HAYDN SEMINAR - TAKE-HOME MIDTERM

(S-10)

Due 29 March

I'd like you to write two short essays – one on a topic having to do with Haydn's life and works, one on an analytical topic. Each essay should be 3-5 typed pages. For the L & W essay you should consult the sources assigned for class (Robbins-Landon, New Groves, Brown, et al) and cite those sources when appropriate. You can consult (and cite) other sources if really necessary, but try not to make this a research paper. For the analytical topic please refer to specific passages by measure number, so I can follow your argument. Xerox examples would also work (don't include them in your page count).

Choose your topics from the following (one from each set):

A-1. Compare the development sections in three sonata-form movements from the string quartets that we covered in class. Consider things like: the opening gesture (right after the double bar), the succession of keys and the proportion of time spent in various keys, "false" recaps, the approach to the (true) recap, treatment of themes in the development, instrumental textures, fugato and counterpoint, surprises! Try to find three movements that offer contrasting procedures for you to discuss.

A-2. Compare instrumental textures in symphonies that Haydn wrote for Eszterházy Kapelle with symphonies that he wrote for Paris and London. Choose examples from symphonies that we covered in class. Consider things like: what instruments are used, standard vs. novel scorings, relation of scoring to thematic material, distinctive scorings in different movements, use of solo instruments, changes in texture not related to scoring, surprises! Discuss whether the scorings and procedures in the Eszterházy symphonies are consistently different from those in the Paris and London symphonies. If you think that there are more similarities than differences, then discuss that.

L&W-1. Discuss Haydn's relations with Prince Nikolaus and how they changed over the 29 years that Haydn worked for the Prince. Be explicit about the sources of information that we have about their relationship, and acknowledge as necessary what we don't know.

L&W-2. Discuss the circumstances that produced Haydn's keyboard music, especially the sonatas and trios. For whom did he compose various works, for which instruments, for performance in which milieux? How did these circumstances change over the course of Haydn's career? Do we hear these changes in his works (give examples)?

Don't feel obliged to answer every question I ask above about a topic. You'll do better to address each of your topics with questions of your own and make a coherent argument. And remember to cite your sources – both secondary sources and scores.

If you have questions about these topics or anything else about this exam, write me an Email. I'll be in town for most of spring break.