One
example of this can be found in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41
“Jupiter.” In the finale of this work, Mozart combines the classical era’s
symphonic style with Baroque characteristics by beginning with a theme taken
from a famous book, Gradus ad Parnassum written by the famous Baroque music
theorist Fux. He then follows this with his own themes that climax at the very
end of the movement in a 5-voice fugue.
The
complexity of this feat is overwhelming. Weaving this number of independent
musical themes together to simultaneously create music that actually “works”
and sounds incredible is simply phenomenal.
Tonight’s
6 o’clock symphony features Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter.” When it arrives
at the finale, listen carefully to hear these various themes come back in the
conclusion, working together as a fugue.
What
do you think of this work? Do you enjoy the technique of combining modern forms
in music with features from the past?
