Mozart String Quartet Analysis

Sam Hardy Rough Draft Mozart Minuet
John Murphree
Mozarts Minuet and Trio for String Quartet contains many different examples of great
composition. He uses good form to outline the layout of both his Minuet and his Trio, making it easy for
the listener to understand. He uses various harmonic progressions that are interesting to the listeners
ear. He uses harmonic rhythm to end his phrases. Finally, his ornamentation adds to the composition
and serves to make the music both enjoyable and distinguishably Mozartian.
Both Mozarts Minuet and his Trio are written in an ABA rondeau form. The Minuet begins with
the below 8 measures, which make up the A section.
These eight measures serve as the first subject of the Minuet. Mozart keeps this section
relatively simple; the lack of accidentals and faster rhythms (the fastest rhythm is eight notes, and
theres only two of them) keeps the beginning of the minuet easy to digest by the listener. In the B
section, seen below, Mozart gets slightly more complex.
In the B section, Mozart starts out by trading the melody between different voicesthe melody
in the first measures starts with the two violins, but by the third beat the melody is taken by the viola.
Mozart lengthens the B sections as wellit is now 12 measures as opposed to 8. Mozart adds harmonic
complexity, modulating keys 4th, 5th, 7th, and 11th bar in the example. He also adds more rhythm, seen in
the breaking up of the melody in the first measure, as well as the addition of more eighth notes
throughout this section. After getting the listeners attention in the A section, he starts to add more of
his artistry and individuality into the B section, and showcases his compositional talent in this part of the
minuet. However, Mozart ends the piece by repeating the first section again, as to leave the listener on
an easy note.
Mozarts use of harmony and modulation of key signatures is showcased in his trio. Mozarts
Trio is written in C major. His A section, shown below, is entirely in this key.
The harmony in the A section is quite standard. The only complex part is seen in measures 3 and
4, in which the Roman numeral analysis is vi and iii for the two measures, respectively. This two measure
excursion from standard harmonic progression teases the listeners ears into thinking that the piece is
going to go into the relative minor keyhowever, Mozart goes right back to the standard chords used in
C Major with a IV chord in measure 5.
In his B section, though, Mozart modulates to the dominantG major. Below, we can see that
his B section is littered with F sharpsthere are 6 F sharps in only 8 bars of music. Mozart does this to
give the B section of the trio a much different and almost separate feel to the A section of the trio.
Mozart uses harmonic rhythm to make noticeable changes between the Minuet and the Trio. In
his Minuet, Mozart uses simpler harmonic rhythms in his themes. For example, in the A section of the
Minuet seen below, Mozart uses mostly quarter notes in his melody. This makes his melody seem slow
and sweet.
In the Trio, however, Mozart uses much faster rhythms throughout. In the B section below, we
see 16th notes and 32nd notes for the first time throughout the entire piece. Additionally, we see
sweeping straight eighth notes melodies in measures of 5 and 6 of the B section. These rhythms are
much faster than those of the Minuet, and serve to differentiate between the two movements.
Finally, Mozart adds various ornamentations to make his pieces more interesting. For example,
we see trills followed by two 32nd notes that are the 6th and 7th degrees in a V chord, which are all
followed by a I chord. This is seen twice, in the two measures show below.
Mozart also uses grace notes to showcase his unique style. By adding grace notes to the melody
in the 3rd measure of the excerpt shown below, Mozart takes his simple melody and gives it some spice.
Yet, it is still easily digestible by the average listener. This is the epitome of Mozarts style; Mozart adds
little gestures that are interesting and excited to the trained musical ear, yet keeps the simplicity that
makes his music so accessible to the casual listener.
In his Minuet and Trio, Mozart uses form, harmonic progressions, rhythmic variations, and
ornamentation to make his composition come to life. By doing this, Mozart created just one of the many
brilliant compositions that he composed in his day.

Mozart String Quartet Analysis

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How does Mozart use form in his Minuet and Trio?

How does Mozart use harmony and modulation in his Trio?

Sam Hardy Rough Draft Mozart Minuet

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