C Hob Viia Essay

Concerto in C, Hob. VIIa:1 Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

Allegro Moderato

Joseph Haydn spent much of his life as a court musician for the wealthy Esterházy family. His music circulated widely and became one of the most celebrated composers in Europe. Moreover, his contribution to musical form has earned him the “Father of the Symphony”.

The Violin Concerto in C, Hob VIIa:1 by Haydn was composed in between 1761 to 1765. This concerto is scored for strings, harpsichord and continuo and to be composed for a well-known violinist at the time Luigi Tomasini, the concertmaster. It begins energetically and regally, as one would expect from its C major tonality, the solo part has wide melodic leaps, long strings of harmonic sequences, and frequent arpeggiation. The opening and closing sections are built on a simple rising idea in the violin part, supported by a repetitive accompaniment which giving crescendos to a climax along with the soloist. The central section is sweetly

The movement can be divided into three sections with the first and the third in tonic major, i.e. C major, and the second in dominant major, i.e. G major. The there sections are all energetic powerful, pronouncing at the beginning of a passage. These openings are followed by a more lyrical passage which is composed of series of sequential patterns. Tutti is placed between each section, which also suggests the modulation between the first and the second, the second and the third section. The three sections start with the same theme while the second and third have modification based on the idea of the first section. The openings of all three sections, as they are of the same theme in same pattern, are all energetic powerful, pronouncing the beginning of a passage. These openings are followed by a more lyrical passage which is composed of series of sequential