Music interpretation of Haydn symphony 101 2nd Movement “The

Clock”.

The second movement start with a tempo marking Andante which is around 76bpm-89bpm in
metronome. While in the score, we are able to notice the note value is small in melody line
that begin at bar 2 which sounds too fast to play in tempo 76bpm-89bpm. This leading to
consider a much slower tempo apply to the Andante. Going into the first ten bars, Bassoon,
Violin 2, cello and bass playing quaver that marked with Staccato on bassoon and Pizzicato
on strings. This showed the character of the clock with second hand which keeping the time
precisely. While the melody using the dotted rhythm to make contrast with the rhythm
section and the chromatic was used at bar 5 to return to the fifth of the tonic chord. Next,
from bar 11 to bar 24. From bar 11, we are able to notice the rhythm section change a little bit
with changing Pizzicato to Arco, different dynamics used and alternate to play the quavers
between violin 2 and bass. We are able to notice the used of D major scale, with the different
scale used we can imagine that is that the composer intended to change the mood of the
section and decide to choose a suitable tone quality for the section. Next, bar 25 to bar 35, the
G major scale, staccato and pizzicato rhythm section are bringing back to the music. What
make difference is the dynamic goes to pianissimo and the theme develop. Next, bar 36 to bar
64, the main key being G minor and Bb Major. As the key changed to minor key at bar 36,
the dynamic marking is Forte and more instruments added in to this section, I assume that
composer wanted it to be heavy and thick texture. Although, there is only six bars of it and it
change to major key again. But still mean a lot to the mood changes. At bar 42, Bb major was
used and at this point we able to notice demisemiquaver used to increase the excitement and
prepare to the loudest section at bar 52. Next, bar 65 to bar 100, the melody continues to
develop. Next, bar 101 to bar 152, the melody was written in different key which is Eb major
with violin1 as melody, flute as decoration purpose and woodwinds hold the long note. In this
texture I interpret it as thin or lighter texture and not to over force on the sound. While the
chord used in 107 was contrasted to the light texture. The main theme appears again at bar
114, this time the theme is variant. Which sextuplet was added to the theme and the piece end
in tonic chord G major .