Page 19


Ex. 18

At bar 123 Beethoven introduces a prime example of tension and release.  The tension is caused by placing the rhythmic emphasis on the second and third beats for five measures followed by four measures of forced 2-step by pounding every other beat, another instance of metric ambiguity.  The tension is heightened by the dissonant chords.  Release is threefold.  First, the dynamic change from fortissimo to piano. Second, immediately after the two step flogging he returns to the gentle triple meter.  Third, the harmony becomes triadic in the dominant.

       


Development      Recapitulation      Coda      Main Menu      Analysis Menu      Thematic Index

© beethovenseroica.com