Movement 2: Un Ball - Structure

General Overview of Movement 2: Un Ball

• Title: Un Ball ("A Ball").
• Mood: Light, elegant, and dance-like, representing a lively ball scene in the protagonist's dream.
• Form: Waltz, in ternary form (ABA), typical of Romantic dance movements.
• Key: A major.
• Time Signature: 3/8, evoking the swirling motion of a waltz.

Structural Breakdown

Section A (Bars 1–92)

• Theme: The waltz theme is introduced by the strings, creating a graceful and lively atmosphere.
• Features:
  • Use of pizzicato strings and harp, enhancing the elegance and delicacy of the texture.
  • Flowing melodies played by violins evoke the protagonist's experience of the ball.
  • Swirling accompaniment in the woodwinds and strings mirrors the spinning motion of the dance.

Section B (Bars 93–158)

• Mood Change: A more introspective and lyrical passage, contrasting with the lightness of Section A.
• Idée Fixe: The theme representing the protagonist's beloved appears briefly in the flute and oboe, reflecting the intrusion of his obsessive thoughts during the ball.
• Orchestration: Softer dynamics and thinner textures emphasise the dreamlike and personal quality of this section.

Return to Section A (Bars 159–223)

• Theme: The waltz theme from Section A returns, but with richer orchestration.
• Features:
  • Enhanced instrumentation, with more interplay between strings and winds.
  • Builds towards a more vibrant and celebratory conclusion, reflecting the lively spirit of the ball.

Coda (Bars 224–248)

• Conclusion: A sparkling and energetic ending.
• Features:
  • Harp glissandi and bright woodwind flourishes add brilliance to the final bars.
  • A light and playful conclusion brings the movement to a graceful close.

Key Structural Features

• Ternary Form: Balanced structure (ABA) with contrasting central section.
• Idée Fixe: Appears briefly in Section B, weaving the narrative thread of the symphony into the dance setting.
• Waltz Style: The rhythmic emphasis of 3/8 time creates a swirling, dance-like motion throughout.
• Orchestration: Harp, pizzicato strings, and light woodwinds evoke the elegant and vibrant setting of a Romantic ball.