Music Research Paper

Justin Howell
MUSC-132-02- Music Appreciation

17 November 2020
Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, I

Music is a form of art universally appreciated and respected by the world because of
its power to inspire and move the masses. Throughout the worlds history musical eras have
come and gone but have not died in the past. The classical period of music that was alive
roughly 1750-1830 and was a landmark era in musical history; numerous famous works
created during this era continue to be enjoyed and played by listeners all over the world today.
One of the most widely recognized and actively played works from this era is Eine Kleine
Nachtmusik. Although the other three movements within this piece of work are masterpieces,
the first movement is much more significant due to its reflection and impact on society,
music, and culture of the classical period.
Following the transition from the Baroque Era to the Classical/ Romantic period,
society in South Central Europe began to experience an “Age of Enlightenment.” This birth of
new ideals and schools of thought caused a shift in culture, and in response, the music scene
evolved as well. Due to this newfound classicism that Europe developed for the arts, the idea
of music being something that can be written for enjoyment and entertainment purposes
became normalized. As a result, Composers in the classical period inevitably abandoned the
complex polyphonic musical textures popularized during the Baroque period and sought to
create works with clearer and lighter homophonic textures, which often included the use of
counterpoint and contrasting moods in it’s structure. In contrast to the dramatic and direct style
of baroque music, classical music emphasized balance and elegance.
Wolfgang Mozart was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant composers to ever live
and his musical talent shined in every masterpiece he brought to life. As a child Mozart was a
Justin Howell
17 November 2020
musical prodigy immersed in a musical environment due to his father being a musician
himself, so he spent his entire childhood playing and creating music. Before he reached the
age of five years old, he was creating and composing his own music, and by his early teenage
years he had already established himself as a musical genius with numerous works under his
belt. He became a big name in the music scene during his early thirties because by this time
he had composed masterpieces in numerous musical genres and was one of the only
composers to accomplish this. His versatility gained him recognition from music lovers in all
social classes, giving him a successful career.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik was written by Wolfgang Mozart in 1787 but was not
published until years later due to Mozart being busy writing other works at the time. But
Thirty-one years after Mozart’s untimely death in 1791, his work comprised of four
movements and was published in 1822. It did not take very long for it to become widely
successful and highly regarded amongst the public because of its majestic sound. Its sonata-
allegro form provided great entertainment for listeners since it incorporated the use of
contrasting keys, which added a richness to the sound through variety. Higher class audiences
favored the first movement because the tonal structure of it was similar to other instrumental
works of the classical period in that its texture was homophonic, which was embraced by
aristocratic culture due to its simplicity being considered graceful and fashionable in taste.
Belonging to the category of chamber music, which comprised of the two subgenres
divertimento and serenade, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik I specifically falls into the genre of
serenade. Social gatherings held by wealthier classes were the primary reason the serenade genre
flourished in this time and since the elements of this genre combine symphony with chamber
Justin Howell
17 November 2020
music, it has an elegant sound that aristocratic culture was attracted to. People that listen to this
genre should expect to hear light and calming instrumentals. The title “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”
itself literally translates to “a little light music” in English. This piece also reflects Mozart’s
genius due to the fact it is undoubtedly one of the most popular serenade songs ever created.
The first movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik I is in sonata allegro form, so it consists
of three sections played in allegro. The three sections are the Exposition, development, and
the recapulation. The exposition opens the first movement by displaying the two themes of the
work. The initial theme is an ascending rocket theme that is played both aggressive and
swiftly by violin, followed by the second theme which is played in g major and is more
graceful and elegant. Theme one is designed to grab the attention of the audience with its
aggressive and fast paced style, while theme two satisfies their taste for an elegant or majestic
sound by introducing the second theme.
In a way this movement may relate to the culture that preferred the genre of serenade
music, because the second theme of the song is the sound that listeners were accustomed to
due to this genre mainly being played in fancy social gatherings. However, instead of
allowing this work to be played for the purposes of background music, Mozart forces listeners
to pay attention to the music being played by including the dramatic theme that the work
opens with. This subtle detail makes the listeners appreciate the entire act and give all their
attention and respect that it deserves.
Despite Mozarts career lasting only a few decades, his impact on music in his era and
the ones to follow are legendary. The classicism and classism of the classical period may have
greatly contributed to the success of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik I, but the genius in its
Justin Howell
17 November 2020
composition and structure are the reason it was so widely adored. As centuries have gone on
since its publishing, music has been everchanging and the way it is played has as well.
However even today Eine Kleine Nachtmusik I it still is the most recognized works created by
Mozart and one of the most recognizable works in the world. People of all classes and all
tastes can enjoy this masterpiece anywhere and any way they desire.
Justin Howell
17 November 2020
Bibliography
. “About MOZART's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.” Redlands Symphony, 2020,
www.redlandssymphony.com/pieces/eine-kleine-nachtmusik.
Natalia Kuznetsova, Tidewater Community College. “Music Appreciation.” Lumen, 0AD,
courses.lumenlearning.com/musicappreciation_with_theory/chapter/overview-of-the-
classical-era/.
Forney, Kristine, et al. “Expanding the Conversation: Mozart, Chamber Music, and Larger
Forms.” The Enjoyment of Music, edited by Chris Freitag, thirteenth edition ed., W.W
Norton & Company, 2018, pp. 181–185.

Justin Howell
17 November 2020

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Justin Howell

MUSC-132-02- Music Appreciation

Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, I

music, and culture of the classical period.

of baroque music, classical music emphasized balance and elegance.

social classes, giving him a successful career.

sound by introducing the second theme.

attention and respect that it deserves.

. “About MOZART's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.” Redlands Symphony, 2020,

Natalia Kuznetsova, Tidewater Community College. “Music Appreciation.” Lumen, 0AD,

Norton & Company, 2018, pp. 181–185.

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