The Second Movement

The Second Movement

The Second Movement, Giuoco Delle Coppie, is a chain of five dances,

with each new tune presented by pairs of instruments. The movement is

in ternary form (ABA) and is very rhythmic, and there is also a lot of

parallel movement throughout the movement.

The first tune is introduced in bar 9 with the Bassoons in parallel

6ths. In this tune, the phrases end with trills, a typical Baroque

influence.

The second tune comes in in bar 25 with the Oboes a third apart, a

typical Baroque device. This tune is very staccato. In bar 35 there

is a descending staccato sequence in the Oboe part.

Tune three is brought in in bar 45 in the Clarinets. The Clarinets

are playing in parallel 7ths.

In bar 60 the flutes bring in the forth theme a fifth apart. In bar

62 there is an octatonic scale, consisting of alternating tones and

semitones.

Bar 90 sees the introduction of the fifth and final tune. This tune

is played by the Trumpets who are muted and are playing a second

apart. In bar 116 the trumpets have the side drum rhythm from the

opening of the movement. It is a recurring tattoo, very much like a

Baroque Ritornello. The III Trumpet plays a held muted note to end

Section A.

Section B begins at bar 123 with a homophonic Brass Chorale. At the

end of a phrase in a Chorale, there is usually meant to be a pause,

and to achieve that effect in this, Bartok uses tied minims instead.

There is a short question and answer figure starting at bad 158 in the

woodwind, acting as a bridge passage back into the A Section again at

165.

The Bassoons start Section A again with the first tune played a third

apart in I and II Bassoon, and a staccato contrary motion counter

melody in III Bassoon.

The second tune starts in bar 181 in the Oboes, playing a third