In a manner akin to a traditional sonata-allegro form, Tchaikovsky meticulously develops and recapitulates all the themes. The incorporation of juxtaposition and orchestration effectively amplifies the tension, heightening the climactic moments of Themes A and B. Through the use of imitation and an echo effect, Tchaikovsky skillfully interposes different choirs within the orchestra. Additionally, he employs varying orchestrations of the main themes to further accentuate their impact during the recapitulation phase. Imitation is employed to gradually intensify the lead-up to the initial occurrence of Theme A. This imitative aspect contrasts with the distinct nature of Theme A itself. Unlike the preceding build-ups to the subsequent instances of Theme…
In measures 78-85, the strings are echoed by the woodwinds, while the melody is played by the cellos in the treble clef. This creates tension with the cellos in this register, especially with the tremolo in the timpani. The woodwinds play the same harmony in a higher register, releasing tension from the strings. In measures 90-96, the woodwinds play a four quarter note motive in octaves, which is imitated by the horns and violas. However, the horns have a more dominant presence.
The tension from previous passages is not entirely resolved, resulting in a particular cadence. Measures 104-111 feature strings imitating woodwind harmony in a lower register, effectively separating the two choirs with distinct timbres. This leads to the first appearance of Theme A. To lead up to the repetition of Theme A, mitotic material from Theme A is used in an imitative manner. In measures 122-125, the piccolo, flutes, and clarinets imitate the first violins. The woodwinds play an octave and two octaves above the violins, incorporating material from the latter part of Theme A and altering it.
In measures 126-134, the cellos and basses engage in a variation of Theme A through a round technique with the piccolo, flutes (in octaves), and oboes (also in octaves). This leads to the imitation of shortened material resembling measures 122-125. Measures 135-143 witness the piccolo, flutes, and clarinets imitating the second violins and subsequently the first violins. Although the harmonies change every half measure, the overall motion and rhythm remain similar. By measure 142, both choirs play in unison as they gradually build up to the sword fight material. Comparable material is utilized to introduce alterations to Theme B.
The purpose of this passage is to create a relaxed atmosphere and introduce the theme of love, using the material to release tension. In measures 164-169, the flutes are imitated by the clarinets, resulting in a lack of tension due to their similar timbres. In measures 170-180, the bassoons are imitated by the cellos and basses. Similar to the previous imitation, the blending timbres of the bassoons and low strings create a peaceful effect despite being in different sections of the orchestra. This imitative technique is employed with Theme A material to smoothly transition back to Theme A.
In measures 273-277, the strings play a truncated and octave version of Theme A, while the woodwinds in a higher register echo the strings and incorporate the rhythmic material from Theme A. The flutes, oboes, and clarinets imitate the trumpet and trombones in measures 285-292 and 307-314, marking the first time that brass, other than the horns, are used in an imitative manner. Although they share the same rhythm, they outline different harmonies. This imitative technique is employed to drive the passage forward by outlining a chord progression.
From measures 20 to 325, Theme A is divided among various sections of the orchestra. The cellos and basses begin by using material from the buildup to the repeat of Theme A and the preceding material of Theme B. Next, the violins and violas play the first half of the initial measure of Theme A in a very low pitch range. Simultaneously, the woodwinds and horns play the second half of that measure at a higher pitch level. Moving on to measure 326-330, rhythmic motives derived from Theme A are combined in a round with the second violins, violas, cellos, and basses, and then followed by the flutes, oboes, clarinets, and horns.
Once again, the strings are performing in their lower ranges while the woodwinds are performing in their higher ranges. The thematic material from Theme B is utilized in an imitative manner, serving as a buildup to the combined section of Theme A and B. Specifically, measures 420-428 feature the cellos and first bassoon being imitated by the flutes and first oboe. Notably, the cellos are playing in the higher register of the treble clef, resulting in a strained sound that generates significant tension. Similarly, the bassoons, located on ledger lines above the bass clef, produce a thin sound that matches the tension found in the cellos.
The sound of the flutes and oboe is much less tense, effectively contrasting the preceding tension. From measures 439 to 433, the flutes, oboes, and clarinets imitate the four horns. This imitative section is similar to the preceding one, but the different registers of the instruments give it a stronger sensation. The piercing register of the flutes, oboes, and clarinets allows them to cut through the high string texture. At the same time, the horns are in a register that enables them to play with clarity and power. Theme A is repeated once in its first occurrence, but not repeated in the second or third occurrences.
During the third, only the initial segment is performed but then expanded upon to create suspense. The initial repetition and the subsequent instance possess richer arrangements with increased percussion. This results in these instances being more climactic compared to the first and final occasions. In the first segment of the initial instance (m. 114), there are no percussion instruments (except timpani), trumpets, trombones, or tuba, and all instruments are played loudly. The second segment solely consists of strings, while the third part features the first violins playing the melody alongside woodwinds, horns, and the remaining strings providing the harmonic background.
In general, the string instruments typically play in lower registers while the woodwind instruments are more comfortable in higher registers. In both the first and second occurrences (m. 151 and 353) of the repeated section, everything is played loudly (fortissimo), with the addition of trumpets, trombones, tuba, bass drum, and cymbals. The timpani also has a more active role during this section. The higher woodwind instruments play slightly higher in their registers, while the violins play an octave higher. The inclusion of the brass instruments fills the middle register and enables the violins and woodwinds to play in higher registers. The presence of percussion greatly enhances the energy of this passage.
The first part of the piece creates a fuller sound. In the second part, the string and woodwinds play the main motives in octaves, while the brass accent the occasional eighth note. Moving on to the third part, both violins and violas play the melody, with the rest of the orchestra providing the harmonic background. In the first part of the third occurrence (m. 446), everything is played fortissimo, there are no cymbals to accent beat three, and the flutes and piccolo play at a higher pitch, while the brass play at a lower pitch. The orchestration of Theme A becomes denser as the piece reaches its climax.
The piece achieves its tension through the harmonious theme and its rhythmic nature. Theme B stands out with its engaging orchestration, as each occurrence and repetition features a different orchestration. In the first occurrence, which is in Db major, the melody is played by the solo English horn and muted violins. The basses and cellos play with pizza technique, accompanied by sustained notes from the first bassoon. Additionally, three horns provide a quietly syncopated harmony. As the theme develops and repeats, the melody is carried by the flutes and oboes in octaves, while the basses and cellos continue with pizza technique. The lower woodwinds contribute sustained harmony in the background. Furthermore, new elements are introduced when the first horn plays a countermanded in its upper register and the violins and violas produce eighth note harmonic figures. In the second repeat, which occurs in D major at measure 235, clarinets join the flutes and oboes on the melody, while the English horn and bassoons maintain sustained harmony. The basses and cellos play an arcos bass line that is doubled by a tenor trombone. The strings enrich the texture with a similar eighth note figure, and another horn is added to enhance the melodious section.
In the first instance, Theme A is characterized by an increase in density in the high woodwinds, both in terms of melodic and harmonic texture. Additionally, the arrival of the horn adds to its growing presence. In the second occurrence (m. 389), the melody is played by the violins, violas, cellos, and piccolo, while sustained harmony and a bass line are provided by the bassoons, lower two horns, tuba, and basses. The top two horns continue with the countermanded, while the flutes, oboes, clarinets, and English horn add a new texture consisting of triplet eighth notes. During the repeat of the second occurrence (m. 1), the melody is performed by the violins, violas, cellos, first flute, clarinets, and bassoons. The remaining woodwinds introduce a triplet harmony. Furthermore, sustained harmony is played by the first trumpet, trombones, tuba, and basses, while all four horns perform the countermanded in octaves. To enhance tension, a rolled bass drum is included. The second occurrence features the strings finally taking on the melody along with a newly introduced texture. The strings notably the cellos – are playing in a very high register which creates significant tension. Additionally, tension is generated by the harmony and register of the countermanded horns.
