Mozart, <span class="booktitle">Eine kleine Nachtmusik</span>, K. 525, II.

Section 15.2 Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525, II.

The second movement of Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik is a five-part rondo form (ABACA).

Let us examine the elements of music in the first section (the A section).

Figure 15.2.1.

Notice how Mozart expresses the various musical elements:

Table 15.2.2. A Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Harmony	The key is C major 🔗
Rhythm	The 8th note is most common rhythmic value, though the phrase begins with quarter-note values 🔗
Texture	The top two instruments are grouped together against a simple bass part 🔗
Articulation	Generally legato 🔗
Dynamics	Soft
Register	Neither extremely high nor low 🔗

Here is the beginning of the second section (the B section):

Figure 15.2.3. B Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Here are the most noticeable differences:

Table 15.2.4. B Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Rhythm	8th notes are the most common rhythmic value, with some 16th-note runs 🔗
Texture	All four voices move in the same rhythm at the beginning of each subphrase 🔗
Articulation	Four staccato notes start each subphrase 🔗

Now, look at the beginning of the next contrasting section (the C section):

Figure 15.2.5. C Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik

The following elements are noticeably changed:

Table 15.2.6. C Section, Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Harmony	This section begins in C minor 🔗
Rhythm	The accompaniment moves in 16th notes and the ornamentation of the second melody note (the turn) in the outer parts sounds as four 32nd notes 🔗
Texture	The middle two parts (Violin II and Viola) are paired together and the Violin I and Cello/Bass part engage in imitation 🔗
Articulation	The middle parts are played in a “separated” manner (more staccato than legato) and the motive in the outer voices starts with a staccato note 🔗

Listen to how Mozart puts the entire form together, including transitional material to smooth out the changes from one section to another.

Figure 15.2.7. Formal Diagram of Second Movement, Eine kleine Nachtmusik