Mozart: Minuet and Trio from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Composer and Context

Mozart wrote the work known as “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” in 1787.
This piece is a Serenade; light, multi-movement music typically intended for evening entertainment.

Structure

“Minuet and Trio” is the third movement of this multi-movement work.
The piece is in a Ternary (ABA) form. Characterised by two contrasting sections (A - Minuet, B - Trio), followed by a return of the first section (A).
The Minuet section presents a graceful and elegant dance, typical in music of the Classical period.
The Trio section is lighter and provides contrast to the Minuet.

Key Features and Techniques

The time signature is 3/4, which is characteristic of both the Minuet and Trio.
The key structure of the Minuet is G major - D major - G major, while the Trio is in D major.
The Minuet uses homophonic texture (melody plus accompaniment), while the Trio incorporates a more polyphonic texture (multiple melodic lines).
The piece features contrapuntal passages, where two or more independent melodic lines are combined.
The melody is characterised by systematic use of motifs — short musical ideas developed over the course of the movement.
Mozart employs a variety of dynamics to express his musical ideas, with frequent use of forte and piano markings for contrast.
Conventional Cadences (Authentic, Half, Plagal) are used to confirm key areas. Listen out for these as they punctuate the musical structure.

Instrumentation

The piece is scored for a typical Classical period string quartet: two violins, viola and cello, with the addition of a double bass.

Remember: A familiarity with these features not only helps in identifying the individual qualities of this piece by Mozart, but also gives insight into the wider characteristics of music from the Classical Period.