AMusTCL – Topics for Section B

Taken from the past papers (2009 sample, 2010 and 2011 so far), here are a list of the topics which have been covered by previous essay questions in Section B: Stylistic Development – Set Works.

Schubert Symphony no 5 in Bb major

• Relationship to music which came before and after
• Treatment of sonata form
• Chamber-like nature
• Hallmarks of the classical symphony
• Markers of later symphonic form

Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms

• Novelty of orchestral features
• Use of orchestration to provide colour
• The setting of the text
• Innovation in the music
• Neo-classicism
• Latin as a language choice

For details of the full questions, the past papers can be purchased from Trinity. I have no insider knowledge, so this is by no means a guarantee that these topics will come up again. However, it should give an idea of what kind of areas to focus on in preparing.

I hope this is helpful if you are preparing for this exam. I’m hoping to get a resources post up soon with links to websites I’ve found useful.