Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

Figure 8. 5 The digitized waveform profile of Brahms Violin Concerto, 2nd
movement
The DW-profile is in many ways close to the Intensity Profile: the climax is the same,
and the three major shifts in intensity level are also located the same places. However,
there are important differences: The “peak point“ indicated at the Calando is not
reflected in the DW, as it is pp, and the intensity level of the B-section (higher than A
and C) is not reflected in the ‘mechanical’ profile.
The Intensity Profile with cues make it clear that the music is composed of three
interconnected, yet rather different sections. The tonally stable, lyric-yearning first
section leads directly – and rather unexpectedly (B2, bar 46) – into the second section
characterized by the initial building of dynamic tension and rather turbulent episodes
(changing levels of dynamics and tension, alternation between major and minor,
dramatic and passionate expression of the solo violin). The tonal and dynamic
stability returns, and the movement finds a perfect balance and rest in the third section
which has the character of a synthesis: the two solo instruments play together in
dialogue (leading or accompanying the other, obbligato), and in the orchestral
accompaniment we hear both the wind chorus of the first section and the string chorus
of the second.
Even if Brahms included a certain ambiguity of form in this movement – it can be
heard as a movement in ternary form (ABA’) or as a set of variations – this analysis
points at a division in three sections with the most prominent transitions in bars 46
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