The Western Classical Tradition overview: the symphony and set works in WJEC A-Level Music

This overview maps WJEC A-Level Music Area of Study A, the Western Classical Tradition, the compulsory area of the Appraising exam. It studies the development of the symphony from 1750 to 1900 through two set works, and it teaches the harmony, structure and orchestration you analyse in the exam.

What this area of study tests

Area of Study A focuses on the development of the symphony 1750 to 1900. You study how the symphony grew from the balanced Classical model into the larger, more expressive early Romantic symphony, and you analyse two set works in detail. The exam tests this through listening, analysis and essay questions on the set works and on the genre.

The set works

1. Haydn, Symphony No. 104 in D major, the London Symphony. A model late-Classical symphony: a slow introduction into a sonata-form allegro, a lyrical slow movement, a minuet and trio, and a vigorous finale.
2. Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 in A major, the Italian Symphony. An early Romantic symphony that keeps the four-movement plan but adds energy, lyricism and a programmatic Italian flavour, ending with a whirling saltarello.

At A level you study one symphony in depth (all four movements) and have a general understanding of the other.

The pages in this module

• The development of the symphony 1750 to 1900 - the four-movement plan, sonata form, the growth of the orchestra, and the shift from Classical to Romantic.
• Haydn, Symphony No. 104 (London) - a movement-by-movement set-work analysis.
• Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 (Italian) - a movement-by-movement set-work analysis.
• Harmony and tonality in the symphony - chords, inversions, the four cadences, modulation and the tonic-dominant axis of sonata form.

How to study it

1. Master the genre. Learn how the symphony developed (form, orchestra, style).
2. Know the set works. Study each movement's structure, keys, orchestration and character.
3. Drill harmony and tonality. Recognise chords, inversions, cadences and key relationships by ear and on the score.
4. Practise analysis of extracts. The exam plays unfamiliar passages in the same tradition; describe their elements confidently.
5. Compare the two symphonies. Contrast Classical Haydn with Romantic Mendelssohn to show how the tradition developed.

Where this fits in the exam

The Western Classical Tradition is the compulsory area of study, examined alongside your chosen optional area in the Appraising paper. For the official specification, set works and sample assessments, see wjec.co.uk, and always revise from the current specification because set works and question styles are board-specific.