Midway into this movement, a loud arrival of the tonic in first-inversion tied triplets yields to stringendo descending scales and an abrupt false ending in the Neapolitan, C major. Trombones begin a 3-octave ascent from F-sharp and hand off to trumpets reaching high G at this movement’s climax. After a soft tam-tam hit in this movement, stopped French horns buzz an F-sharp pedal, then a funereal low brass chorale dies away. A half-diminished Tristan sonority opens this movement, and in a stereo effect, (*) first and second violins trade off each note of the descending melody. The G major scherzo preceding this movement evolves into a triumphant march that often invites premature applause. This mold-breaking movement ends softly, taking a contrasting role in place of a limping waltz. For 10 points, name this anguished last symphonic movement by a Russian composer who died of cholera 9 days after its premiere. ■END■
ANSWER: finale of the Pathétique Symphony [or Adagio lamentoso; accept Adagio or slow or last or fourth or final movement in place of “finale”; accept Symphony No. 6 in B minor by Tchaikovsky in place of “Pathétique”]
<OL, Classical Music and Opera>
= Average correct buzz position