Aspects of musical structure in the secco recitatives of Mozart

The purpose of this study was to analyze the harmonic and melodic structural aspects of the secco recitatives in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Cosi fan Tutte. Each recitative was analyzed linearly with regard to the use of the harmony as part of either a structural key-confirming progression or a prolongation in which the harmony elaborates or expands the underlying progression. Melodic structure was examined with regard to the use of melodic pitches as tones supporting the basic harmonic outline of the structural progression.

The majority of the recitatives outline harmonic progressions based on the fundamental I-V-I progression. Other recitatives outline nonharmonic, contrapuntal progressions. Each recitative serves to harmonically prepare for the key of the aria or ensemble immediately following the recitative by confirming a key related to the key of the following musical number-usually the tonic or dominant.

The recitatives may be elaborated, extended, and embellished through the process of prolongation. Prolongation may be accomplished either harmonically or contrapuntally. The examination of the procedures of structure and prolongation provides one interpretation of the musical structures in Mozart's secco recitatives.