Mannheim rocket
English composer
Definition
A rapidly ascending arpeggio figure, typically forte and in unison, associated with the Mannheim orchestra style of the 1770s. Mozart absorbed this gesture early and it appears in several sonata expositions.
Interpretive Guidance
Play Mannheim rockets with a decisive upward sweep and a strong rhythmic impulse on the first note. The figure should feel propulsive and exciting — a launch rather than a scale.