Bernard Herrmann: 'The Murder'

Melody:
Name the intervals that appear in this cue. (3)

Semitones, tritones, major 7ths

Structure:
What is the structure of this cue defined by?

Two 8-bar sections, 21-bar coda

Tonality:
What is the overall tonality of this cue?

Atonal

Melody:
How does the melodic material in this cue elevate the tension and brutality of the murder?

Lack of discernible melody

Melody:
How is the stabbing emphasised in the melody?

Repeated pitches

Harmony:
What kind of chords appear in this cue?

Cluster chords

Texture:
What is the texture of this cue?

Homophonic

Texture:
How does the texture develop in this cue?

Gradually thickens

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
What tempo marking is given (and what does it mean)?

Molto Forzando e feroce (very focused and furious)

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
What is the time signature?

3/2

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
Describe the rhythm during the stabbing. (2)

On-beat, repeated

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
Describe the rhythm in the lower strings during the coda.

Off-beat

Rhythm, Tempo & Metre:
Describe the overall rhythm of the coda.

Syncopation

Sonority:
What performance marking is given for the strings (and how does this affect their timbre)?

8va (high register)

Sonority:
What two techniques do the violins and violas alternate between?

Arco and pizzicato

Sonority:
How is the stabbing echoed in the performance directions?

Down-bow markings

Sonority:
Which performance marking is given in the second 8-bar section?

Glissando

Sonority:
How is this cue different to the others when it comes to string techniques (and what performance marking indicates that)?

No mutes (senza sordini)