American Beauty- Music For Media

What is the structure of this piece?

Consists of one distinct musical section based on a simple motif, contrasted with shorter contrasting harmonic transitional phrases

What is the tonality of this piece?

C Dorian

Of the first nine chords, how many are full chords?

Only one- it’s major

Describe the rhythm of the melodic material

Long note values- moves in crochets mainly. Reflective character

Describe the metre of this piece?

It changes frequently includes 4/4, 5/4, ¾ and 6/4

What gives the melodic material its dance-like character?

The acciaccaturas

How does the piece begin?

With ambient drone sounds on an open 5th

Describe the main timbres used

Piano, strings and ambient synth drones, which evolve and distort through use of effects

Describe the timbre of the transitional chord sections

Strings only

What is the harmony of the first transitional chord section?

Eb, Ab, Cm7, Fsus2( much fuller chords with more expressive dissonance)

How does the second chord transition differ from the first?

It is more bare. Less full chords

What may the time signature change represent?

The random dancing of the plastic bag

Describe the piano voicings

3 note voicings with wide intervals

What is the direction of both transitional sections?

Ascending( transcendent?)

Which interval does Newman find ‘heavenly’?

Augmented 4th/tritone

Which note is suggested as the tonic during the transition chords?

Eb

What do the transition chords underscore?

Moments of transcendence in the narration

Which moment of conflict is underscored by this theme?

Jamie’s argument with mum, who hits her. Jamie looks at her face in mirror and then out the window, where she sees Ricky watching- transcends the difficult moment

Which moment of fear is underscored by this theme?

Jamie undressing in front of Ricky

She is unhappy with her body but transcends this fear in this moment

What is the final moment in the film when we hear this music?

During Lester’s death scene and when his body is found by Ricky and Jamie