defying gravity-introduction

What is Glinda's opening chord?

What is Glinda's opening chord?

D major

How are Glinda's opening words performed?

They are more spoken than sung. This is represented by the cross heads on the notes.

Name four instrument families that play the opening chord.

Brass, woodwind, keyboards and drum-kit

What does 'colla voce' mean?

It means that the musicians must follow the voice. The singer will dictate the tempo and flow of the music.

What is the opening dynamic of the introduction?

Forte (loud) but the opening chords are marked with a strong accent (sf) sforzando.

The first three sentences 'I hope you're happy,I hope you're happy now, I hope you're happy how you' are based on what melodic device?

A descending sequence.

How are the lines 'hurt your cause forever' and 'I hope you think you're clever' similar and different?

They are similar in the fact that they are based on a rising sequence so the rhythm and melodic shape is almost identical between them with 'I hope you think you're clever' moved up a step. However,the interval at the end of each phrase is different.'Hurt your cause forever' ends with a perfect 5th whereas, 'I hope you think you're clever' ends with a minor 6th.

What is Elphaba's opening chord?

Db major

Why do you think Schwartz has chosen the two different key centres for the two characters?

D major ands Db major when played together would cause the greatest dissonance and clashing.This is done intentionally to show that the two witches are fighting/arguing against one another.

How do the opening chords and the harmony used select the relationship between the two witches?

The chords are played as short separate chords with a strong sforzando accent creating a loud aggressive sound. The harmony used for each chord descends chromatically creating constantly shifting, tonally unstable music reflecting the volatile nature of the scene.

What new instrument is aded during Elphaba's section of the introduction?

Electric guitar with overdrive.

What is the texture of the introduction and what early musical style is it similar to?

The texture of the opening is homophonic as the music is based around a chordal accompaniment with a clear melody based around the harmony. The way in which the music is performed with a single chord and then no real accompaniment while the voice sings is similar to the recitative section of an opera.

At the end of the introduction, the two witches sing together. What word best describes the way they sing?

They are singing in unison as they both sing the same notes at the same time.

What has changed in the accompaniment style when they both sing together?

The accompaniment becomes longer sustained chords.

What instrument and technique is used to add a sense of drama at the end of the introduction between 'I hope you're happy' and 'right now'?

The drum kit is used to play a drum roll.

What cadence is used at the end of the introduction to move into the andante section?

A perfect cadence (V7-I)