Debussy Nuages - 20th century

Describe the form of Nuages

Rotational form

Rotational form

Device developed by Sibelius; repeated cycling through a series of thematic elements that are varied each time

How many themes are in Nuages

2 (X and Y)

How many rotations are in Nuages

Five

Where is Rotation 1, Theme X in Nuages

B. 1 - 4

Describe the metre at the beginning of Nuages

Compound time, two beats in a bar

Describe the top part of the clarinets in b. 1-2

Diatonic of B minor

Describe the metre of the oboe in b. 3 of Nuages

Metric ambiguity, hard to tell if it is simple or compound time

Describe the melody of the cor anglais and clarinet in b. 5

The first 4 notes of the octatonic scale over a G + B dyad

Describe the harmony in b. 7 of Nuages

A suggested G7 over a pedal B in timpani

Where is Rotation 1, Theme Y in Nuages

B. 5 - 10

Where is Rotation 2, Theme X in Nuages

B. 11 - 20

Describe the melody in b. 12 of Nuages

The same melody as Rotation 1 but spread over 3 octaves rather than 2

Describe the harmony and melody in b. 13 of Nuages

A rising chromatic, new material

Describe the harmony in b. 14 - 16 of Nuages

Parallel dominant 9th chords (Bb^9)

Chord in bar 17 of Nuages

G9

Chord in b. 19 of Nuages

Eb^9

Where is Rotation 2, Theme Y in Nuages

B. 21 - 28

Describe the melody in b. 21

Development of the dyad idea from b. 5

What chord is in b. 23-24 of Nuages?

G^7

Where is Rotation 3, Theme X in Nuages

B. 29 - 42

Describe the melody of [[]] in b. 29 of Nuages.

Diatonic of B minor

How does Debussy create contrast in b. 33-35 of Nuages.

The winds play a rising chromatic melody whereas the bassline rises/uses whole tones

How does the role of instruments change in b. 39 of Nuages?

The winds take the rising crotchets from the strings - now in C major

The strings play a tonic Ab pedal

Describe the texture in b. 42 of Nuages

Homorhythmic - all instruments play the crotchet idea

Where is Rotation 3, Theme Y in Nuages

B. 44 - 56

Describe the melody in Rotation 3, Theme Y

Crotchets and off-beats

Based on the G and B dyad

Where is Rotation 4, Theme X in Nuages

B. 57 - 79

Describe the melody b. 57 - 60 of Nuages

Oboe is identical to b. 1-4

Viola melody added

Describe the melody in b. 61 of Nuages

Falling melodic idea from b. 29

Describe the melody in b. 62 of Nuages

Notes of a whole tone scale

Describe the melody at b. 63 of Nuages

Repetition of b. 61

Describe the flutes melody in b. 64 - 66 of Nuages

D# minor pentatonic melody

Describe the harmony in strings at b. 64 - 66 of Nuages

D# minor triad

What key is modulated to in b. 71 - 72 of Nuages

B minor

Describe the melody of b. 71 - 72 of Nuages

Violin, viola and cello solo melody in B minor

Describe the melody of b. 75-76

Pentatonic melody

Where is Rotation 4, Theme Y in Nuages

B. 80 - 93

What chord is in b. 80 of Nuages?

G7 (b. 7)

What chord is in b. 82 of Nuages?

C augmented triad

Describe the melody of b. 82-83 of Nuages

Development of b. 23-24

What does the melody at b. 84 of Nuages resemble?

The dyad idea in b. 5 (it's also a dyad idea but with different notes)

Describe the harmony in b. 86-87 of Nuages

E7 chord

A development if the (G# B) dyad in b. 9-10

Where is Rotation 5, Theme X in Nuages

B. 94 - 98

Describe the melody of Rotation 5

Echoey

Describe the melody in b. 94 of Nuages

Only one bar of the X motif

Where is Rotation 5, Theme Y in Nuages

B. 99 - 102

Describe the melody in b. 99 of Nuages

Fragments of the pentatonic melody of b. 65

Describe the melody of b. 100 of Nuages

The quavers a remnants of the Y motif