Herrman Vertigo Prelude

Music for Media

What is the structure of this piece?

A B 5 and half bar transition

What is the key of this piece?

There is no clear key established

Eb seems to be a tentative home note

How would you describe the melodies in the piece?

There are no clear melodies-rather repeating ostinatos

Describe the movement of the opening ostinatos

Contrary motion

What is the time signature?

6/8

Describe the timbre of the opening section

String and harp play high pitched motif while low brass chords interrupt at a forte dynamic

Describe the main rhythms of the A section

Constant quavers in strings and chords in brass held for 9 quavers

Which notes serve to intensify the ambiguous tonality of the opening?

The C and D naturals

What do the chords coincide with?

The actors' name appearing on screen

In the transition section, describe the melodic movement of the strings

Rising through the notes of an Eb add4 maj7 chord

What melodic technique is used during the transition section?

trills

What is the structure of the B section?

It is structured in three bar phrases which are each based around a different chord

In the B section, what characterises the internal movement of each chord?

Each has an appoggiatura

How are the dynamics different in the B section compared to the A section?

The A section has sudden forte from the brass whereas the B section has gradual crescendos to the loud chords

How does the rhythm changes the A section repeats?

There is rhythmic diminution-quavers change to semiquavers

When the B section repeats, how does the structure differ from the first time?

The three bar phrases reduce two bar phrases based each on a different chord

How does the tempo differ from the A section to the B section?

The B section is slower- poco piu largo

What sense does the rhythmic diminution give in the repeated A section?

It adds a sense of urgency

What is absent from the B section when it repeats?

The appoggiaturas

What sense does the reduction to two phrases give in the repeated B section?

It adds a sense of urgency

What characterises the harmony of the B section?

Almost every chord contains some dissonance

What is the harmony of the first three chords of the B section?

Ab\#11 Am(maj9) Cm(maj9)

Give imbalanced and disorienting elements in this piece

1.Ambiguous tonality 2.brass chords held for 9 quavers( odd number) 3. 5.5 bar transition 4. B section based on 3 bar phrases (odd number) 5. frequent dissonance

How does the piece maintain the disorientation right until the end note?

Finishes on the leading note