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