Orchestra, Voices, Synthesised Vocal Sounds, 2 Harps and a Piano
2 of 24
List all of the interesting percussion
Timpani, suspended cymbal, bass drum, tubular bells, bell tree, a glockenspiel and sleigh bells
3 of 24
Is the orchestra standard?
Yes and the instruments are used traditionally. The parts are doubled and the range is limited.
4 of 24
Describe the structure
Through-composed. Reflects what's happening in the film: helps to tell the story. Lots of repetition. Defined by melodic sections.
5 of 24
Name the two melodic sections that define the structure
'the Leaving of Liverpool' and the 'Dance Section'
6 of 24
Describe the tonality
Traditional and diatonic. Opens in Eb major, yet sounds modal (raised lydian 4th). Tonally ambiguous at the beginning: no written key signature and lydian 4th blurs the key.
7 of 24
Does the piece modulate?
Yes, quiet frequentl and to unrelated keys.
8 of 24
How do modulations occur?
Without cadences. Modulates in tertiary movement, i.e. in 3rds. This helps to build the excitement.
9 of 24
Explain the tertiary modulations:
1) Begins in D major: bar 8, B major: bar 15 and Ab major: bar 19. Then in E major: bar 21, C major: bar 23 and A major: bar 25. Key settles in G major: bar 30 (calmer feel). Abrupt key change to D major: bar 57. Final T.M: B major (from D): bar 86
10 of 24
What key does the piece end in?
B major, however the final chord is missing the 3rd (hollow sound of bare 5ths).
11 of 24
Describe the harmony.
Tonal, diatonic and functional: bar 37 (dance tune). Perfect cadences rare: there is one at end of piece. Piece moves from one key to another without preparation. Mostly root and 1st inversion chords, circle of 5ths in bass: bars 41-53.
12 of 24
At bar 26, which random chord is heard in A Major?
Eb major chord.
13 of 24
What is the metre?
3/4.
14 of 24
Does the time signature change at all?
Yes, to 4/4, 3/2, 5/4, 2/2. This gives the feeling of an ambiguous beat and keeps the piece moving forward.
15 of 24
What feeling does the 5/4 time signature at bar 37 give?
A folk feel - represents the Irish nationality on the ship (steerage class)
16 of 24
What is the tempo?
Andante tempo at beginning.
17 of 24
Describe the rhythm
It gradually builds (gets faster as ship moves), mostly made up of quavers, semiquavers, crotchets and minims - i.e. it is rhythmically standard. There is syncopation at bar 37 and quaver triplets at bar 57.
18 of 24
Which melodic idea is augmented at bar 86?
'The Leaving of Liverpool'
19 of 24
Describe the texture
Imitation: opening, Octaves: bar 11 in cello, Heterophonic: 21 (same melody, different rhythms), Homorhythmic: bar 37, Homophonic: bar 80.
20 of 24
Describe the use of pedals
Bars 11, 57 and 106 in double bass. Establishes the key. Accented pedal notes: bar 8 in viola.
21 of 24
Describe the melody of the opening figure
Rising, based on Eb major yet Ab (4th note) is raised. There is inversion in the 2nd bar of the 1st.
22 of 24
Describe the melody of the 'Leaving of Liverpool'
Bar 30: outlines G major arpeggio and scale and is based on the first 2 bars of a traditional Irish ballad.
23 of 24
Describe the melody of the 'Dance Section'
Bar 37: Written in 5/4, syncopated, restricted/similar movement which reflects the wave, conjunct and repetitive. Appears again in 6/4 at bar 68.
24 of 24
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Name the resources
Back
Orchestra, Voices, Synthesised Vocal Sounds, 2 Harps and a Piano
Comments
No comments have yet been made