AOS 3 - Star Wars

Question 1

When was Star Wars: A New Hope released?

Answer 1

1977

Question 2

This set work uses leitmotifs, what are these?

Answer 2

Musical ideas for a character, place, or object.

Question 3

What type of ensemble is this piece scored for?

Answer 3

Full Symphony Orchestra

Question 4

The musical term ‘tutti’ is used within this score, what does it mean?

Answer 4

Everyone plays together

Question 5

How does the piece open?

Answer 5

Introductory fanfare

Question 6

There are two main themes, how can we describe their order?

Answer 6

ABA1 or AABA

Question 7

Which key does the piece begin in?

Answer 7

Bb Major

Question 8

The tonality can be described as ambiguous, atonal, and bitonal as it progresses, what do these terms mean?

Answer 8

Ambiguous – Hard to tell the tonal centre. Atonal – no clear tonal centre. Bitonal – suggests 2 keys at the same time.

Question 9

What are the prominent intervals within melody A and B?

Answer 9

4th and 7th (and the opening perfect 5th in melody A).

Question 10

How can we describe the movement of melody B?

Answer 10

Conjunct

Question 11

Quartal harmony is heard, what does this mean?

Answer 11

The chords are built around 4ths

Question 12

Dissonant cluster chords are used later in the piece, can you define them?

Answer 12

Chords using adjacent tones within the scale that clash.

Question 13

What is the main texture heard within this piece?

Answer 13

Melody dominated homophony, or melody and accompaniment.

Question 14

Pedals are used throughout the piece, what is meant by this?

Answer 14

Repeated note with harmony changing above, can also be played high (inverted).

Question 15

Which rhythm typical of fanfares is heard frequently within the piece?

Answer 15

Triplets

Question 16

Two different time signatures are used within this piece, what are they?

Answer 16

4/4 and 3/4