Birth of a penguin Part 1 and 2, Batman vs the Circus, and The Rise and Fall from Grace - from Batman Returns (Danny Elfman) Flashcards
Who is Danny Elfman?
Self taught American composer, born on 29th May 1953.
When was Batman Returns released?
1992.
Elfman gives very detailed performance direction with regards to dynamics, articulation and phrasing. Name some used throughout the pieces.
- Arco
- Pizzicato
- Tremolo
- Glissandi (smooth slides) between notes
- Con Sord
- Oboe extreme vibrato
- Horns stopped
- Trumpet extreme lip trill
- Cymbal and timpani roll
- Flutter tonging
- Snare drum with snares off
- Percussion rolls.
BoaP1: What is the main key of this piece?
F minor with a few modulations to Gm, Cm, and Dm.
BoaP1: At the beginning of the piece, Batman’s motif is played. What instrument plays this?
Horns.
BoaP1: Why is Batman’s motif played at the start of the piece?
To establish the film.
BoaP1: After the established motif, what cadence is played before continuing on with the piece?
Plagal cadence.
BoaP1: What instruments are used first to establish The Penguin’s motif?
Choir and violins.
BoaP1: What type of chords are used in bar 4?
Dominant seventh chords
BoaP1: Between bars 7 and 13, how many modulations are there?
2, to A minor, and then to G minor at bar 11.
BoaP1: What is the texture at bars 22-25?
Monophonic texture, that is played by the synthesiser, tuba, timpani, and low woodwind ranging over four octaves.
BoaP1: Sleighbells are used throughout the entire section covering the scene of the parents throwing the pram off the bridge. Why is this? And what key is this section in?
- It is set during the Christmas period.
- D minor
BoaP1: At bar 45 the music feels as though it is moving to a conclusion. Why is this?
Because of the use of a dominant seventh chord.
BoaP1: Describe the chord used to resolve the piece in bar 46.
It is made up entirely of fifths (C, G, D, A, E).
It is used before resolving with a D pedal by low strings with the harp playing the penguin motif.
BoaP2: What key does the piece start in?
D minor
BoaP2: A rising and falling arpeggio motif is played by what instrument in bar 1, and again by another in bar 2?
What chord are these based on?
Bar 1: Cellos
Bar 2: Violins
The cello figure is based around a tonic major seventh chord and in bar 2 a tonic sixth with added second.
BoaP2: At bar 9 the Batman Motif is played by what instruments?
Horns
BoaP2: At bar 11, what key has the piece modulated to?
B♭ minor
BoaP2: What instrument plays the Batman Motif at bars 12-15?
Bassoon and Bass Clarinet.
BoaP2: What sort of effect does adding a descending triplet phrase in bar 16 create?
A cross rhythmic effect against the accompaniment.
BoaP2: At bar 52-56, describe the use of chords and bass.
Use of D♭7 first inversion, and bass chromatic shift to F♯ minor with ♯6.
BoaP2: The bar 57-62 section ends in A♭ major, what key does the piece modulate to in bar 63?
A♭ minor
BoaP2: There is a hint of an augmented Penguin motif by muted brass, at what bar?
Bars 85-87
BoaP2: At bar 97, what technique is used by the flutes?
Flutter Tongue
BoaP2: What chord is used to end the piece?
An open chord (no third) of C♯ and G♯ and the tam tam is struck to end the piece.
BvTC: At bar 8, what happens to the tempo?
it increases.
BvTC: The second section of this piece has a comical feel to it to represent the ‘Circus Gang’ causing chaos on the streets of Gotham. Describe how this is done?
The music represents this through the use of cross rhythms, frequent changes in time signatures, syncopation and fragments of ideas.
BvTC: What is the key from bar 13?
E minor
BvTC: What key does the piece modulate to at bar 18?
C minor
BvTC: What instrument is used to set the new ostinato at bar 26? What accompanies this instrument?
A new ostinato in octaves appears in the piano (Idea 4) and the xylophone starts the next section accompanied by the snare drum and temple blocks.
BvTC: At bar 47 there is an unprepared modulation to what key?
C# minor
BvTC: At bar 64 the main batman motif enters over what chords and what instruments are used?
The main Batman motif enters over a chord of E♭ played by the strings section.
BvTC: What key does the music modulate to at bar 67?
E minor
BvTC: Describe the dynamics at bars 91-93.
There is a sudden shift of dynamics to p (from ff) with a quick crescendo back to forte by bar 3.
BvTC: Describe the end of the piece.
The music starts to decrescendo until the penultimate bar, which is a low E, which crescendos from p to fff. The piece ends on the low E – no harmony played.
TRaFfG: What key does the piece start in?
C minor
TRaFfG: An arpeggio is played by the cellos and violins at the start of the piece. What is the playing technique used called?
Pizzicato
TRaFfG: The penguin motif is first played by what instrument?
The Penguin motif is played underneath by the cello, coloured by the low bass clarinet.
TRaFfG: At bars 20-25 the Penguin motif is played in what style?
As a waltz, in triple time.
TRaFfG: At bar 46, what ornament is used by the flute? What cadence is played?
- Trill on the flute
- Perfect cadence.
TRaFfG: What is the key at bar 47?
C minor
TRaFfG: At what point does the piece modulate key to C major?
Bars 53/54 (The end)
