Carousel

Question 1

Whats the use of Wondrin’ - Julie, main points:

Answer 1

• Db major, soft key (love)
• Julies dotted rhythms representative of her daughter - emotionally restless, different to Carrie who has placid even 8 note rhythms
• Chromatically altered notes on poignant words such as the D naturals on ‘the way he wears his hat’ indicating she loves his quirks
• ‘love him’ also ends on a D diminished chord indicating something is still bothering Julie despite her positive words
• ‘That’s all there is to that’ ends on a perfect cadence - firm decision, brushing off doubts

Question 2

Whats the use of Wondrin’ - Julie, main points continued:

Answer 2

• B21 modulation to Gb (subdominant), change in accomp with soft chords and descending triplet melody
• Gb sus2 chord gives a very tender feel to the music as she is trying to understand him
• B28 ‘one of those things is you’ ends on a descending chromatic sequence in accomp which sounds dissonant, indicates his impending downward spiral
• Repeat of A section with chorus - unites women and makes point of the vulnerability of the female sex in domestic situations
• Julie uses the words ‘that’s all there is to that’ and the chorus girls sing ‘that’s all there is to say’ suggesting that Julie is not very well educated

Question 3

Other notable points from Carousel:

Answer 3

• Sondheim called ‘if I loves you’ the most integrated piece of musical drama in American history
• Strong melodies - the modulation to B flat minor, from an augmented pivot chord, in the B section of ‘if I loved you’
• Use of waltz, e.g the ‘Carousel Waltz’ established the musical style for the whole of Carousel, providing distinctive musical material to be used in other number