Concerto For Cootie, Duke Ellington, Fusion Flashcards
Name the structure
A1, A2, B, A3, modulation, C, modulation/lead in, A4, Coda
What is each section based off of?
A new variation of the riff
Who was this piece written for and why is he so good
Written for charles melvin cootie Williams, master of both under mute technique and open horn - the concerto explored his range
How can the timbre of the trumpet be described?
Produces wonderfully soft growling timbre in mid and lower ranges and a beautifully bright tone playing in the upper register
What is the piece characterised by?
Characerised by smooth uninterrupted dialogue between soloist and ensembl
How is the initial a motif played
Played with a closed plunger
How is C section played
Played with open trumpet in higher register
What does the closely woven antiphony mean?
That there is little room for improvisation/embellishment of parts
What is the texture of the B section?
Dense antiphonal patterns
What key is the piece in?
Begins in F major
What happens to the bass in the intro?
The bass moves chromatically down an octave below Bari sax on root notes of descending chords
What are the chords in the intro?
Gb7 F9 E7 Eb7 D9 Db9 C9 Cb9
What do the reeds do at b6-8 and b9-10
Play parallel block scored harmonies
What is A2 harmonisation like?
Same chromatic harmonisation from the end of the intro, extended in trombones with a syncopated phrase ending on the dominant 7th leading to a growling triplet lead into the B section
What is the harmonisation of the B section like?
Pure blues set in an 8 bar convention, harmonic plan is I IV7 I
What are modulation section chords?
I IV I
Where does the modulation take place?
In final bar of modulation section where offbeat chords in brass move in contrary motion to on beat saxes
What key is C section in?
Db major
What key does the modulation go to?
Modulates back to Fmajor via an Ab dominant 7th and Fmajor 6th
What happens in the coda harmonically in the ensemble?
Under Williams growling vibrato the ensemble play the final cadence, the dominant 7th on the minor 2nd (Gb7) resolving to the final F chord with an added major 6th
What does Ellington make use of compositionally?
Pianistic, chromatically descending and unrelated chords, often adding major 9ths
What is the drumming like?
Gentle and unobtrusive wire brushes provide a steady 4/4 pulse beneath the constantly syncopated movement of solos and ensemble parts.
What happens rhythmically in B section?
Has mid bar syncopated phrases in saxes echoed by offbeat chords in brass
Which instrument introduces main “A” melodic motif?
Solo trumpet
What does the A motif consist of?
7 quavers and moves within the interval of a perfect 4th with the last 3 notes leaving a whole tone relationship before rising to the third degree
How is the motif often harmonised?
Harmonised in a succession of parallel, chromatic or dominant 7ths, 9ths or 13ths for the accompanying ensemble
Is use of 7ths 9ths and 13ths common?
Yes for the 20s
What does the valve trombone do in the intro?
Over chromatic bass part, leads in with an ascending chromatic line followed by descending phrases in ensemble
How does the A section begin?
With another statement of A motif with a response from trombones in 3rds with use of bluesy slides
How is the A motif modified in section A2?
Motif is modified by 2 bars longer
What is B section melody like?
Made up of 3 two bar phrases before last two are extended to lead into A section
What is A 3 like?
Repeat of A1
What is the soloist during the modulation?
Tacet
What is the C section melody like?
2 bar motif played 3 times, slightly varied each time including with glissando
A4 melody?
Scurrying ff ascending scale in octave unison for ensemble leads to Williams’ high note triplet interruption with open and closed plunger over dissonant chord in ensemble - dramatic
What happens in the coda?
Piece ends quietly with Williams’ sustained tonic faintly growling with a wide vibrato
