Debussy - Nuages (Rotations 1 and 2)

Question 1

Describe the 2 possible structures of Nuages

Answer 1

1. A rotational form, consisting of 5 rotations

2. Ternary Form (A, B, A’)

Question 2

What is the bar ranges if the piece is to be considered Ternary Form?

Answer 2

A - Bars 1 - 63
B - Bars 64 - 79
A’ - Bars 80 - end

Question 3

What is the scale used in Bars 17-18?

Answer 3

D Minor Pentatonic

Question 4

What is unusual about the metre in bar 3?

Answer 4

Metrically ambiguous (3/2 time against 6/4)

Question 5

What is the bar range of Rotation 5?

Answer 5

Bars 94 - end

Question 6

What is the bar range of Rotation 2?

Answer 6

Bars 11 - 28

Question 7

What is the scale used in Bar 19-20?

Answer 7

B♭ Dorian

Question 8

What is the chord in Bar 7?

Answer 8

G7 chord in first inversion

Question 9

What 2 scales are used in bars 1 and 2?

Answer 9

B Natural Minor scale in the upper voice
B Octatonic scale in the lower voice

Question 10

Bar 5 marks the start of what “material”?

Answer 10

Y Material

Question 11

What is the bar range of Rotation 1?

Answer 11

Bars 1 - 10

Question 12

Should the material in bar 21, be considered “X material”?

Answer 12

No. The crotchet rhythms are the same, but the melodic material is different. It is used as an accompaniment for the Foghorn theme, oscillating over a G9 chord.

Question 13

Describe the harmony in Bar 14

Answer 13

1. Parallel Harmony
2. Dominant 9th chords
3. Made from overlapping E♭m/Gm Pentatonic scales

Question 14

Name three features of the Cor Anglais theme at Bar 5

Answer 14

1. Starts with the span of a tritone (C# - F)
2. It’s in common time (4/4, whilst others are in 6/4)
3. It’s called the “Foghorn Motif/Theme”

Question 15

What is the bar range of Rotation 3?

Answer 15

Bars 29 - 56

Question 16

What is the function of bars 17-20?

Answer 16

It anticipates the B section (Ternary Form)

Question 17

Describe the function of Bar 13 and it’s most important musical feature.

Answer 17

It’s a transition bar to the next material. The lower parts consist of chromatically rising minor thirds.

Question 18

Describe the material at Bar 11

Answer 18

1. It’s a continuation of the “X Material” but now in strings.
2. It’s “Div. a 6” or divided in 6 parts.

Question 19

What is the bar range of Rotation 4?

Answer 19

Bars 57 - 93

Question 20

What is significant about Bar 23?

Answer 20

It introduces the falling tritone idea (first in the horns, and a bar later in the lower strings; this is a type of call and response, or antiphonal texture here)