Defying Gravity

Question 1

Defying Gravity

Answer 1

From Wicked, Act One finale,

Schwartz,

1995,

Duet sections with Glinda,

Underscore, Music under dialogue

Question 2

Defying Gravity Melody

Answer 2

Bars 1-31 sings recitative, ordinary speech but sung,

Violin tremolo in bars 34-39,

Use of leitmotifs e.g. unlimited,

Scalic Descent in bar 101,

Bars 71-79 are hexatonic, six notes per octave,

Long notes and wide leaps demonstrate confidence,

Crescendos from 161 to end,

Recitative from 99-102

Question 3

Defying Gravity Articulation

Answer 3

Chromatic stabs in bars 1-31 to show anger,

Electric guitar with overdrive in 11,40 and 45,

Drum fill bar 54.

Question 4

Defying Gravity Dynamics

Answer 4

Slowly gets louder to show gaining confidence,

Verse 1 Mp,

Verse 2 F,

Final Chorus Ff.

Question 5

Defying Gravity Tonality

Answer 5

Verses and choruses in D major,

G major bars 88-100,

115-131 has ambiguous tonality,

Chromatic writing at the start.

Question 6

Defying Gravity Structure

Answer 6

Verse Chorus form,

Intro - 34 Verse - 50 Chorus - 63 Verse - 79 Chorus - 88 Bridge - 102 Chorus - 115 intro - 135 verse - 151 Chorus - 161 Coda.

Question 7

Defying Gravity Harmony

Answer 7

Root poistion triads,

Sus chords e.g. bar 60 has a Gsus (G-A-D),

Inner Pedal in bars 162-167 on A,

Inverted Pedal on D in bar 168.

Question 8

Defying Gravity Instrumentation

Answer 8

23 musicians,

Full band play in the Coda,

2 Guitars,

3 Keyboard synths,

Drums,

Timpani,

6 Brass.

Question 9

Defying Gravity Rhythm

Answer 9

Speed dictated by the singers,

2/2 time till bar 88 where it becomes 4/4,

2/2 returns in bar 115,

Syllabic word setting,

Syncopation e.g. bars 50-51,

Elphaba has a triadic style line.

Question 10

Defying Gravity Texture

Answer 10

Homophonic, Melody and Accompaniment,

Monophonic at the start,

Unison in bars 101-109,

Ostinato in bars 80-87 and 88-97 and 103-109 and 152-159, AKA a riff.