Defying Gravity Flashcards
Explain the term DUET
Performance by two singers or instrumentalists
What is the story of Wicked?
- Based off of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Wicked’
- Tells the story of two women who are arch-enemies
- Elphaba is valueless and outcasted character. Glinda is pink and popular
- Glinda and Elphaba are sent to the Emerald City to assist the Wizard of Oz
- Oz was segregating the talking animals in Oz from the rest of society
- Elphaba defies the Wizard of Oz’s laws but ends up being considered ‘wicked’
- Glinda is considered ‘good’ because she lacks the courage to stand up to him
- Elphaba escapes the Wizard and Oz but Glinda is changed by the events and becomes a better person.
Choose a motif and see if you can find one or more examples in the score of the song
Bar 21 with an accompaniment figure that leads into the chorus at bar 49.
What does COLLA VOCE mean?
“With the voice”, This means the band and musical director follow the vocalist’s tempo
Explain what a MOTIF is and give an example from the song
A short melodic phrase of just a few notes – Bar 21
Describe the structure of the song, mentioning at least THREE sections
In bars 59-63, triplets are introduced to create a cross-rhythm against the quaver movement in the chorus. The melodies in bars 60-62 are also based on the melodies in bars 46-49.
In bars 63-79 (Verse 2), there is a perfect cadence that shows Elphaba’s increase in confidence, contrasting the interrupted cadence in bars 50-51 which suggests a nervous feeling.
In bars 1-6, the harmony moves chromatically; first down, then up so that the key remains uncertain (though there are moments where a key is slightly implied, however, it never settles for more than a bar). An example of this would be the chord of C major in bar 4, but with F#s in the melody. This furthermore creates an unsettlement within the tonalities of the introduction.
Describe how Schwartz sets the words DEFYING GRAVITY whenever the phrase occurs in the song. Describe how he varies the melody, rhythm, and pitch each time
The phrase “defying gravity” is sung with a rising melody as shown in multiple bars (bar 55, beat 4; bar 80, beat 4; bar 84 beat 3) which symbolises her increase in confidence. Furthermore, the melody and rhythm of the phrase “defying gravity” (in the chorus) is changed after bar 135. This time, the vocal line is more angular and jagged, while the melody is more syncopated and staccato. The phrase “defying gravity” is repeated numerous more times as the song goes on, with a marginally changed melody, rhythm, and pitch each time. With the use of these modifications, Schwartz reflects the character performing the song’s shifting emotions and motivations.
Describe the opening of the music (bar 1-14) referring to melody, harmony, tempo, and texture
The texture is homophonic as there are only stab chords (such as the ones in bar 1 – Piano line)
The harmony in bars 1-6 moves chromatically so that the key remains the uncertain
The tempo is moderate in the first 14 bars, which is almost like a walking pace
Give TWO musical reasons why you like or dislike this song
One reason I like this song is because of the use of certain motifs throughout the song that provides a sense of significance within certain parts of the music. This could potentially highlight important bits or characters that are present at that very moment.
Another reason I like this song is because of the structure of the cadences throughout the song. For example, in bars 50-51, there is an interrupted cadence (that being chords V-VI), symbolizing nervousness within Elphaba’s character. However, in bars 62-63, there is a perfect cadence (that being chords V-I), showing an increase in Elphaba’s confidence, symbolizing her change in character within the piece. This is significant as it shows development not only within the music but within the character as well.
