defying gravity

Question 1

describe the instrumentation of the piece

Answer 1

1. full orchestra is used (brass, strings, woodwind and percussion)
2. percussion instruments include a drum kit, tubular bells and a timpani
3. electric guitars with over-drive are also used to create a modern sound

Question 2

how are different sections of the orchestra used for dramatic effect?

Answer 2

1. drum rolls before modulations creates excitement and anticipation
2. repeated crotchet accompaniment from the closed high-hat provides rhythmic momentum
3. tubular bells create an ethereal atmosphere
4. full band at the climax of the piece provides excitement
5. quaver accompaniment from synthesisers and glockenspiel creates an uplifting, magical atmosphere
6. the brass section plays homophonic chordal accompaniment almost like a fanfare
7. strings use tremolo to add tension

Question 3

describe the melody in the piece

Answer 3

1. ascending sequence in bars 6-7
2. mostly syllabic and rhythm in a speech-like manner
3. chorus combines conjunct movement and wide angular leaps
4. conjunct movement at the start
5. lost of ascending perfect fifths and some very wide leaps such as a compound perfect fourth
6. there is vocalisation

Question 4

describe the structure of the piece

Answer 4

1. verse-chorus structure
2. sections are defined by tempo, contrasting moods and melodic material
3. opening is colla voce (following tempo of soloists)

Question 5

describe the texture of the piece

Answer 5

1. opening has a sparse texture with punctuating chordal stabs
2. most of the piece is melody-dominated homophony
3. there are some homophonic chordal moments
4. there is an ostinato involving repeated quavers
5. the soloists sometimes sing in unison and sometimes in thirds
6. the ending is contrapuntal as there are three different musical ideas with different lyrics

Question 6

describe the tonality of the piece

Answer 6

1. in the opening, the tonality is ambiguous due to chromatic movement and unrelated chord progressions
2. the piece is in D major
3. there are also modulations to the keys of B major, F major, G major and B minor

Question 7

describe the harmony in the piece

Answer 7

1. chords are in root position
2. chord progressions are often unrelated and in the opening we can see shifts downwards in parallel semitones
3. there is some dissonance
4. pedal notes are used

Question 8

describe the tempo, rhythm and metre

Answer 8

1. There are rallentandos (eg at end)
2. The time signature changes from 3/2 triple time to 2/2 duple time in the opening section and remains there until bar 88 where it changes to 4/4 quadruple time. At bar 115 it returns to 2/2 duple time.
3. Syncopation is frequent throughout
4. Dotted rhythms are used throughout.
5. Both triplet quavers and crotchets are used
6. Rhythms are predominantly crotchet and quaver based, although there are some notes of longer duration particularly at the ends of phrases.
7. Each phrase starts with an off-beat entry after a crotchet rest.
8. Pause marks are used to lengthen and give freedom to longer rhythms, for example at the end.