defying gravity

Question 1

who are the singers (characters)?

Answer 1

• elphaba
• glinda

Question 2

is there no real change in dynamics?

Answer 2

• no, extreme dynamic contrast throughout to differentiate mood/theme

Question 3

dynamics at start

Answer 3

sfz (forzando) and forte to convey aggression

Question 4

why does the piece end in ff?

Answer 4

to symbolise elphaba’s newfound confidence + tension between the people vs her

Question 5

what are quieter dynamics used to show?

Answer 5

calm mood

Question 6

outline the structure (each section) (lots of sections, icl u don’t need to know it all)

Answer 6

• intro (1-20)
• link 1 (21-31)
• verse 1 (32-48)
• chorus 1 (49-59)
• vers 2 (60-79)
• chorus 2 (80-88)
• link 2 (89-

and more stuff i cba

Question 7

overall structure

Answer 7

verse-chorus form

Question 8

is there a lot of tempo changes?

Answer 8

yeah

Question 9

what does colla voice mean?

Answer 9

follow the voice, free tempo stuff

Question 10

is it mainly quaver and semiquaver rhythms?

Answer 10

• no, crotchet and quaver

Question 11

is there use of mordents?

Answer 11

no

Question 12

use of fermatas?

Answer 12

yes

Question 13

is there a metric shift?

Answer 13

The time signature changes from 3/2 triple time to 2/2 duple time in the opening section and remains there until bar 88 (just before unlimited section) where it changes to 4/4 quadruple time. At bar 115 (the i hope you’re happy bit) it returns to 2/2 duple time.

Question 14

is there syncopation

Answer 14

ofc

Question 15

what’s the strange stuff abt the ostinato?

Answer 15

it is done in groups of 3 quavers against 22 so it has a cross-rhythm effect

Question 16

are rests are used to break up phrases?

Answer 16

yes

Question 17

what is the range of the singers?

Answer 17

• really massive
• G3 to F5

Question 18

what is the instrumentation (2)

Answer 18

• a large orchestra (1) with use of modern instruments (e.g: synths) (1)

so, contains: woodwind, brass, string, percussion (including glock, tubular bells, timpani, drum kit), electric guitars, synths

Question 19

strings double stop, true or false

Answer 19

false

Question 20

does brass glissando?

Answer 20

nah

Question 21

do strings tremolando?

Answer 21

yeas

Question 22

cool stuff from cymbal: (1)

Answer 22

• cymbal rolls

Question 23

texture of opening (2)

Answer 23

• sparse
• monophonic movement

Question 24

overall texture

Answer 24

MDH

Question 25

texture at end

Answer 25

polyphony (3 parts)

Question 26

syllabic or melismatic?

Answer 26

syllabic

Question 27

conjunct or disjunct?

Answer 27

• both
• initially more conjunct but as song progresses, elphaba gets more brave and does more disjunct singing and at a higher tessitura

Question 28

what leitmotif is verse 1 based off of?

Answer 28

elphaba’s leitmotif

Question 29

what weird rhythm thing does glinda do towards the end of the first chorus

Answer 29

triplet crotchet melody ‘you’re having delusions of grandeur’

Question 30

tonality at start?

Answer 30

ambiguous

• elphaba sings in Db
• glinda sings in D

Question 31

chordal movement at start

Answer 31

chromatic descending motion, in semitones

Question 32

tonality of link 1

Answer 32

B maj

Question 33

chorus tonality

Answer 33

D maj

Question 34

tonality in verse 1

Answer 34

D maj

Question 35

tonality in b88 ‘unlimited’ section

Answer 35

G maj

Question 36

tonality in bar 103 (2nd chorus)

Answer 36

D maj

Question 37

harmony in bar 115 (part of mainly instrumental building-up section)

the bit that’s like ‘I hope you’re happy now that you’re choosing this’

Answer 37

chromatic

Question 38

tonality in bar 168 (build up to final tutti finale)

Answer 38

B minor

Question 39

tonality at end

Answer 39

D major