Defying Gravity

Question 1

Harmony and tonality

Answer 1

• Opening tonality ambiguous (AO3)
• chromatic movement and unrelated chord progression (AO3)
• D major (AO3)
• Also modulates to F major, G major, B minor at certain points (AO3)
• Chords in root position (AO3)
• Use of augmented chords (AO3)
• D major chord at end (AO3) strong finish (AO4)

Question 2

Melody

Answer 2

• Syllabic text setting (AO3)
• Use of vocalisation (AO3)
• Melody begins conjunct (AO3)
• Ascending sequences (AO3), builds tension (AO4)
• Leaps often feature a rising fifth (AO3)
• Repeated leitmotifs (AO3)
• Unlimited theme (AO3), based on seven notes of over the rainbow (AO4)
• Intervals of perfect fourths and fifths (AO3), strong and assertive melody (AO4)
• Articulated notes (AO3)

Question 3

Texture

Answer 3

• Opening sparse texture (AO3) through the use of punctuating instrumental chords (AO4)
• Mainly melody dominated homophony (AO3)
• Use of dialogue (AO3)
• Some moments of unison (AO3)

Question 4

Instrumentation

Answer 4

• Traditional orchestral instruments combined with popular musical instruments
• Brass play homophonic chordal music (AO3), almost fan-fare like manner (AO4)
• Strings use tremolo (AO3), adds tension (AO4)
• Closed hi-hat plays constant crotchet rhythms (AO3), adds rhythmic momentum (AO4)
• Cymbal roll (AO3), adds excitement and leads into key change section (AO4)
• Tubular bells (AO3), ethereal sonority (AO4)

Question 5

Rhythm, metre and tempo

Answer 5

• Numerous tempo changes (AO3), used to identify sections, determines the structure (AO4)
• Free tempo (AO3), determined by the main singer
• 3/2 to 2/2 in the opening (AO3)
• 2/2 for most of piece, 4/4, back to 2/2 (AO3)
• Syncopation frequent throughout (AO3)
• Dotted rhythms used throughout (AO3)
• Rhythms are predominantly crotchet and quaver based (AO3)
• Closed hi-hat plays constant crotchet rhythms (AO3), adds rhythmic momentum (AO4)

Question 6

Structure

Answer 6

• Distinct verse-chorus form (AO3)
• Contrasting sections (AO3) defined by tempo, contrasting moods and melodic materials (A04)
• Extended structure (AO3)

Question 7

Context

Answer 7

• Orchestral reduction and is transposed in anthology
• Uses large orchestra with the inclusion of interesting percussion instruments such as drum kit, timpani and tubular bells. (AO3)