Dream of Gerontius - Elgar - 3. Demons Section

Question 1

Describe the structure of the section that precedes the chorus of demons.

Answer 1

Dialogue between Gerontius (Tenor) and Angel (Soprano). This reflects Gerontius’s worry in his state of purgatory as she is guiding him.

Question 2

What are the key features of the tenor melody that begins with ‘But hark’?

Answer 2

A series of many semitonal movements as well as a lot of dotted rhythms that make the piece seem rushed. This represents his panic.

Question 3

What does the orchestra play when the Angel sings ‘Close on the judgement court’?

Answer 3

When the Angel sings the word ‘judgement’, there is a low, dark Eb minor chord representing the passing of judgement on Gerontius.

Question 4

What do we see in the orchestra the bar after the Angel sings ‘Close on the judgement court’?

Answer 4

We see the demon theme played in the orchestra, foreshadowing their imminent arrival.

Question 5

What happens when the Angel sings ‘Hungry and wild to claim their property’?

Answer 5

There is a recitative. This bar is a cappella which makes the soloist stand out, before the orchestra reenters on the word property with a triplet rhythm to make the piece sound busy and further foreshadow the coming of the demons.

Question 6

What is interesting about the harmony when Gerontius first replies to the Angel?

Answer 6

It’s very chromatic in the orchestra and voice.

Question 7

How do the orchestra set the scene just before the Demons arrive?

Answer 7

There is an inverted dominant pedal to show a loose sense of tonality. There is also a fast demisemiquaver descent, to represent a fall into hell.

Question 8

Describe the demon’s theme as a melody.

Answer 8

It features the notes: D, F, E and B. This establishes a D minor tonality as well as allowing Elgar to use chromaticism. It is also subtly hetrophonic as the orchestra play a slightly different rhythm version of the demons theme.

Question 9

Describe the word painting on the word ‘brute’ when the demons sing ‘Of brute earth’?

Answer 9

It returns to the tonic note and it is accented for power.

Question 10

What happens on the word ‘Gods’ when the demons sing ‘They aspire to become Gods’?

Answer 10

C Major 7, 3rd inversion, fortissimo accented. Crescendo in choir.

Question 11

Describe the melody and dynamics at the part after the big chord on the word ‘Gods’.

Answer 11

Creepy dynamics as they swell a lot, going from loud to quiet in the orchestra. It’s all forte in the choir. The melody is disjunct to create a scary feel.

Question 12

What happens on the word ‘Aught’?

Answer 12

It is repeated 3 times, performing a G minor arpeggio as it ascends. Suddenly loud.

Question 13

What happens on the words ‘Could stand’?

Answer 13

Cadential phrase as octave unison. They all move from a G to a D, implying a plagal cadence which ironically connotes religion.

Question 14

What happens on the word ‘Of the great’?

Answer 14

There is an ascent with an octave leap for the word ‘great’, which gives it a huge sense of power.

Question 15

What happens on the word ‘light’ when the demons sing ‘And realm of light’?

Answer 15

Ab7 3rd inversion. FFZ dynamic (suddenly fortissimo). A crescendo. Representing power of God, but undermined by the 7th in the bass as it is coming from the demons.

Question 16

What happens in the choir with the words ‘Dispossessed, aside thrust, chuck’d down’?

Answer 16

The melody has dotted rhythms which created a rushed/aggressive feeling. The melody mainly descends which represents negativity. Reverse fugal idea where it begins in the dominant key and is then accompanied fugally by the tonic key - this shows a break of tradition and represents anarchy.

Question 17

When the orchestra eventually returns to homophony, what does Elgar do with the words ‘Chuck’d down’?

Answer 17

He chucks them down with an octave leap.