Enemy God (Sergei Prokofiev)

Question 1

Describe the instrumentation. Make three points

Answer 1

Brass section is predominant at the very beginning of the movement. Highlights elements of drama and warfare

Trombones play with mutes after restless chromatic figures is sounded. Stopped resonance illustrates a military bugle

String section enters altogether after trumpets chromatic third figure with horn fanfare originally heard at the beginning

Question 2

Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make four points

Answer 2

Implies at the beginning that the key is E minor, as the tonic note is played by the lower brass during quaver motif

Chromatic figures played by upper woodwind and pitched percussion drives the music forward towards end of movement

Trumpets move in chromatic thirds as soon as the timpani enters into the climactic passage. Manipulates a typical war fanfare

Movement finishes dramatically with full orchestra playing staccato perfect octave on tonic note. Signals completion of action

Question 3

Describe the texture. Make three points

Answer 3

Upper woodwind and pitched percussion play homorhythmically during chromatic figures. Used to illustrate an army of soldiers?

Full orchestra moves sparsely in unison with chromatic figures during the revisiting of the horn fanfare motif heard in the intro

Fugal passage between flutes and piccolo flutes before the grand ending. Cascading quaver ideas reinforces driving action

Question 4

Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make five points

Answer 4

Quaver motif in intro mainly revolved around two notes making up two chords collectively. Is used mainly to provoke and shock

Allegro intro, as quaver motif sounds militaristic and in a marching style. Symbolises the authority of the enemy god

Accents provide emphasis on different beats of the string section passage. Purpose is to shock and surprise the listeners

Movement is an obstacle course filled with all kinds of musical tuplets and grace notes. Adds detail to the ongoing action

Syncopation as the last note of horn’s fanfare motif heard in the intro is held earlier in the bar. Unsettles the pulse and listeners