Familia Valera Miranda: Alla va candela

Question 1

what is this piece about?

Answer 1

falling in love

Question 2

what is its structure?

Answer 2

• bolero (bars1-39)

- son (39to end)

Question 3

what is a bolero?

Answer 3

a slow sentimental cuban song

Question 4

comment on structure/melody in bars 1-15

Answer 4

intro

• cuatro 2-bar intro
• instruments enter in bar 3 - cuatro plays pre-echo of vocal idea A
• melody: triadic/stepwise/ upward 4th

Question 5

comment on vocal idea B in bars 25-31

Answer 5

• lower tessitura (relfection of lyrics)
• largely conjunct
• longer note values

Question 6

comment on vocal idea in bars 32-38

Answer 6

• octave in 1st phrase using Ic triad (reflects head to feet)

Question 7

comment on vocal refrain in bars 39-60

Answer 7

repetition of notes in e maj triad followed by outer notes of B maj chord

Question 8

what is the cuatro playing during the refrain?

Answer 8

guajeo

Question 9

comment on melody in cuatro solo in bars 68-119

Answer 9

• flexible melodically
• triadic
• stepwise
• chromatic inflections/scale

Question 10

comment on harmony of the piece

Answer 10

bolero: uses chord variations of A and F#7 (V of V)
son: simple chords of tonic and dominant
cuatro solo - uses extensions (bar101) high C# forms E6 and B 7/9
- use of chromaticism

Question 11

what is the tonality of the piece?

Answer 11

E major with no modulations

Question 12

comment on tempo, metre and rhythm

Answer 12

• bolero: duple time - minim=160
• son: two in a bar 90bpm
• son clave 2:3 rhythm
• complex rhythm in cuatro solo: hemiola (bars 103-4), syncopation/ triplets/ rapid quaver figuration