Forest Gump - Main Title Flashcards
Who composed the Feather theme?
Alan Silvestri, an American composer and conductor known mostly for his film scores
Early life of composer of Feather Theme
Born in New York, 1959, studied at Berkeley College of Music in Boston.
What else did the composer of Feather theme do?
Wrote music for television shows in late 1970s, achieved recognition as a film composer with Romancing the stone in 1984, beginning a collaboration with director Robert Zemenckis. His film credits include the Back to the Future trilogy, The polar express, and Night at the museum.
What awards has the composer of Feather Theme received?
Alan Silvestri won a Grammy award for the song ‘Believe’ from The polar express in 2006, and has received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College
What is Forrest Gump?
A movie released in 1994 starring Tom Hanks in the title role.
Where is the Feather theme from?
Main Title (Feather theme) is heard in the opening credits of Forrest Gump where a feather is shown falling as a metaphors for the twists and turns of life. The original score features a piano with accompanying strings. This arrangement for piano solo was made by the American pianist Phillip Keveren.
What form is Feather Theme in?
Modified strophic (verse repeating) form. The main theme is heard three times, each in a different key and with changes of texture
Analysis of Feather Theme
1-6 Introduction, A major, very soft and high using only 4ths and 5ths, based on chords V and I without their 3rds, The feather floats gracefully through the air
7-22 Main theme, A major, mostly soft and in the upper treble register. Both melody and accompaniment are frequently syncopated. There is a tonic pedal in the left hand in 5-10. The harmony is diatonic.
23-40 Main theme, F major, using middle register with counter melody in the inner voice.
41-55 Main theme, C major, beginning loudly with denser textures and deeper bass
55-66 Coda, C major, often with a tonic pedal in the bass, recalling the introduction, with a hint of the main theme in 57
Stylistic characteristics of Feather theme
- Neoromantic style
- lyrical melodies
- frequent syncopation
- simple diatonic harmonies with some expressive dissonance
- played with warm tone, extensive sustaining pedal, and rhythmic freedom
What does Rubato mean?
With expressive rhythmic freedom
What does 8va mean?
Ottava, Play an octave higher than written
What does 15ma mean?
Quindicesima, play two octaves higher than written
What does molto ritardando mean?
Gradually becoming much slower
What does ppp mean?
Extremely soft
What does 8vb mean?
Ottava bassa, play an octave lower than written
