Imitation Game Theme (Alexandra Desplat)

Question 1

Describe the instrumentation. Make five points.

Answer 1

Lush, ethereal sounding strings play the main ostinato in a higher range

Lower strings accompany main ostinato with a sinister six note bassline. Depths of Alan Turing’s mind

Flute entrance before the main ostinato. It provides a folk-like and natural feel to the music

‘Bell like’ piano plays repetitive arpeggios. Reflects the ideas in Alan Turing’s mind

Triangle is sounded on the downbeat of every bar in the main ostinato, which shows morality

Question 2

Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make four points.

Answer 2

Shifts between major and minor to show Alan Turing’s difficulty in controlling his mind

Dissonance with the harp at the end to build the suspense and set the dramatic atmosphere

The main ostinato is a climactic major feel, which is regarded as heroic. Alan Turing is the hero

Ascending and descending stepwise movement in main ostinato. Unsettles the tension and the mood

Question 3

Describe the texture. Make three points.

Answer 3

Homophonic between piano and lower strings in the intro to create excitement and tension

Becomes polyphonic when the flute enters. Regarded as dramatic and a wash of colour, like Alan Turing’s mind

Layers of ostanati to show the complexity of Alan Turing’s mind, as if it were mechanical

Question 4

Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make three points.

Answer 4

Offsets the beat with a six count note to lean back to the pulse, which is regarded as unsettling

Relentless and driving. It stays the same throughout to show Alan Turing’s mechanical mind

Syncopated stabs in upper strings during the flute’s solo, which unsettles the pace