Maze Runner Theme (John Paesano)

Question 1

Describe the instrumentation. Make four points.

Answer 1

Low percussion begin the piece with a grumbled unpitched note. Represents a storm or shocking events

Horns enter with the main motif after the intro. Provides a militaristic, exciting and heroic aspect to the music

Trumpets enter with main motif. Adds to the militaristic, exciting and heroic atmosphere created by the music

Synthesised sounds play in a high tessitura as accompaniment for climactic moment. Fits into the Sci-fi world

Question 2

Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make three points.

Answer 2

Mainly made up of chord one and chord seven. Constant shifts between neighbouring keys, connotes movement

In a minor key, but contains the diatonic chord seven. Unsettles and plays around with the listener’s emotions

Piece ends abruptly on chord one of the minor key. Perfect cadence allows the events to start rolling on screen

Question 3

Describe the texture. Make three points.

Answer 3

Opening bars is monophonic with lower strings playing a driving four quaver note figure. Builds anticipation

Polyphonic when trumpets join horns with playing main motif. This is classed as the climactic moment of the piece

Homophonic in intro when upper strings enter with long notes on the dominant. Widens heroic and intense atmosphere

Question 4

Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make five points.

Answer 4

Conducted mostly in compound duple time, however it is displaced by hemiolas. Builds tension and excitement

Is the same throughout. Drives onward relentlessly through the score towards the ending and is regarded as intense

Metric changes, principally towards end of piece. Makes listener lose familiarity with rhythm and keeps them on edge

Unpitched percussion sound accented notes mainly on beats one, four, five and six. Relentlessly drives action forward

Upper strings play triplet crotchets against straight quavers before horns enter. Unsettles rhythm, builds intensity