'Music For A While' - Henry Purcell

Question 1

Describe 2 ways in which Purcell gives emphasis to individual words or syllables in this set work.

Answer 1

A)

Question 2

S1) How does Purcell bring this expressive text to life in this song? Can you give one example?

Answer 2

S1) Word-painting
‘Until the snakes drop, drop, drop, drop, drop etc.’
Descending sequence to represent the snakes dropping

Question 3

S2) What mood do you think Purcell is trying to achieve in this song? How does Purcell achieve this mood in the music?

Answer 3

S2) falling phrases, minor keys, slow tempo

Question 4

S3) In your own words, describe what the words ‘syllabic’ and ‘melismatic’ mean.

Answer 4

S3) syllabic - when one note is sung per syllable

melismatic - vocal melody with several or even many notes per syllable

Question 5

C1) Describe the state of music in England during Purcell’s lifetime.

Answer 5

C1)

Question 6

C2) Explain what a ground bass is and how it works in this song.

Answer 6

C2) also known as bass ostinato, the music is written above a repeating pattern of bass notes.
features include: a minor key, a straightforward rhythm made up of quavers, crotchets, minims, a slow and stately tempo, ending with a perfect cadence, a fairly solemn mood, use of chromatic notes to give it melodic interest.

Question 7

C3) Name two features of the song that show it was written in the Baroque era.

Answer 7

C3)