Nuvole Bianche, White Clouds

Question 1

what is the time signature bars 5-51?

Answer 1

12/8. This is compound quadruple time.

Question 2

what is the time signature equivalent to?

Answer 2

four dotted crotchets

Question 3

Key?

Answer 3

A flat major, though it does not begin or end on the tonic chord

Question 4

what is the form? What distinguishes this form?

Answer 4

chaconne, it contains a recurring bass line or harmonic progression.

Question 5

What is the shape of the piece?

Answer 5

there is a gradual increase in tempo, volume, pitch, and density, climaxing from bar 43-50, then returning to a soft, slow coda.

Question 6

Sections names, tempo, volume and bars.

Answer 6

Intro: bars 1-4, mp, 40 crotchet beats
Section 1: bars 5-28, p-mp, 78-84 dotted crotchet beats
Interlude: bars 29-34, mp, 84 dotted crotchet beats
Section 2: bars 35-51, mf-f, 94-96 dotted crotchet beats
Coda: bars 52-55, mp, 40 crotchet beats

Question 7

Allargando, meaning?

Answer 7

becoming broader, slower.

Question 8

ca, meaning?

Answer 8

circa, indicates a suggestion for the speed.

Question 9

pause, proper name, and meaning.

Answer 9

fermenta, to be held longer than written value

Question 10

poco accel, full name and meaning.

Answer 10

poco accelerando, meaning gradually become a little faster.

Question 11

poco cresc, full name and meaning.

Answer 11

poco crescendo, meaning gradually becoming a little louder.

Question 12

crushed note, full name.

Answer 12

acciaccatura (atsh-yak-a-TOO-ra)

Question 13

riten, meaning?

Answer 13

ritenuto, slow immediatly

Question 14

molto ritardanda meaning?

Answer 14

gradually becoming much slower

Question 15

how do you identify minimalistic or ambient style?

Answer 15

recurring chord progressions
frequent repetition of melodic and rhythmic motives
very regular 4-bar phrase structure
subtle use of syncopation and cross-rhythms
Simple arpeggiated accompaniments with parallel 5ths in the bass
lack harmonic resolution

Question 16

When and where was Ludovico Einaudi born?

Answer 16

1955, Turin (Italy)

Question 17

Where did Einaudi study? Under who did he study?

Answer 17

Conservatorio Verdi in Milan. Also, with composer Luciano Berio.

Question 18

When did Einaudi start composing?

Answer 18

1990s, they were instrumental pieces in ambient, minimalistic style. He also started writing for film scores around this time.

Question 19

Does Einaudi perform?

Answer 19

Yes, he performs his works internationally as a piano soloist.

Question 20

Some composers that write in similar styles.

Answer 20

Philip Glass, Michael Nyman, Yann Tiersen and Yiruma.

Question 21

When was Nuvole Bianche released? and on wat album?

Answer 21

2004 on the album ‘Una Mattina’ (one morning)

Question 22

What is the chord progression?

Answer 22

vi-iv-i-v, this is usually four bars in length. based on the ‘primary triads’ of A flat major.

Question 23

What does not ending on tonic chords suggest?

Answer 23

lack of harmonic resolution suggests the ethereal nature of floating clouds.