On The Waterfront (Leonard Bernstein)

Question 1

Describe the instrumentation. Make three points

Answer 1

Emphasis on wind instruments reflects the influence of the genre of jazz, particularly with the alto saxophone’s solo

There is frequent use of the rim shot on snare drum belonging to an orchestra drum kit. Possibly to represent gunshots?

Trumpets and upper woodwind use flutter tonguing just before the pause leading into the gunshot section. Battle cries?

Question 2

Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make five points

Answer 2

Overwhelming sense of dissonance, particularly the clashing sound produced when the trumpets enter with a false relation

Horn’s solo in the opening bars uses notes originated from a simple pentatonic scale. Reflects the desire to warm towards jazz

Bitonality with clashes like the augmented 5th performed by the timpani during the establishment of the new vigorous section

Music is described as atonal during climactic samba inspired section. Maximises dramatic atmosphere, reinforcing war themes

Unusually, during coda section, two simple triads identified separately as F and B major are played simultaneously by strings

Question 3

Describe the texture. Make three points

Answer 3

Striking use of monophony to add power into the passage performed by an unaccompanied solo horn. Builds the atmosphere

Counterpoint heard earlier in the percussion in opening bars of the livelier section extends to a fugal style. Increases the density

Woodwind, brass and percussion sections perform a cycle of chords over sustained string chords. Keeps the timbre in stasis

Question 4

Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make four points

Answer 4

Opening bars contain syncopation, with a crotchet followed by a minim on the second beat. Moment of relaxation for the pulse

Two contrasting sections, one of them being a slow relaxed pace and the other being a more rhythmic and animated pulsation

Triplets and a time signature change are used during horn’s pentatonic solo in the opening bars. Removes rhythmic boundaries

Fugal section makes ongoing switches between triple time and cut common time bars. Pulse is going out of control and isn’t flat