Orchestral Intro (John Adams)

Question 1

Describe the instrumentation. Make four points

Answer 1

Trombones enter when pedal note returns to tonic with staccato quavers on second beat. Brass associated with warfare

Trumpets enter with mutes when pedal note returns to tonic once again. Gives the timbre a mellow, uncomforting colour

Upper strings play with pizzicato when music changes to B flat minor on top of muted trumpets playing trombone motif

No solo instruments, meaning that different groups of orchestra enter simultaneously. Focuses primarily on atmosphere

Question 2

Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make five points

Answer 2

Some of the notes of natural minor scale played by strings clash with tonic pedal note, making dissonant chords stationary

In a natural minor key in the opening bars, since that the strings are repeating its scale as a motif. Sets up the histrionic tone

When pedal note moves to the sharpened mediant note, dissonance begins to creep in more in clarinets. Builds towards action

Changes from A natural minor to F natural minor, but the woodwind parts are dotted with accidentals, creating dissonant chords

Before vocalists enter with first bodies of lyrics, all chords are either dissonant, contains suspended notes or fit in minor scales

Question 3

Describe the texture. Make two points

Answer 3

Tonic pedal note held in lower strings and left hand of the piano to reinforce the density of the timbre. Ominous sounding

French horns with bassoons and piccolo flutes play clashing idea in octaves on top of natural minor scales. Sparse sounding

Question 4

Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make four points

Answer 4

Syncopation in opening bars in bassoon accompanying piano and upper strings’ repetition of natural minor scale. Disconcerting

Moves at a steady and moderate, yet continuous motion in opening bars way before the vocalists enter with the lyrics. Eerie

Metre changes from simple quadruple time to compound ones more frequently, upsetting the motion of the natural minor scales

Muted trumpets play trombone motif in groups of four across bar lines, with accents on fourth beat of every bar. Akin to an echo?