Overall Analysis Flashcards
Dynamics
Pianissimo throughout
Creates mood of regret and doubt
Rhythm & Metre
12/8 to 9/8 and throughout
4 dotted crotchets per bar
Basic harmonic rhythm - 1 chord per bar
Some notated rubato effects eg tenuto, rallentando, pause - this creates sadness and slow momentum
Cross rhythm and Hemiola 10,15,16,24,36,37
Structure
Ternary ABA
A= verses 1-14, 23-43
B = bridge 14-23
Verse 2 has 2 sections with 5 bar instrumental in between
Pitch
Low pitch register for low mood
Ironic Word painting - ground is higher pitch than air at 5-6
Bridge slightly higher as accompaniment fills out
Melody
Fragmented melody using 3 note anacrusis to highlight stuttering
Rising main motif is ironic - “isn’t it, are we, don’t you”
Intervals- 3rds, perfect 4ths, perfect 5ths, 8ves gives sense of no point fighting it
Contours give lilting effect of lost at sea
Instrumentation
Clarinet solo intro 1-2, Vocal 2-7, Doubles melody at 5
Harp and low strings art bar 3
Low strings
Flute
Tempo
Texture
Tonality
Lento, Lots of pauses and slowing creating mood
Tenuto, poco ritenuto, fermata, a caesura, rallentando, Molotov
Antiphonal Between voice and orchestra
Highlights doubts echoing back
Db major, bridge is F minor, then back
Harmony
Overall harmony based on tonic chord (I) sustained underneath
V7 on 4th beat and tonic chord sustained underneath
Main primary I,IV,V
1/2 dim7 chord gives irony - “sure of my lines”
Perfect cadences give mood of inevitability and irony “rich, pair, year” at 2, 4, 16, 23 - 24, 29 - 30, 35 - 36, 36 - 37 and 41 - 42
Plagal cadence shows things are unsettled at 24 - 25, 34 - 35 and 39 - 40
Imperfect cadence for clowns at 7, 19, 21 - 22, 28 - 29
Word setting
“Send in the clowns” and “one who keeps tearing around”
Elements allow room for vocal to be emphasised
Perfect cadence (V7,9 & I) at 29 - 30 “Don’t bother they’re here.”
Word painting
Ironic, linked with intervals, anacrusis,pitch
“Career” At 21 - her failed career
“Clowns” as melody falls
