Purcell

Question 1

When was this composed and what for?

Answer 1

-baroque (1692)
-incidental music for Oedipus

Question 2

Are there dynamics in this piece?

Answer 2

No - Baroque so no dynamics

Question 3

What is the tempo?

Answer 3

There’s no marking but it’s slow

Question 4

What kind of piece does Music For A While have the features of? What are these features?

Answer 4

-lament
-falling phrases, slow tempo, minor key, basso continuo and voice

Question 5

How long is a basso continuo normally? How long is the basso continuo in this?

Answer 5

-1, 2, 4 or 8 bars
-3 bars

Question 6

What is the structure of the piece?

Answer 6

Da Capo Aria - ABA where the A section is repeated with the singer making slight variations

Question 7

When is the basso continuo established?

Answer 7

The 3 bar intro

Question 8

Is it syllabic or melismatic?

Answer 8

Bit of both

Question 9

Give an example of word painting?

Answer 9

‘Eternal’ - long melisma

Question 10

What ornaments are used in this piece?

Answer 10

-mordents
-appogiaturas
-acciaccaturas

Question 11

What instruments are used in this piece?

Answer 11

-soprano
-harpsichord
-bass viol

Question 12

What is the texture of this piece?

Answer 12

Homophonic

Question 13

What key is the piece in?

Answer 13

A minor

Question 14

what key is the B section in?

Answer 14

C major

Question 15

what harmonic features help create pain and sorrow?

Answer 15

dissonance and suspentions

Question 16

what word painting is used on ‘snakes’?

Answer 16

there is a tierce de picardie - a cadence with a major tonic chord in a minor key - which creates drama

Question 17

Conjunct or disjunct?

Answer 17

Mainly conjunct/scalic

Question 18

Give an example of a suspension

Answer 18

‘Eased’

Question 19

….. phrases create a calming atmosphere

Answer 19

Decending