Purcell

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

Word setting is mostly syllabic
Some melisma (eternal)
Word painting is used throughout (pains)
Scalic, with many passing notes
Many ornaments, common of Baroque music
Descending sequences
Ascending sequence on ‘wond’ring’
Rests break up phrases

Question 2

Harmony

Answer 2

Ground bass played on the bass viol and left hand of the harpsichord
Chords are diatonic
Many perfect cadences are used throughout
Dissonance - word painting
Occasional suspensions
Right hand of the harpsichord plays a realisation
Ascending sequence in ground bass
Occasional suspension in the ground bass

Question 3

Texture

Answer 3

Homophonic texture
Ground bass accompanies
Realisation can give it a polyphonic

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

Ternary form

Question 5

Metre + Tempo

Answer 5

4/4 metre
There is a very slow tempo

Question 6

Tonality

Answer 6

Main key is A minor
The minor key reflects the lamenting tone of the lyrics
It modulates to several related keys like C major and A major

Question 7

Rhythm

Answer 7

Ground bass uses repeated quaver rhythms
Mostly quaver and semiquaver rhythms
Some dotted rhythms and syncopation

Question 8

Instruments

Answer 8

Soprano singer (tenor)
Accompanied by the harpsichord and the bass viol.
The right hand of the harpsichord plays an improvised realisation