Ripples In The Rockpool

Question 1

Who is the composer of the song and when was he born

Answer 1

Shaun Davey (Born 1948)

Question 2

What suite is this set work a part of?

Answer 2

It is the 2nd Movement from the Granuaile Suite

Question 3

Explain suite

Answer 3

A set of pieces of music that was originally composed to be played in a concert setting.

Question 4

Briefly describe the story of the suite

Answer 4

The Granuaile Suite is based on the life of Grace O’Malley (Gráinne Mhaol) an Irish pirate Queen in the 16th Century. She sailed the seas around Ireland in a turbulent time of great
political and social change.

Question 5

What is the tonality and key of the piece

Answer 5

Modal - The Re Mode

Question 6

What is the mood of the piece

Answer 6

Exciting, Restless

Question 7

What is the form of the piece

Answer 7

Introduction
• Verse 1 - Verse 2 - Chorus - Bridge
• Verse 3 - Verse 4 - Chorus - Bridge
• Verse 5 - Verse 6 - Chorus - Bridge
• Dance Section
• Bridge - Chorus - Bridge - Final Chorus

Question 8

Explain the term modal

Answer 8

The melody is in the re mode. This is neither major or minor but is based around the re note B in the scale of A major so B is the tonic

Question 9

What effect on the music does the changing time signatures have and why use this in a piece

Answer 9

The time signature changes throughout the piece creating a restless jaunty mood. This reflects Gráinne Mhaol’s life at sea and the turbulent political status in Ireland at the time.

Question 10

Explain word painting and give an example from the piece

Answer 10

When the meaning of the lyrics are reflected in the music Ex. Flute and clarinet play ascending scale on the word rising in verse 4

Question 11

Explain sequence

Answer 11

Sequences - A musical idea which is repeated at different pitches.

Question 12

Explain motif

Answer 12

A musical idea

Question 13

Name five musical features of the overall piece

Answer 13

Modal
Instrumentation- including irish and foreign instruments
Changing time signatures
Word painting
Sequences
Syncopation

Question 14

Describe the introduction to the piece with its musical features bar 1-2

Answer 14

Violas play repeated semiquavers and cello’s player a drone on B and F#.
This creates and mood of tension and expectation.
4/4 time

Question 15

Describe the verses refering to their musical features

Answer 15

Features a sequence - The first bar of melody is repeated a tone lower in the second bar.

Verse three features accented off beat motif

The Melody is in the re mode.

The melody features changing time signatures creating a restless unsettled mood.

Verse four features word-painting.

The instrumentation and voices vary from verse to verse.

Question 16

Describe the bridges with reference to their musical features

Answer 16

The bridge sections link the other sections together. They do not feature the singers.

They feature an accented motif with grace notes.

Bridges once feature a brass descending motif and in another a glissando

Question 17

Describe the dance section with reference to its musical features

Answer 17

Uillean pipes play a lively reel
Changing time signature 4/4 5/4
Semiquaver triplets
Woodwind motifs
Strings and guitar accompaniment

Question 18

Describe the Choruses(bar last) based on their musical features

Answer 18

Changing time signatures.
Syncopated strings accompaniment in some choruses.
The instrumentation and voices vary from chorus to chorus.
Strings accompaniment changes from verse to verse from pizzicato, long notes, syncopated

Question 19

Describe the last chorus with reference to musical features

Answer 19

Full ensemble
Trumpets,horns enter
Loud dynamics
Sudden ending

Question 20

List the instrumentation of ripples in the rockpool

Answer 20

Flute - woodwind
Piccolo - woodwind
Oboe - woodwind
Clarinet - woodwind
Bassoon - woodwind
Trumpet - brass
French Horn - brass
Xylophone - percussion
Timpani - percussion
Conga Drums* - percussion
(non-standard)
Violin - strings
Viola - strings
Cello - strings
Double Bass - strings
Uilleann pipes* - Irish
Irish harp* - Irish
Guitar* - non- standard/folk
Piano* - non-standard
Solo female voice
Solo male voice

Question 21

Name two other works by shaun davey

Answer 21

The pilgrim

May we never have to say goodbye

Question 22

When was this piece written

Answer 22

1985