Ripples In The Rockpool Flashcards
Who is the composer of the song and when was he born
Shaun Davey (Born 1948)
What suite is this set work a part of?
It is the 2nd Movement from the Granuaile Suite
Explain suite
A set of pieces of music that was originally composed to be played in a concert setting.
Briefly describe the story of the suite
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.
What is the tonality and key of the piece
Modal - The Re Mode
What is the mood of the piece
Exciting, Restless
What is the form of the piece
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
Explain the term modal
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
What effect on the music does the changing time signatures have and why use this in a piece
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.
Explain word painting and give an example from the piece
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
Explain sequence
Sequences - A musical idea which is repeated at different pitches.
Explain motif
A musical idea
Name five musical features of the overall piece
Modal Instrumentation- including irish and foreign instruments Changing time signatures Word painting Sequences Syncopation
Describe the introduction to the piece with its musical features bar 1-2
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
Describe the verses refering to their musical features
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.
Describe the bridges with reference to their musical features
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
Describe the dance section with reference to its musical features
Uillean pipes play a lively reel Changing time signature 4/4 5/4 Semiquaver triplets Woodwind motifs Strings and guitar accompaniment
Describe the Choruses(bar last) based on their musical features
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
Describe the last chorus with reference to musical features
Full ensemble
Trumpets,horns enter
Loud dynamics
Sudden ending
List the instrumentation of ripples in the rockpool
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
Name two other works by shaun davey
The pilgrim
May we never have to say goodbye
When was this piece written
1985
