S Schwartz: Defying Gravity (from the album of the cast recording of Wicked) Flashcards
1
Q
Defying Gravity: Rhythm, metre, tempo
A
- Recitative sections are in free time
- Several changes in tempo
- Andante
- Moderato
- Allegro
- Maestoso
- Rall
- Syncopation
- Rubato
- Offbeat entries to phrases
- Changes in time sig
- 3/2
- 3/3
- 4/4
- 3/4
- 2/2
- Dotted rhythms
- Triplets
- Metric shifting (changing between simple and compound I think? I’ll get back to this…)
2
Q
Defying Gravity: Tonality
A
- Verses and chorus in D major
- G major
- Chromatic/ambiguous tonality during both ‘I hope you’re happy’ parts
- Sudden change of key from B major to F major
- Coda - only minor key - B minor
- Clash between keys of D major for glinda and Db major for Elphaba
3
Q
Defying Gravity: Timbre (Instrumentation/Orchestration)
A
- Wide vocal ranges:
- Glinda - Soprano (13th range)
- Elphaba - Mezzo (14th range)
- Large pit orchestra with modern sounds:
- Strings pizzicato and tremolo techniques used
- Brass
- Trumpets
- Trombones
- Hornes (fanfare-like)
- homophonic chords
- Piccolo
- Bass clarinet
- saxophone
- Harp
- Cor anglais
- 2x synth keyboards with different sounds
- 2x Electric guitars
- Percussion heavy
- Tubular bells
- Drum kit (closed hi-hat to provide momentum)
- Timpani
- Chimes
- Shaker
- Suspended cymbal
- Glockenspiel
- others that are less relevant
- Full band plays at climax
4
Q
Defying Gravity: Melody
A
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5
Q
Defying Gravity: Harmony
A
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6
Q
Defying Gravity: Structure
A
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7
Q
Defying Gravity: Articulation
A
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8
Q
Defying Gravity: Texture
A
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9
Q
Defying Gravity: Genre/period features
A
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10
Q
Defying Gravity: Main theme
A
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11
Q
What are the techniques used on the electric guitars in Defying Gravity?
A
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12
Q
What is the reason for using the Lydian mode in (the chorus’ ostinato and bride section of) Defying Gravity?
A
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