Somethings Coming-Bernstein

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

• Introduction
• Sections (A-B)
• Sections (B1-A1)
• 2 main sections with a varied repeat
• Outro
• Ends unresolved on a flat 7th C natural

Question 2

Melody

Answer 2

• Blues scale/notes
• Use of tritone
• Higher tessitura in second section than first
• Syllabic
• Short 2 bar phrases
• Longer 8 bar phrases (around the corner)
• Contrasted lyrical sections with longer notes
• Melodic riffs used
• Word painting (e.g cannon-balling down through the sky)

Question 3

Rhythm

Answer 3

• Syncopation
• Cross rhythms
• ‘Push” rhythms anticipating the beat
• Driving rhythms
• Accents
• Frequent use of short rhythmic riffs/ostinati
• Some use straight rhythms too

Question 4

Harmony/Tonality

Answer 4

• D major/ major tonality
• Jazz based harmony/dissonances
• Bi-tonal sections
• Extended chords/ added 7th/9th/11th chords
• Conventional chords with added blues notes
• Chromatic (b. 77-81)
• Uses tritone/augmented 4th as part of chord (D major with added G sharp)
• Uses a Neapolitan chord/ flattened super tonic chord in first inv. in bar 95

Question 5

Instrumentation

Answer 5

• Large/full orchestra/band/ 30 players
• Some players double up on instruments
• Piccolo, flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, (SATB), horns, trumpets, trombones, violins, cellos and bass, drum kit, percussion, piano, celeste, and guitars (acoustic, electric and mandolin)