steven schwarz

Question 1

context of defying gravity

Answer 1

2003 play wicked
a song between glinda the good witch and Elphaba about Elephaba breaking the norm and literally and metaphorically defying gravity

Question 2

dynamics of defying gravity

Answer 2

goes from pp-ff
sfz sforzando (forced)
fp (intermittently) loud and quiet

Question 3

rhythm

Answer 3

starts of in 3/2 going then to 2/2 then turning to 4/4 where it stays until bar 101 where it goes to 3/4 then turning back to 4/4 until the end
lots of syncopation and rubato (robbed time)

Question 4

tempo of the piece

Answer 4

32 onwards is andante (walking pace)
46 onwards is allegro (fast)

Question 5

structure of the piece

Answer 5

introduction
verse 1
chorus
verse 2
chorus
bridge
chorus
introduction reprise
verse 3
chorus
coda

so basically extended verse chorus form

Question 6

melody of defying gravity

Answer 6

uses several leitmotifs to represent different people places etc…
mostly pentatonic but in bars 71-79 it is hexatonic to show start of colla voce

Question 7

what is a recitative

Answer 7

spoken parts of the song to progress the story

Question 8

intrumentation

Answer 8

typical classical orchestra with the addition of popular music instruments such as the electric guitar, drum kit, and synthesiser.
There are also unusual additions to the percussion section which include chimes, finger cymbals, crotales (a tuned percussion instrument which looks like a rack of small cymbals) and a nut rattle.