Stravinsky Rhythm & Metre Flashcards
Give an example of the use of ‘free rhythm’.
At the very start - the introduction. there is no sense of pulse. Rubato is used. The main instrument (bassoon) is supported by others who have to follow it (colla parte).
What is rubato?
‘Robbing time’ - when the player pulls the speed around.
What is ‘colla parte’?
When the accompanying parts have to follow the tempo/rhythm of the soloist.
What is a triplet?
3 notes played int he time of 2 (e.g. 3 quavers played int eh time it takes to play 2 quavers. Triplet quavers are therefore not as long as ordinary quavers.
What is a quintuplet?
5 notes in the time of 4 (e.g. 5 quavers in the times of 4 quavers), so a quintuplet quaver is ever so slightly shorter than a normal quaver. To sing of play a quintuplet it helps to say the word ‘hippopotamus’.
When does Stravinsky use triplets, quintuplets etc?
All over the place - e.g. the very opening phrase.
What is polyrhythm?
The music has the feeling of being in more than one time signature simultaneously (at the same time). E.g. one part may feel like it has a metre of 3, whilst another feels like 4.
Give an example of Stravinsky using polyrhythm.
Polyrhythm can be found at the climax of the introduction, where simultaneous triplets, septuplets, straight quavers, etc. (bar 64).
Give an example of why Stravinsky uses polyrhythm.
At bar 64 of the introduction - all the different metres sound together to illustrate the chaos of the gradual awakening of nature at the beginning of spring.
Give an example of Stravinsky using polyrhythm in the ‘Ritual of Abduction’ section.
At figure 41 in the Ritual of Abduction the violins, violas and cellos play in compound triple time (9/8), while the double basses play in 4/8 and 5/8 and so the groupings do not align.
Give an example of 3 against 2 triplets.
Figure 15 - the trumpeter plays triplet quavers against the strings doing straight quavers.
Give an example of where Stravinsky regularly changes the time signature.
This can be seen right from the start, where 4/4, 3/4 and 2/4 alternate.
Explain the technique of ‘changing time signature’.
This is when Stravinsky goes from one time signature (metre) to a different one, changing regularly. For example, he might be counting in 4, then change to 3 then change to 2.
What is an unusual time signature?
This is a number that is used less commonly, such as when counting in quavers the beat is very rarely 2 or 4. This is because counting in quavers is usually in compound time (e.g. 6/8, 9/8, 12/8).
What is compound time?
When the beats are divisible by 3. E.g. in 6/8 you actually count in 2 (1 and a 2 and a) - each beat is 3 quavers long.
