Stravinsky - Structure (Ritual of Abduction)

Question 1

At the beginning of this section the trumpets play an Eb7 chord. What inspires them to play this/how does it relate to preceding music?

Answer 1

The notes come from the ostinato that the cor Anglais wer playing at the end of the ‘Augurs Section’. This provides a structural link.

Question 2

What happens musically at the beginning of this section to depict the change in mood?

Answer 2

Tempo - presto (very quick)
Metre - 9/8 (compound time, giving a sense of movement)
Tonality - diatonic melody using mixolydian mode in woodwind.

Question 3

How does the music become more dissonant at figure 39?

Answer 3

Dissonant chromatic scales in consecutive seconds (i.e. a chord, where the notes are 2 apart)

Question 4

How does the percussion section play in this section?

Answer 4

Big and bold timpani drums.

Question 5

What is the horn part similar to at figure 40?

Answer 5

Hunting horns/war cry.

Question 6

How is the horn part particularly effective at adding drama?

Answer 6

It is a perfect 5th diatonic interval set against heavily dissonant accompaniment, like rats scurrying around.

Question 7

How does the rhythm/metre alter at figure 41?

Answer 7

The metre becomes very complex. It is a mixture of some parts playing in 9/8, against other parts playing like it is 4/8 followed by 5/8. This is known as ‘polymetre’.