Stravinsky - Texture Flashcards
What is polyphony?
Multiple layers of music overlapping each other. In polyphonic music (sometimes described as ‘contrapuntal’) it can be difficult to identify who is playing/singing the main melodic part.
What is the overriding texture of the RoS?
Polyphonic.
Give a good example of Stravinsky’s uses of polyphony in the RoS.
A prime example is at the end of the introduction.
Why does Stravinsky use a polyphonic texture?
At the end of the introduction he deliberately uses it to represent the chaos of the new born Spring.
Describe the way the texture builds in the introduction?
Opens monophonic (bassoon), then the horn accompanies the bassoon to create a duet/2 part texture, then at Fig 3 there are 4 instruments playing a 4 part texture, then by the end of the movement full polyphony.
Why does the texture build in the way it does in the Introduction?
It represents the gradual growth of life in Spring, from the early little shoots to the full blown growth.
What is the texture for the ‘Augurs of Spring’ section?
Homophonic
What is a ‘homophonic’ texture?
In simple terms - a melody dominated texture. The melody can be clearly heard as the most important part among the music. Homophonic music must have a melody with an accompaniment.
What is ‘strict homophony’?
When the accompaniment plays the same rhythm as the melody.
Where does strict homophony occur in the RoS?
A good example is at the start of the ‘Augurs of Spring’.
Why do you think Stravinsky uses strict homophony at certain points?
It adds weight, power, drama menace to the dance. It allows for the ‘stamping’ that Nijinsky choreographed.
Give an example of Stravinsky using ostinati and counter melody.
This occurs at figure 29 in the ‘Augurs’.
Why does Stravinsky have moments of such polyphonic complexity?
Again, this is to represent the chaos of Spring, the jolting paganistic features of the dance.
What does homorhythmic mean?
When all the instruments play the same rhythm. This is the same as ‘strict homophony’.
Give a good example of homorhythmic texture.
Figure 43 in the ‘The Ritual of Abduction’.
