The Lamb By John Tavener

Question 0

What year was it written? What century

Answer 0

1982 20th century- post modern

Question 1

Describe the stylistic features which show that this song was composed in the 20th century. (10 marks)

Answer 1

• use of aeolian mode on E b.7-10
• use of bitonality b.2 Gmajor (sop) and Eb major (alto)
• use of serialist techniques. Eg, retrograde b. 3-4 and inversion
• use of rhythmic augmentation b.9-10
• use of unprepared 7ths eg D in tenor b.7
• use of parallel 5ths between sop and tenor in b.7
• no key signature and ambiguous tonality in b.1
• no time signature- free rhythm/ time guided by the words
• use of modal perfect cadences Bminor –> Eminor in final bar
• use of minimalistic techniques eg lots of repetition in sops bars. 7-10 (4 times)
• use of false relation in b.2 F& F#- discordant harmony

Question 2

What was it originally written for?

Answer 2

Nephews 3rd birthday

Question 3

Who wrote the Poem the lyrics are based on? And what are they about

Answer 3

William Blake. Lamb representing Jesus. Destiny of human

Question 4

What sort of song is it?

Answer 4

Sacred

Question 5

What was taveners piece ‘song for Athene’ what was this written for?

Answer 5

Princess Diana’s funeral

Question 6

Overall structure of the lamb. What form?

Answer 6

Strophic form.
2 verses- b.1-10
B.11-20
Only difference is lyrics

Question 7

Structure of each verse?

Answer 7

Ternary: ABA1
Verse 1: section A b.1-2 (2 bars)
Section B b.3-6 (3bars)
Section c b.7-10 (3bars)

Question 8

Key features of rhythm metre and tempo?

Answer 8

Tempo: slow/largo flexible crotchet = 40
Metre: flexible and guided by the words. No time sig.
Rhythm: riots, pauses,last bar of each phrase uses rhytmic augmentation.

Question 9

What’s rhythmic augmentation used for

Answer 9

To slow down

Question 10

Describe the dynamics

Answer 10

Small range pp-mp
Moves with sections
No crescendos or diminuendos
Quiet

Question 11

Main features of sop melody

• range
• phrasing
• key intervals
• notes
• word settings

Answer 11

Range: Eb to B. Narrow in the SAT. Augmented 5th range in sop
Phrasing: 1 or 2 bars. Always start and end on G
Word setting: mainly syllabic some 2 note Melissa’s (slurs!)
Intervals: conjunct major/minor 3rds

Question 12

Texture through bars

Answer 12

B.1- monophonic 
B.2- 2 part homorhythmic  
B.3-4 monophonic 
B. 5-6 2 part homorhythmic 
B. 7-10 4 part homorhythmic 
B.11 monophonic in octaves 
B.12 4 part homorhythmic 
B.13-14 monophonic in octaves

Question 13

No key: how and what key is suggested in b.1

Answer 13

G major- starts and ends on a G use of F#

4notes of Gmajor scale used

Question 14

Why can b.2 be described as ‘bitonal’

Answer 14

2 different keys (G& Eb) are played at once

Question 15

‘Joy- sorrow’ chord. What’s the chord?

Answer 15

A minor 9th

Question 16

Aeolian mode an with intervals

Answer 16

A B C D E F G A

T S T T S T T T

Question 17

Aeolian mode on E

Answer 17

E F# G A B C D E

Question 18

Characteristics of the harmony and tonality

Answer 18

Perfect modal cadence at the end of the piece
Use of bitonality in bar 2
Ambiguous tonality at start b.1 suggest G
Double suspension
Use of aeolian on E b.7-10

Question 19

Mode and final cadence which piece ends

Answer 19

Perfect modal cadence