Uematsu - Aerith’s Theme Flashcards
What is the general structure of the sections in the piece?
A B C and a Coda
What key is this piece written in?
D major
During the A theme of the piece, how many chords are diatonic?
Only one (the tonic chord.)
What gives the first phrase its fragile, melancholic character?
Chord five is substituted in its minor version.
What does the harmony use throughout to create a general sense of warmth and fragility?
Added 9th chords.
When the A theme repeats, how is it developed?
More chordal movements underneath which creates a descending countermelody.
How does the harmony and melody at the start of theme B create more of a sense of purpose in the music?
The melody is rising gradually and the chords are diatonic.
How is the countermelody during theme B related to the countermelody in theme A?
It is an augmented development of the countermelody in theme A.
How is the character’s unusual nature and loneliness come through during theme A?
There is only one chord used which belongs to the key.
Which cadence is suggested at the end of theme A and how is this different from its standard version?
Plagal cadence, however, chord IV is substituted with its minor version.
How is balanced achieved in theme B?
The steadily rising, positive conjunct melody is balanced with a descending, melancholic disjunct melody.
What is the mood of theme C?
Triumphant and fanfare-like.
What makes the music sound somewhat modal?
The use of the dominant minor chord.
When we first hear the standard chord V, what inversion is it in?
1st.
When do we first hear the standard chord V?
During theme C.
How does the texture of theme C contrast with the texture of the other sections?
It is more chordal/ homophonic.
What adds to the general sense of purpose in theme B?
There is much more movement in the accompaniment.
What helps express the spiritual aspects of the character?
The use of the iv (minor 4th) in a ‘plagal cadence’ and the piece’s modalities created by the dominant major chord.
In which section does the melody reach its highest point?
During theme C.
Which instrument begins the piece?
The piano.
How is the repeat of theme A phrase developed in terms of timbre?
When it repeats, it’s played by flutes and violins with brass accompaniment.
How does the coda reflect the character’s loneliness?
The texture is monophonic.
When the main theme in section A repeats, how is it developed?
There is a steadily descending chord accompaniment/ countermelody in crotchets.
What is the rhythm of the opening line?
Quaver, quaver, dotted minim twice, then eight quavers and two minims.
