Verse 10 Analysis

Question 1

Dynamic

Answer 1

Mezzo forte
Mezzo piano at 143 then Crescendo
Mezzo forte in 144 again

Question 2

Rhythm & Metre

Answer 2

Metre 12/8
6/8 at 142
12/8 at 143
6/8 at 144
4/4 at 145 - all create tension

Syncopation creates tension and word painting “at the end of the day” b.134, “trouble” b.135, “and there’s trouble” b.136, 137, 142
Cross rhythms as time signature changes 6/4 against 12/8 at 138,139,140,141,143
At 142 there is 3/4 against 6/8

Question 3

Pitch

Answer 3

Shrill verse as other women turn vindictive against Fantine
No optimism or unity of earlier verses

Lowest note ‘F’ - perfect 4th from middle ‘C’
Highest note ‘G’ - compound perfect 5th from middle ‘C’

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

Section K, verse 10, bars 134 - 145 (11 bars long), short phrases = tension

Question 5

Melody

Answer 5

Similar to verse 3
Intervals support word painting and mood of tension eg
Falling major 2nd “trouble for one” at 134,135,136-7
Rising semitone - minor 2nd “trouble” 136
Falling semitone minor 2nd at 140 “away”
Sopranos and altos in minor 6th at 138,140
Minor 3rds at 142

2 note Anacrusis 137,138,139,140
1 note anacrusis 141
Melisma - group of notes to one syllable “have” and “pay” 143

Question 6

Instrumentation

Answer 6

Chorus of singers then sopranos and altos take over in 138

Horn, flute and strings

Question 7

Tempo
Tonality
Texture
Timbre

Answer 7

Molto allegro (very fast)
F major -> Gb major b.140 (semitone fits tense mood) -> Ab major b.142 -> D minor b.145.1 (Section L)
Unison and a Capella (monophonic) b.144
Horn, flute and strings

Question 8

Harmony

Answer 8

Similar to verse 3
5 Imperfect cadences bars 138 (I & V11), 139 (I & V), 140 (I9 & V11), 141 (I9 & V) and 142 - 143 (I9,11 & V) - word paints “to pay”
One perfect cadence bars 136 - 137 (I & IVb11)