White Clouds sections

Question 1

1-4 explain

Answer 1

introduction in Ab Major. The chord progression is heard twice. The dominant chord at the end of bars 2 and 4 create the expectation that a root position tonic chord will follow, but this expectation is continually subverted throughout the rest of the piece. The chord that follows creates an ‘interrupted’ progression.

Question 2

5-28 explain

Answer 2

section 1. the rate of harmonic progression is now 1 chord per bar. This passage begins softly, and gradually rises to mp. The tempo gradually increases from 78-84 dotted crotchets.
The melody in this section is mainly of repeated chord notes, but 1st and 3rd beats of the bar appoggiatura, that clashes with the harmony before resolving, creating then releasing musical tension.

Question 3

29-34 explain

Answer 3

interlude - the melody becomes slightely higher in pitch (rising to an F) The harmony is now only using three chords instead of four.

Question 4

35-51 explain

Answer 4

section 2, the volume rises from mf-f, and the tempo increases from 94-96. The climax of b. 43-50 contains the highest tempo, volume, and pitch of the entire piece. The harmonic progression is now two chords per bar, further increasing the sense of momentum.

Question 5

51-55 explain

Answer 5

coda, the same as the intro. This version ends with a pause on an unresolved dominant chord, the original version ends on a tonic note.