Wood Thrush (Olivier Messiaen) Flashcards
Area of Study 6
Describe the instrumentation. Make three points
Eoliphone is a strange orchestral instrument used to add a wind effect. Sets the scene which wood thrush is in
Sustain pedal on piano is over used during descending chromatic figures. Blends notes together, creating dissonance
Unusual pitched percussion, like glass, shell and wood chimes, are used to colour in themes of nature and wildlife
Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make four points
Slow fanfare consisting of notes one, four and five played by flute and French horn. Lack of bass note broadens tension
Apart from C Major intro, it’s ambiguous, particularly with descending piano chromatic figures. Denotes wood thrush’s flight?
Cluster chords and chords with added seconds are used in slow woodwind crotchet section. Produces an ethereal effect
Explores varieties of chords throughout, from diminished to augmented to dissonance to jazz chords, like major sevenths
Describe the texture. Make three points
Homorhythmic passages in woodwind section, piano and French horn. Feels quite sparse if all parts are following in unison
Woodwind crotchet section is played atonally in stepwise manner, each with two part writing per stave. Reinforces eeriness
Polyphonic patches and predominant passages caused by immediate and unexpected rates of change. Considered surprising
Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make five points
Demisemiquavers played by pitched percussion after eoliphone solo. Ringtone effect creates element of surprise
Varies from very slow to quite snappy, which unsettles the pulse dramatically. Familiarity in terms of the beat is lost
Rapid triplets are played in triangle as demisemiquaver motif is sounded by pitched percussion. Creates elements of mystery
Dotted rhythms and syncopation are used, particularly in piano after horn’s second solo figure. Drives the resonance forward
Switches between quadruplets and triplets are used in solo flute of three chimes’ motif. Represents the wood thrush’s voice?
