Set Works Analyses Music

Transcription

1 REVISED GCSE Set Works Analyses Music For use with the revised GCSE Music specification (for first teaching from September 2009)

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3 Contents Page Introduction: Purpose of the Guidance 3 Core Area of Study: Repeated Patterns in Music Pachelbel: Canon in D major 6 Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 Allegretto (2 nd movement) 9 Holst: The Planets Mars 12 Jenkins: Requiem Dies Irae 15 Optional Area of Study 1: Musical Traditions in Ireland To follow Optional Area of Study 2: Incidental Music Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night s Dream Overture 25 Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite Morning, In the hall of the Mountain King 29 Hans Zimmer: Pirates of the Caribbean (Dead Man s Chest) Davy Jones Theme 32 Ron Grainer: Dr Who Theme revised title theme 2005 series 35 Optional Area of Study 3: Vocal Music Handel: Messiah 41 Recitative: There were shepherds, And the Angel and And suddenly Chorus: Glory to God Aria: Why do the nations? Schubert: Die Erlkönig (The Erl King) 44 Stephen Schwartz: Wicked 47 Chorus: One Short Day Duet: What is this feeling? Snow Patrol: Final Straw - Run 51

4 Introduction: Purpose of the Guidance This guidance is designed to support the teaching of CCEA s Specification for GCSE Music (for first teaching, September 2009). It should be read in conjunction with the specification, the scheme of work and (when they become available) the exemplar assessment materials. This and subsequent support material can be found on our subject microsite: These set work analyses provide a background, context and analysis of each work that appears in the Core and Optional Areas of Study in the specification. We have listed timecodes in reference to specific points in each of the set works. Throughout the document we have listed the timings as, for example, (1:20) which indicates 1 minute and 20 seconds into the relevant recording. These timings are based on the recordings we have suggested on our microsite. Where scores are available, we have also listed rehearsal marks or bar numbers. This material is intended as an aid to teaching, a resource to supplement teachers own research and to fill in the musical detail of the set works. Whilst these analyses are relevant and pertinent to the teaching of GCSE Music, it does of course go beyond the depth to which candidates might reasonably expect to be questioned in a Listening and Appraising paper. This material is available on the microsite as a pdf and as a Word document so that teachers may incorporate their own existing notes into this document. We hope that you find this aspect of our support useful in your teaching. Best wishes Roger Trigg Subject Officer Music rtrigg@ccea.org.uk 3

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6 Core Area of Study: Repeated Patterns in Music 5

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8 Pachelbel ( ): Canon in D major Biographical detail Johann Pachelbel was born in Nuremberg, Germany in August 1653 and became one of the great organist-composers of the Baroque era He died in Nuremberg on March 6 th, Pachelbel is principally remembered as a composer of church and organ music, especially his chorale preludes and variations. Pachelbel is also credited with influencing the early keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach. It is believed that the Canon in D major was written (along with a Gigue in the same key) in or around Background & Context This work was not published until the 1920 s with the first recordings emerging some twenty years later. Canon in D major has undergone hundreds of transformations in the intervening years, and has been recorded by artists as diverse as Pet Shop Boys and the Farm. It was the latter s reworking of Pachelbel s original for their 2004 hit release which became more widely recognised in its use as the theme tune of the English Euro 2004 team (All together now). Frequently used as a processional at weddings, this work has appeared in several films and also in television adverts such as, British Gas, Pure New Wool and Ambrosia. Analysis The Canon in D major was originally written for three violins and basso continuo. The original version of the Canon is rarely played today and the basso continuo (Example 1) is frequently undertaken by cello, harpsichord or organ. Example 1 The term canon to describe this work, is true in that the parts follow in strict canonic order throughout the work. The harmonic progressions heard above the ground bass (basso ostinato) also never alter. The title Canon therefore, refers to the way the three violin parts work, playing the same music (in this piece) 2 bars apart (Example 2). 7

9 Example 2 After the initial statement of the ground bass (Example 1), first violin enters with a simple descending and ascending crotchet pattern. Two bars later the second violin adds to the texture by playing in thirds with the first violin (Example 3-0:27). As the third violin enters with the descending crotchet pattern, Violin 1 has begun the next variation, this time in quavers (Example 4-0:40). Example 3 Example 4 Further progression occurs when a new scalic semiquaver variation begins. (Example 5-1:03).A more disjointed variation of the crotchet pattern exploiting octave leaps follows (1:27), followed in turn by the fastest variation featuring demisemiquaver patterns (Example 6-1:50). This variant features repeated half-bar sequences. 8

10 Example 5 Example 6 As the canon becomes increasingly dense towards the middle of the piece, other interesting variants occur when the descending crotchet pattern (Example 2) is reworked and each note is repeated in semiquavers (2:34). Arguably the most melodically memorable legato variant is heard as the texture becomes increasingly sparse with lighter scoring and less counterpoint (3:23). As the note values lengthen, the piece gradually reverts to a less complex structure and after 28 repetitions of the original ground bass (Example 1), the work ends. The chord progression used in Canon ( I V vi iii IV I IV V = D major, A major, B minor, F# minor, G major, D major, G major and A major) was to influence many composers including Handel, Haydn, Mozart and the many hundreds of contemporary musicians who have used it. The simplicity of the Canon is untypical of the Baroque era in that Pachelbel employs no complex contrapuntal devices such as augmentation, diminution, inversion etc. Performance detail It is also important to note that the fashionable very slow tempo of performance currently heard in most recordings contrasts with the much faster tempi employed by performers in the Baroque period. Many recordings also feature an accompaniment over the opening ground bass (bars 1-2). 9

11 Beethoven ( ): Symphony No. 7 in A Allegretto (2 nd movement) Work on the Symphony began in 1811 and was completed in First performance took place in Vienna in 1813 at a charity concert for soldiers wounded at the battle of Hanau with Beethoven conducting. The symphony is scored for a Classical Orchestra - 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns 2 trumpets, timpani and strings. This is unusual as Beethoven had used larger forces in previous symphonies, particularly No. 5 where he included Piccolo, double bassoon and three trombones. There are four movements. The 2 nd movement is the only one of the four which is not dance-like in character, yet it is the best known. Its main characteristic is the repeated crotchet/two quaver figure (ostinato) that continues throughout the piece not only in the bass but at other times on different instruments of the orchestra. Although it is the slow movement of the symphony, Beethoven marks it Allegretto ie a little lively. It is this contrast between the steady march-like figure in the minor key and the lightness which he expects the rhythm to be in performance that helps to give the movement its strange appeal. Analysis Theme 1 Theme 2 Theme 3 10

12 0:00 The movement opens with a chord of A minor played by the oboes, clarinets, bassoons and horns. This begins f and quickly fades to pp establishing the key of the movement. 0:05 (Bar 3) Theme 1 is stated p by the violas against a strong rhythmic pulse of a crotchet and two quavers which continues throughout the movement. The theme is 16 bars long with the second eight bars being repeated (Bar 27) The violas and cellos introduce Theme 2 while the 2 nd violins continue with Theme 1 the cellos and double basses continue the regular pulse in an octave version of the opening rhythm. Theme 2 is also 16 bars long with the second eight bars repeated. 1:32 (Bar 51) At this point the 1 st violins take Theme 1 an octave higher while the 2 nd violins play Theme 2, with the violas and cellos providing a quaver accompaniment with a modified version of the rhythm. From this point there is a gradual crescendo as the music approaches the climax of this part of the movement. 1:51 (Bar 67) The oboes and bassoons add off-beat chords 2:08 (Bar 75, Letter A) At this point we hear a full orchestral tutti ff. The Woodwind and horns play Theme 1, the 1 st violins play Theme 2 whilst the string section support with arpeggios underneath. The violas, cellos and double basses accompany with triplet figures against quaver movement in the 2 nd violins. The trumpets and timpani punctuate with loud tonic/dominant crotchets. This passage comes to an end on a long diminuendo. 2:47 (Bar 99) A two bar cadence is repeated quietly by the oboes, clarinets, bassoons and horns. A one beat silence leads directly into the second part of the movement which is in A major (Bar 101). 2:53 Theme 3 is much more lyrical and a direct contrast to music up until this point. This theme in descending and ascending crotchets is played by the clarinets and bassoons initially and then taken up by the other wind instruments. This melody is more serene and lyrical but Beethoven keeps the insistent rhythm of Theme 1 in the cellos and double basses and a running figuration in quaver triplets in the 1 st violins, maintaining the restless mood of the piece. 3:20 (Bar 117) As this part of the movement continues, the woodwind begin to take over the persistent quaver triplets in a series of sequences and imitative phrases where the clarinet and horn answer one another and the music begins to quieten again and move into C major the relative major key of the movement. 3:57 (Bar 139) Again, we hear imitative phrases this time from the flute, oboe and bassoon. Beethoven then brings the section to a close with downward scales in triplets through the orchestra, emphasising the rhythmic quaver figure ff leading directly into 4:12 (Bar 150, Letter B) a repeat of the opening themes p with the woodwind playing Theme 2, the violins and violas answering each other in semiquaver arpeggio-like figures and the cellos and double basses playing Theme 1. 11

13 4:56 (Bar 173) This section draws to a close with a ten bar tonic pedal (A minor) in the trumpet, timpani and cellos and double basses emphasising the basic pulse again. After a series of short sequences and as the music quietens down 5:12 (Bar 183) the 1 st violins begin a fugal passage based on the first bars of Theme 1 against a running semiquaver idea in the second violins. After 8 bars this is taken up by the cellos and double basses with the violas having the semiquaver figure against them, the upper strings continue with a syncopated counter-melody above. As this builds the woodwind join in and there is a sudden surge as all the strings take up the semiquavers above a pedal in the bass leading to 6:03 (Bar 214, Letter C) a full statement of the first 8 bars of Theme 1 in the tonic A minor by the strings, brass and timpani accompanied by semiquavers in the woodwind. 6:18 (Bar 222) After a one beat silence (similar to that at 2:53), there is a repeat of the lyrical Theme 3, again in the tonic major (exactly as before at 3:37). This is shorter than before and is a preparation for the coda. 6:55 (Bar 248) This begins after two repeated cadences with the familiar opening rhythm in a series of question and answer followed by the Coda proper where this idea continues to the end with cadences in C major and A minor one after the other, followed by a restatement of the Theme 1 (7:17, Bar 254) with falling antiphonal phrases. This is the tonic A minor again on the oboes, clarinets, bassoons and horns f with a quick diminuendo - exactly as the movement began. 12

14 Holst ( ): The Planets Mars Background Gustav Holst was an English composer most famous for his orchestral suite The Planets. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London and his work was influenced by Grieg, Wagner, Richard Strauss and fellow student Ralph Vaughan Williams. Through Vaughan Williams he became inspired by English folksong and the music of the French composer Ravel. His music is characterised by his use of irregular metres, pounding rhythms along with unusual haunting melodies. The Planets Seven-part suite was written between 1914 and 1917 Mars is the first movement in the suite Music is characterised by use of irregular metre, pounding rhythms, haunting melodies Analysis This is a 20 th Century Orchestral suite scored for very large orchestra including; sixteen woodwind; fifteen brass; two timpanists and three other percussionists; celesta; two harps; organ; and strings. Tempo Allegro Fast and lively Written in 5/4 time (irregular) 0:00 The chief characteristic of Mars is the incessant repeated note rhythm, an ostinato starting in the timpani, harps and strings (col legno with the wood of the bow). Two bars later a slow moving motif can be heard in unison from bassoons and horns rising a fifth gradually building up adding more instruments with a falling semitone as a feature. This is repeated and used in imitation extending upwards and also harmonised leading up to Figure I. 0:32 At Figure I, the tenor and bass trombone take over with a rising sixth motif against the ongoing ostinato figure. Twelve bars after Figure I, the first violins move away from the ostinato and play a more sustained repetitive figure against the continuing ostinato. 13

15 A two note motif in the form of an octave leap can be heard antiphonally in brass and woodwind, growing in intensity, creating a fanfare-like effect building to a huge fff full orchestra climax at Figure II. 1:15 Figure II The strings, trumpets snare drum and timpani playing the ostinato in unison against a sustained chord from woodwind, horns and trumpets. Four bars after Figure II a new dotted chordal theme can be heard in the trombones and tubas against the ostinato figure still in strings and timpani. The horns and some trumpets join in with this theme two bars later. Dotted chordal theme Eight bars before figure III a new syncopated motif appears in the upper woodwind and violins with the dotted chordal theme continuing in the brass, lower woodwind and strings. Double basses, trumpets, trombones and timpani playing the opening ostinato. 1:50 Figure III The orchestral texture thickens with the organ and trumpets playing part of the dotted chordal theme fff. From figure III the original opening ostinato theme is replaced by the dotted rhythm theme. The addition of the organ three note theme can be heard five times more ending in discords with a fff (E minor) chord two bars before figure IV. At this point the music quietens down with repeated notes on the strings alone. 2:10 Figure IV Against a steady crotchet pulse of the strings, a solo tenor tuba starts a new military calllike theme using triplet figuration. This is answered two bars later by trumpet, seven bars later by violins and flutes, and later by trumpets, horns and upper woodwind. 2:40 Figure V Once again the tenor tuba followed by the trumpet in canon play the military call-like theme against side drum taps and cymbal rolls. Five bars before figure VI all the woodwind and strings play a semiquaver motif while the tubas and trumpets play a variant of the motif heard in figure I. Semiquaver runs lead to a ff tutti chord one bar before figure VI. 3:10 Figure VI 5/2 This quiet melodic idea which starts in the bass instruments is based on the dotted chordal theme first heard four bars after figure II. There is a fragmented variation of the opening ostinato played initially on side drum, then joined by trumpets and tenor trombones. Violins, and then violas, play tremolo while horns play a sustained note with timpani rolls. The texture builds up as more instruments join in with the melodic idea leading to 14

16 4:12 Figure VII 5/4 A three bar orchestral tutti on the opening ostinato played in unison fff. This is followed by a passage based on the opening melodic motif, accompanied by the continuing ostinato throughout. 5:03 Figure VIII The ostinato theme continues in the strings with imitation between tuba and trumpets based on the military-like theme first heard at figure IV. Three bars before figure IX, the dotted theme from figure II returns, this time in oboe, clarinet and horns. 5:27 Figure IX The material from figure II is repeated with slight changes in the orchestration. 5:51 Figure X The full orchestral texture continues, reaching a ffff climax on a discord reinforced by the organ. At this point the metre changes to 5/2 and three repeated cadences occur based on the opening motif. 6:34 Fig XI The Coda begins with semiquaver figurations on strings, joined by woodwind, providing a contrast to the previous section and leads into.. 6:41 Fig XII A return of the opening ostinato figure ffff, distorted by the addition of rests and entries from the brass, percussion and strings with harsh discords. The movement concludes with a bare fifth chord on C with loud timpani rolls. 15

17 Jenkins (b. 1944): Requiem Dies Irae Biographical detail Karl Jenkins trained at Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music. He has enjoyed popular success as a jazz musician, playing frequently during the 1970 s with Ronnie Scott s Jazz Band. It was as a classical musician and composer that he first found longer term commercial and artistic success, beginning with the multi-million selling album Adiemus; Songs of Sanctuary. The work set the trend for Jenkins to explore world music and experiment with new orchestral and choral textures and minimalism. Contextual background Jenkins own programme note indicates that his Requiem (from which the Dies Irae comes) was dedicated to his late father whom he describes as a musician and an inspiration. A Requiem is a Mass for the souls of the dead and Jenkins has blended the traditional Latin text, for many of the traditional movements, with many influences from his travels throughout the world. In the Requiem, the addition of Japanese Haiku death poems is innovative and much in keeping with Jenkins interest in Western and Eastern texts. The Dies Irae is a medieval poem describing the day of judgement when the biblical interpretation speaks of the last trumpet sounding to summon souls before the throne of God where their eternal fate will be decided. Jenkins does not use the full text. The work is scored for SATB choir, shakuhachi (Japanese Flute), 2 horns in F, timpani, harp, strings and 3 percussion players using conventional orchestral percussion and others of ethnic origin (for example, surdo, darabuca, mark tree, rainstick, bamboo chimes). Analysis The Dies Irae is in 4/4 and begins with an ff 8 bar introduction in D minor which introduces musical elements that are developed further in the movement: The 2 bar bass ostinato theme of 8 crotchet beats (Example 1) played in the lower strings and accompanied by bass drum and tam tam. (There is a slight variation of the 8 crotchet beat pattern in the rhythmic accompaniment when the third beat is played as 2 quavers); The driving relentless (Jenkin s own performance direction) triplet upper string accompaniment; and The two-quaver horn motif which is repeated in the first entry of the chorus (Example 2). 16

18 Example 1 Example 2 0:16 (Bar 9) The chorus entry replicates the horn motif of the introduction with the first lines of the Latin text. The homophonic texture of the SATB chorus is heavily accented and sung sempre ff This 8 bar choral introduction only uses the first two lines of the text- Dies irae, dies illa. 0:33 (Bar 17) The full first stanza of the text is heard from the choir this time in unison (note D). The natural speech rhythm used here is repeated for other stanzas of the text. 0:38 (Bar 20) A recurrent three chord motif suggesting the dominant briefly interrupts the flow of the music. The rhythmic impetus then continues as before. 0:49 (Bar 25) A new bass ostinato is used as the chorus return to another 8 bar repeat of the opening choral introduction (Example 3). Both the string and percussion accompaniments remain unaltered. Harmonic ambiguity is caused by the fluctuation between Bª and B in the lower string ostinato. Example 3 0:57 (Bar 29) After 4 bars, a chromatic rising scale idea played by the horns is heard for the first time and this too is the basis of a new choral theme later on. 1:04 (Bar 33) The Tuba Mirum theme which follows (Example 4) comprises two crotchet beats a third apart rising in sequence. Example 4 17

19 1:12 (Bar 37) The driving bass ostinato changes for the first time, as the choir sing, in harmony, a falling sequence, exploiting the interval of a third and finishing on a unison D and with a re-introduction in the accompaniment of the ostinato. 1:29 (Bar 45) The first of two sections follows where the word Dies is given syllabic rhythmic treatment and for the first time a polyphonic texture is created, comprising different layers of ostinati. The underlying instrumental bass ostinato and percussion accompaniments continue for another 8 bars, and lead to the second stanza of text (1:45, bar 53) ie. mars stupebit et naturo, sung similarly and with the same rhythmic accompaniment and one bar bridge motif from the horns. The sopranos are now one octave higher than in verse one. 2:01 (Bar 61) A return of the opening choral introduction, accompanied by the new bass ostinato, features a bass voice vocal version of the horn chromatic scale idea heard earlier (Example 5). Example 5 2:17 (Bar 69) The first key change to E minor follows as we hear an instrumental bridge section using the Tuba Mirum theme in the horns for the first time. The string triplet accompaniment and horn ornaments are noteworthy. 2:32 (Bar 77) The final section of the text used by Jenkins is heard after this instrumental bridge ( Iudex ergo ). The bass ostinato changes to a rising chromatic scale idea. 2:49 (Bar 85) The next key change (F minor) introduces the second example of syllabic treatment of the words Dies Irae. In this extended section we hear many of the rhythms Jenkins himself indicated were hip-hop influenced. A more complex rhythmic variation than the first, features greater use of syncopation and strong 18

20 accented beats, further emphasised by melodic leaps of an octave in the soprano line. 3:05 (Bar 93) The twelve bar Tuba Mirum choral theme is then used to lead to the third syllabic variation on the words Dies Irae, this time featuring changes in the soprano line. 3:28 This eight bar segment leads directly to another key change (F# minor, bar 113, 3:45), another syllabic variation given extra momentum by the frequency of the octave leaps in the soprano line and the more exciting syncopated sextuplet bass vocal part. 4:01 The addition of a syncopated horn motif eight bars later, combined with the soprano constant F# repetition and the prominent cymbals, continues the excitement and builds towards the thunderous and abrupt climax to the movement seventeen bars later featuring prominent cymbals. 19

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22 Optional Area of Study 1: Musical Traditions in Ireland (To follow) 21

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24 Optional Area of Study 2: Incidental Music 23

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26 Mendelssohn ( ): A Midsummer Night s Dream Overture Background Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. His work includes symphonies, concerti, oratorios, piano and chamber music Inspired to write this overture after reading the play A Midsummer Night s Dream by William Shakespeare Written originally (at the age of 17) as a piano duet in It was rescored with extra music added to be performed as incidental music for performances of a new dramatic production (by Ludwig Tieck) of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, in Overture An overture is an instrumental composition written as an introduction to a work such as an opera or oratorio, or as an independent piece to be performed in the concert hall This is an example of an 19 th century Concert overture which is an independent piece of music complete in itself composed with concert performance in mind Context It is important to recognise how Mendelssohn interprets themes from the original play and presents them through a variety of ways using Sonata form structure in this orchestral overture. The main ideas presented are the fairy/court theme, the love theme, the characterisation of the comic figure Bottom disguised as a donkey, and the overall magical atmosphere created by the subtle changes in orchestration throughout the piece. Analysis Structure: Sonata Form Instrumentation - two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two trumpets, timpani, strings and ophicleide (the lowest instrument of the keyed bugle family). 0:00 1:06 Bars 1-61 The piece begins softly with four sustained woodwind chords. At bar 6 the upper strings change tonality from E major to E minor to introduce the evocative flurry of the fairy theme (1 st subject) remaining in the key of E minor before the tonality starts to change with the introduction of pizzicato violas at this point. The momentum of the rushing quaver movement is interrupted at Bar 39 (0:46) with a diminished 7 th chord in the woodwind. 25

27 0:33 Bars are then repeated with the viola part now played by the second violins. The strings continue until it reaches a perfect cadence at bars :06 Bars There is an immediate shift back to the tonic chord of E major played ff by the full orchestra, including the ophichleide and punctuated by the timpani, introducing a new stately court theme (second half of the first subject). At bar 96 the music is modulating from the tonic key of E major towards the dominant key of B major at bar 98. 1:38 Bar 98 The fairy theme continues in the strings becoming more developed by use of a rising sequence in preparation for the new key of B major. 2:06 Bar 130 The second subject is now presented in the clarinets in the key of B major. It is very lyrical in character representing the love theme of the work. This theme continues for some time with increasing orchestral density before being continued by the strings at Bar 138 (2:14) over a tonic pedal in the cellos and basses. This theme is repeated and at Bar 162 (2:37) the violins play a two bar repeated figure taken from bars Woodwind, brass and timpani interject with a small fanfare which is repeated (probably used to represent royalty). The love theme grows in intensity until it ends with a descending scale at bar reaching the second section of the second subject. 3:06 Bar 194 This section of the music is played by the full orchestra and represents the group of workmen who rehearse a play to perform in front of the Duke. Bottom, one of these characters, is transformed into a donkey during the course of the action, hence the use of falling ninths and tenths in violins and clarinets (Bars , ), which suggests the braying of a donkey. The cellos, basses, horns, ophecleide and timpani accompany with a repeated tonic pedal. At bar 196 an F# is played by oboes, bassoons, and violas to create bare fifths in a drone like manner. 3:32 Bar 222 This section comes to a perfect cadence in the dominant. At bar 222 we hear brass fanfares which are later imitated between brass and strings (Bar 238) bringing the exposition to a close at Bars with a short codetta based on the hunting call from the court music. By the end of the exposition all the character themes from the play have been introduced and the music has revealed many contrasting themes illustrating the diversity of the play. 26

28 3:58 Bar 250 This is the beginning of the development section. The tonality changes suddenly to B minor with the violins playing the first subject fairy theme with soft woodwind interjections. Gradually the lower strings are added at bar 264 while the bassoons and flutes sustain a long chord. At bar 270, arpeggios are added by the woodwind section and at bar 284 the rhythm changes to the fanfare idea first heard at bar :35 Bar 294 The sudden ff single note in the horn rapidly dies away against a pp timpani roll. The woodwind play the fanfare motif rising in pitch, against part of the fairy theme quaver movement in the violins over a tonic pedal in the cellos. This material continues for some time and all the instruments apart from the ophicleide play at some point in the development. The hushed pp dynamics contrasted with the ff notes in the horn help to create the magical suspense. 4:51 Bar 306 Features a rising bass line reaching a perfect cadence in D major at bar 316. At bar 324 the cellos and double basses develop the first subject against sustained chords on woodwind and brass ending at bar 334 in C# minor. At this point violins play a reiterated C with descending pizzicato crotchets on cellos and Basses reaching a perfect cadence in bar 341 in D major. A pedal note D can be heard at bar 342 and this continues on flutes with the strings playing a descending crotchet scale movement. At bar 376 there is a reference to the end part of the love theme and gradually the music quietens down on a repeated chord of C# minor bringing the development section to an end at bar :19 Bar 394 Recapitulation begins with the opening fairy horn calls although this time it is extended with three extra bars, the orchestration has changed and the key has subtly moved into E major. The fairy theme is as before with the addition of long held notes added to the texture along with interjections in various instruments including the ophicleide. A soft timpani roll is also added to give effect. However there is no reference to the previous court-like theme therefore making this section shorter. 7:17 The transition is also much shorter and leads to the love theme at bar 450. The 1 st section of the second subject is in the tonic key of E major and this (apart from the key) is identical to the exposition. The dance-like theme which is the second section of the second subject is also the same as before. The descending wind scales which were first heard preceding the second subject appear again with an added timpani roll. The scale passages are developed and modulate briefly before returning to E major. 9:20 A perfect cadence in E major at bar 586 brings back the descending scale passage of bar 231 which is a short reference to the court theme. The second part of the court theme, the hunting call (first heard at 70 and also at 238) follows at 594. Accented plagal cadences occur from 594 leading to the end of the recapitulation in the tonic key at bar

29 9:50 Bar 620 The coda starts with the fairy theme in quavers in E minor, similar to the opening of the development section. Parts of other motifs used in the development section can also be heard. The momentum of the piece suddenly comes to a pause at bar 643 (10:10). This chord first heard at bar 31 resolves into a series of semibreve chords which gradually get softer until at bar 657 clarinets and bassoons are the only remaining instruments playing a soft reference to the opening court theme. The strings take over the court theme in augmentation. A tonic pedal in the cello starting at bar 675 heralds the end of the piece and a sustained E major tonic chord in the strings is followed by the original fairy horn call to finish the work. Recommended score: Eulenberg no. 613, ISBN:

30 Grieg ( ): Peer Gynt Suite Morning, In the hall of the Mountain King Biographical background Grieg is a Nationalist Composer one who uses or reflects the folk music of his country in his compositions. He is known to have used folk melodies from Bergen which is on the western shores of Norway. His music inspired other composers such as Percy Grainger, an Australian Composer, to emulate his research by looking into his own country s music. Grieg was writing for the common people and due, in part, to his music being tuneful and easily understood, helped make him a hero of his own country. Peer Gynt Henrik Ibsen (the author of the play) invited Grieg to write incidental music for it. Not only for between scenes but also to accompany the action. It was first performed in 1876 and although a success at the time, because of its huge length and complex plot, it is not performed very frequently today. The music proved so popular that Grieg arranged two suites for concert performance, and these have remained popular ever since. Morning In the play, this music is the introduction to a scene on the North African coast. However it seems Grieg s inspiration was a little closer to home and he referred to it as the sun rising over the forests and fjords on a clear Norwegian morning. Although based loosely in E Major it has a decidedly pentatonic flavour which gives it a close link to folk music. Main theme: The movement is scored for an orchestra of double woodwind, horns, trumpets, timpani and strings. 0:00 It begins Allegretto pastorale with a rising and falling motif of four bars by the flute which is then imitated (0:12, bar 5) by the harder sound of the oboe an octave lower modulating towards G# major. 29

31 0:22 (Bar 9) The flute answers the oboe with the original motif in the new key for a further four bars, and the oboe responds an octave lower again (0:32, bar 13) modulating to the dominant (B major). 0:42 (Bar 17) The two instruments play the second bar of the theme answering each other and then, as the music crescendos, echo one another with two downward dominant arpeggios which lead into a full statement of the first four bars of the theme (0:52, bar 21) by the whole orchestra leading with an ascending sequence (1:06, bar 30) where semiquaver arpeggios lead to a short theme on the cellos. An upward trumpet figure leads to a repeat of the cello theme in F major and then into D major (1:19, bar 37). 2:02 (Bar 49) The semiquaver arpeggios return in the woodwind and the horn plays the opening four bars again followed by two chords on the upper strings. At 2:17 (Bar 56) the oboes and bassoons restate the original theme for four bars back in the tonic key, repeating the final notes to extend the music leading into the Coda at 2:38 (Bar 62) where, after three sustained horn notes the violins repeat the opening phrase, completed by the clarinets with flute trills, perhaps imitative of birdsong, then at 2:54 (Bar 68) the horns enter with an altered version using just three notes and then repeating it as a two bar phrase with the clarinets and flutes three times. At 3:19 (Bar 78) the horns usher in the final bars where the flute repeats the opening 2 bars of the piece and the bassoons echo it two octaves lower. Three long sustained chords end the piece quietly with a plagal cadence. In the Hall of the Mountain King Theme: In the play, Peer has found himself inside the mountain kingdom of the Trolls. The music accompanies the scene describing his quiet footsteps and the chase by the trolls when he is discovered. At the end of the piece, the King appears just as Peer escapes the mountain as it collapses killing all those within it. A general translation of the original chorus parts is as follows: Kill him! He has bewitched the Mountain King s daughter! Hack off his fingers! Tear out his hair! Boil him up into soup! Roast him on a spit over the fire! 30

32 The piece is scored for a full orchestra: piccolo; double woodwind; four horns; two trumpets; three trombones; tuba; timpani; cymbals; bass drum; and strings. Analysis 0:00 The piece begins with a quiet unison F# (the dominant of the home key, B Minor). 0:05 (Bar 2) Immediately the first four bars of the theme are played staccato by the cellos and double basses and repeated by the bassoons. 0:19 (Bar 10) The second four bars of the theme are played by the lower strings and once again repeated by the bassoons with the fourth bar altered to end in the tonic key. 0:32 (Bar 18) Cello and basses repeat the first four bars of the theme again echoed by the bassoons as before, with the fourth bar altered to end in the tonic key. 0:46 (Letter A, bar 26) The upper strings pizzicato have the theme echoed by the woodwind in the same pattern as the first section by now the music is beginning to gather momentum. 0:58 (Bar 34) The upper strings and woodwind continue with the second four bars of the theme and as the speed increases so too does the volume. 1:21 (Letter B, bar 50) The full orchestra now take up the theme ff with the brass joining in the repeats. 1:31 The orchestra continues with the second four bars - the piece now much faster and louder and the pitch an octave higher. 1:40 (Letter C, bar 65) We have the final full repeat of the theme at a very fast tempo. 1:49 (Letter D, bar 73) The music stops abruptly with crashing off-beat chords interrupting its flow for eight bars before the coda. 1:57 (Bar 81) The chords are repeated and emphasised eight times before one silent half bar which is followed by a timpani roll in crescendo on the tonic (B). The bass instruments of the orchestra give a ff tonic B, followed by a thunderous, full orchestral ff tonic B minor off-beat chord which closes the movement. Note: When the piece is performed in its original form the chorus parts begin at (Bar 50) 1:21. The recommended recording of this suite does not include these choral parts. Recommended score: Eulenberg no. 1318, ISBN

33 Hans Zimmer: Pirates of the Caribbean (Dead Man s Chest) Davy Jones Theme Biographical detail Hans Zimmer was born in Germany on September 12, 1957 but moved to England as a teenager. His career in writing music for films began even before his move to the United States, where his score for the film Rain Man truly launched his career. Since 1988, Zimmer has worked on over 100 film scores and won seven Academy awards ( Oscars ) including best musical score for the Gladiator, The Lion King, The Thin Red Line and The Preacher s Wife. Other film scores like those for Pearl Harbor, The Last Samurai, Da Vinci Code and Frost/Nixon have won Golden Globe awards. Presently, Zimmer is the head of the Film Music division at DreamWorks studios, and collaborates with other composers through the company which he founded, Remote Control Productions. His film scores are most notable for combining electronic music sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements. Contextual detail The first film in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy was released in 2003 and featured a score produced by Hans Zimmer but including insufficient original material by him to be credited as composer. The sacking of legendary Disney composer Alan Silvestri had given rise to a hastily put together score by composer Klaus Badelt and the team from Media Ventures. Media Ventures (now called Remote Control Productions) had won a reputation for their electronicallyenhanced orchestral scoring used in film soundtracks. When Zimmer assumed the role of soundtrack composer for Dead Man s Chest, the second film in the trilogy, the result was a score which developed some of the musical themes from the original, but brought new orchestral and choral textures to the fore, while still relying on the bass-heavy, electronically-aided music which was a Hans Zimmer hallmark. The score features new character-related themes and a wider range of rock styles, musical dance forms (i.e. jigs and waltzes), orchestral and non-orchestral sounds. This score and other swashbuckling action film music from Zimmer and his contemporaries, has continued the tradition introduced by composers like Erich Korngold and developed by others like John Williams and John Debney. Analysis A soft music box in D minor begins the Davy Jones theme. The 16 bar melody in 3/4 time gently rises by step and is heard over a tonic dominant ostinato for the first four bars (Example 1). 32

34 Example 1 The use of a diminished 7 th chord in the 11 th bar (0:24) continues the harmonic interest. The melody comes to a close in a perfect cadence in the tonic key, however the dominant chord includes a modal Cª. The strings join (0:36), with added interest provided by the oboe repeating the opening theme, along with the continuing music box. The lower strings and the bass serve to give a mystifying darkness to the tone which is very much in keeping with the Davy Jones character in the film. Bass-heavy tones are a recognisable trait of Zimmer s film music (especially, however, in action sequences). A sudden change to a moderately fast tempo, introduces a pulsing organ ostinato (1:14) (Example 2). This organ sound is another departure for Zimmer who did not include it in the previous Pirates of the Caribbean score. It is accompanied by a thundering bass drum rhythmic ostinato (heavy first and second beats, echoing the opening accompaniment rhythm) which continues throughout this section. The main theme is also played by the organ and can be clearly heard over the ostinato (which emphasizes the dominant, A) and its accompaniment. Example 2 The orchestral texture thickens in the next repeat (1:39) to now include the organ ostinato, added percussion and synthesised/organ brass tones playing the music box theme, all in a new key of B minor. A choral unison version of the music box theme is also heard, whilst the quaver accompaniment figure in quavers continues. As the dynamics increase once again, another key shift to G# (2:01) further heightens the tension and drama. Heavier percussion, including dramatic cymbal crashes, combine with a much heavier bass line, the organ ostinato, choral lines and the music box theme (again played by brass). 33

35 This final repeat of the Davy Jones theme is brought to a sudden halt (2:23) as only the heavily accented pulse on the bass drum and very quiet organ pedal note and lower strings remain. The return of the opening tempo also sees a return of the actual music box in B minor to announce the theme. This time sustained upper strings accompany with an inverted (new) tonic pedal and as the melody progresses, these rise up an octave (2:45) and eventually die away (3.00) just as the lower strings take over the sustained note and decrescendo for the next four bars. The work comes to a peaceful end leaving only the music box to play the closing notes of the theme. 34

36 Ron Grainer ( ): Dr Who Theme revised title theme 2005 series Biographical detail Ron Grainer was born on 11 th August 1922 in Queensland, Australia and he studied music at the Sydney Conservatorium, but it was not until his move to Britain in the 1950 s that his talents first came to prominence. He collaborated with the newly formed BBC Radiophonic Workshop on a number of television series themes and in 1963 wrote the theme music for Dr Who. He was very impressed with Delia Derbyshire from the workshop and her electronic realisation of his theme remained the standard version of the series for 18 years. Grainer and Derbyshire were initially refused credits for the music, since the BBC had wanted to keep the members of their Radiophonic Workshop team anonymous. Grainer did not repeat the immense artistic or commercial success of Dr Who, but other television themes like Tales of the Unexpected survive. He died in Sussex, at the age of 58. Digital Manipulation Techniques An analogue recording of a single plucked string was the source of the manipulation of Grainer s music by Derbyshire and her Radiophonic Workshop team. Sophisticated alteration of the tempo combined with white noise and harmonic wave-forms of test-tone oscillators, resulted in the unique sounds first heard in the 1963 version of the theme. Murray Gold s arrangement of theme for the re-launch of the 2005 series, featured samples from the 1963 original with additional orchestral sounds including strings, percussion and horns. It was the addition of the Dalek ray-gun and Tardis materialisation sound effects which so grabbed the attention of the Sci-Fi followers of the television show. Analysis The re-launched series of Dr Who featured the signature tune of the original and brought many of Ron Grainer s iconic melodies and rhythms to a new generation. The theme music for the 2005 series (and those since) comprises the following: 1. A four-bar rhythmic ostinato in the bass instruments (Example 1)* 2. A triplet quaver layer added to this ostinato 3. The first melodic theme (Example 2) featuring a rising 9 th at the start 4. The modal tonality (B Phrygian) used at the beginning of the music 5. A second melodic theme (Example 3) this time in the major key 6. The use of digital sound effects and sound manipulation techniques (Throughout these notes, reference is made to the purely orchestral sounds made in the recording. Many of these will have been digitally enhanced, altered and combined with other sound manipulation techniques in the studio mix.) 35

37 The music opens with a descending glissando whistle sound effect which leads into the introductory music (0:04), comprising detached percussive minor chords accompanied by a frequently changing snare, bass ostinato (Example 1), bass drum and timpani. The harmonic content of this introductory section is predominantly minor and the interval of a minor third is fully exploited. The sustained brass chords heard also emphasise the minor tonality. Theme 1 is written in the mode of E Phrygian (Example 2). Throughout the score, this appears as E minor with accidentals (where necessary) for the altered modal notes. Example 1 Example 2 Theme 1 (0:16) is heard accompanied by the triplet motif which is also reinforced by a rhythmic upper string countermelody. Strong rhythmic accompaniment from the snare, bass and timpani drums adds to the forward drive of the piece. Theme 1 is then repeated (0:35), although the second half is now played by the upper strings. The triplet motif and rhythmic accompaniment remain as before and as a crescendo occurs and the brass instruments form a major chord, a second theme is heard. Theme 2 (Example 3) features a synthesised tone and the brass section, in particular the trumpets and horns (0:54) which also features a change in rhythmic accompaniment, with the notable absence of the snare drum. There is a much stronger timpani and brass texture throughout this section. Another short crescendo leads to the return of Theme 1. Example 3 36

38 The relentless drive of the piece continues with this repeat of Theme 1 (1:08) and there is a much more dense texture, mainly involving the brass instruments to which the melody and the triplet motif have been transferred. A whirring sound effect (1:29) announces the return to Theme 1 (1:40) and continues to feature the bass ostinato, triplet motif and percussive accompaniment. The same chordal build up acts as a link from Theme 1 to Theme 2. The return of Theme 2 (2:00) features a similar change of rhythmic accompaniment as occurred in its first presentation. Similarly there is again a greater emphasis on the timpani rhythms. As the piece moves to its dramatic end, the triplet motif returns to the brass section (2:14) and the opening three notes of Theme 1 are frequently repeated, building a crescendo and leading to the final ff orchestral E minor chord ending with 3 accented triplet quavers starting on beat four. Note: * Examples feature the music originally written by Ron Grainer 37

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40 Optional Area of Study 3: Vocal Music 39

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42 Handel ( ): Messiah Recitative: There were shepherds, And the Angel and And suddenly Chorus: Glory to God Aria: Why do the nations? Biographical background Composer: George Frederic Handel, A German-English Baroque composer Famous for his operas, oratorios and concerti grossi Born in Germany died in England Works include Messiah, Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks Background to Work Messiah is an oratorio Most famous of all Handel s works Based on a libretto by Charles Jennens Composed in Summer of 1741 First performance in Dublin in 1742 Libretto is in three parts Part 1 - prophecies from the Old testament Part 2 - concerns Christ s suffering and death Part 3 - relates to the second coming of Christ The original version of Messiah is scored for SATB soloists, SATB chorus, 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 trumpets, strings, timpani, and basso continuo (there are also orchestrations by Mozart and Goosens). Analysis 0:00 0:14 There were Shepherds abiding in the field This is number 14 from the part 1 of the work. Key - C Major. This is recitativo secco (dry recitative) where the accompaniment provided by the continuo is very sparse with only two chords. It is performed by a soprano and goes straight into 0:14 0:32 And Lo the Angel of the Lord Came Upon them This begins with a short introduction on upper strings playing semiquaver arpeggios against quaver movement in the lower strings in the key of F major. It is recitativo stromentato (accompanied recitative) where the accompaniment is fuller and in a definite and rhythmically steady metre. This short recitative ends with a perfect cadence in F major. 41

43 0:33 1:06 And the angel said unto them The third recitative follows on immediately and again is performed by a soprano, accompanied by the continuo. It starts in the key of A major and is a recitativo secco. A perfect cadence can be heard on the words great joy with modulation to the key of E major and a perfect cadence at the word people. The music continues to modulate until it reaches a perfect cadence in the key of F# minor on the last two chords. 1:07 1:25 And suddenly there was with the Angel This recitative begins with a short introduction in semiquavers in the upper strings in the key of D major against a tonic pedal in the lower strings. The soprano enters at the anacrusis to the fourth bar. This is a recitative stromentato. It ends with a perfect cadence in the key of A major (the dominant) leading straight into the chorus. The change from one type of recitative ie. the declamatory to the lyrical, was a common feature of the late Baroque era. The emphasis on this style of singing is to move the text forward in preparation for what comes next. Glory to God This is scored for strings, trumpets and timpani, and is based on three main thematic ideas each associated with their own words. (a) 0:00 Glory to God (b) 0:10 And peace on earth (c) 0:40 Goodwill towards men This is performed by the full SATB choir. The choir begins homophonically in D major with the (a) motif easily recognised by its characteristic dotted rhythm. This is performed by the three upper parts of the choir and is accompanied by lightly scored semiquaver passages in the orchestra without bass instruments. Motif (b) appears in the tenor and bass parts - note the octave drop in the bass part contrasting with the preceding material. Motif (a) returns again (Fig A on the score) with the same accompaniment as before followed by motif (b) again in the tenors and basses although this time on the tonic note. The third motif (c) is introduced fugally (Fig B) in the order of bass, tenor, alto and soprano. This contrapuntal texture only lasts for six bars before returning to the previous homophonic texture. At Fig D, motif (c) is extended and treated sequentially to create a final climax ending with a perfect cadence in the key of D major. This is followed by an eight bar orchestral passage, lightly scored with no bass instruments, gradually getting softer and ending pp with a perfect cadence in the tonic key. Throughout the chorus the harmony remains diatonic. Many of the typical Baroque features are present i.e. diatonic harmony, dotted rhythms, semiquaver orchestral passages, cadential points, contrast of homophonic textures with polyphonic textures. Sudden contrasts of dynamics, use of ornamentation etc. The use of the three main thematic ideas is a good example of Handel s skill in developing melodic ideas through fragmentation and extension. 42

44 Why do the nations so furiously rage together? This is a Bass Aria taken from Part 2 of the work. It opens with the full orchestra playing with the upper strings playing fast and furious semiquavers and the basso continuo underpinning the basic diatonic harmonic structure. The tonality is enforced with a tonic pedal in C followed by brief modulations to the sub-dominant in bars 5-6, the dominant in bars 6-7 and returns to the tonic in bars 9-10 ending the introduction with a perfect cadence in the key of C major as the bass soloist enters. The bass part starts with an ascending arpeggio in the tonic followed by a descending scale passage. This figuration along with the coloratura triplet passage that follows provides the main musical material for this aria. In keeping with the nature of the text, the music modulates frequently, i.e. at the first statement of a vain thing it reaches the key of D major. Word painting, a commonly used feature of this era can be heard on the word rage (0:36) where the composer uses triplet figuration in a descending sequence to emphasise the word. The words so furiously together are invariably set to a descending figure. On the phrase why do the people imagine the music starts to modulate again going to G major, ending the coloratura phrase on a perfect cadence in G. This phrase shows examples of sequence and repetition, devices commonly used in the Baroque period. The phrase, why do the people is treated sequentially and ends with a perfect cadence again in the tonic key. Another repeat of this phrase follows starting in the key of C major but ending once again in the key of G major where it remains until near the end of this section when it modulates back to the key of C major (Fig D on the score). A six bar orchestral interlude follows based on material taken from the opening ritornello. The kings of the earth rise up starts the final section of the movement. It is in the key of A minor. Note the use of word painting on the phrase rise up. Once again a triplet coloratura figure is used on the word counsel beginning with a descending sequence ending this phrase with a perfect cadence in A minor. The music begins to modulate and finally rests on a perfect cadence in E minor. Recommended score: Novello (Editor: Ebenezer Prout) 43

45 Schubert ( ): Die Erlkönig (The Erl King) Schubert is a composer of the Classical/Romantic Period He composed over 600 Lieder Lied is the German word for song and in Schubert s time became associated with art songs in German which had piano accompaniment The songs were usually settings of poems, some by distinguished poets, and the accompaniments added colour and reflected the mood and content of the poetry. Schubert was followed by Schumann, Loewe, Wolf and others who all wrote lieder in the 19 th Century. The Erl king is a setting of a poem by the famous German poet Goethe and Schubert set the poem in 1815 when he was only 18. The song is through composed and is a very difficult work for both singer and pianist to perform. The pianist has to sustain, for most of the song, octave triplets in the right hand at a very fast speed. This momentum continues through the whole song up to the dramatic pause at the end before the final cadence. The singer alters his voice to help interpret the role of the narrator, the child, the father and the Erl King it is a very dramatic song. The image above is of the first page of an original manuscript from Die Erlkönig. 44