Defying Gravity - GCSE Music Set Work

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  • Created by: Livi
  • Created on: 25-06-17 22:31

Defying Gravity - Resources and Context

  • Pit band of 23 musicians
  •  6 brass
  •  1 harp
  •  2 electric guitars
  •  3 keyboard synths
  •  Percussion
  •  Woodwind
  • Colla Voce - with the voice (band follows singers)
  • Recitative at the beginning (I hope you're happy...)
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Defying Gravity - Melody

  • Leitmotif used - 'unlimited'
  • Elphaba's vocal line has a triadic style
  • Long notes and wide leaps = confidence
  • 'Try defying gravity...' = vocal/title hook
  • Prominent use of 4th and 5th intervals
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Defying Gravity - Rhythm

  • Recitative sections are free time
  • Some rallentando tempo changes, this allows more expression from singers
  • 2/2, 3/2 and 4/4 time signature
  • Word setting is syllabic
  • Syncopation plays an important part
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Defying Gravity - Structure and Tonality

  • Verse/Chorus Form
  • Bar 1   = Intro (recitative)
  • Bar 34  = Verse 1
  • Bar 50  = Chorus 1
  • Bar 63  = Verse 2
  • Bar 79  = Chorus 2
  • Bar 88  = Bridge
  • Bar 102 = Chorus 3
  • Bar 115 = Intro Reprise
  • Bar 135 = Verse 3
  • Bar 151 = Chorus 4
  • Bar 161 = Coda 
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Defying Gravity - Texture

  • Monophonic passages at start
  • Mainly melody with accompaniment
  • Characters normally sing alternately or in unison
  • Some 2 part singing with harmonies in 3rds
  • Brief contrapuntal section in the final bars
  • Ostinato figure (80-87, 88-97, 103-109)
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Defying Gravity - Harmony

  • Root position triads
  • Suspended chords used (3rd left out and replaced with 2nd or 4th)
  • Pedal in bars 162-167
  • Inverted pedal starting in bar 168
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