burn

Question 1

notation

Answer 1

-scores made based on recorded sound, some improvised elements
-two staves for short score strings
-additional stave for sitar
-additional staves added for sarangi, percussion, synthesised bass and vocals
-brass, harp, flute and solo cello are notated in string staves
-guitar chords given

Question 2

sonority

Answer 2

-strings, sitar and vocals
-sarangi later introduced
-orchestral additions (brass, harp, flute)
-manjira (indian)
-western drum kit

Question 3

what is the piece about?

Answer 3

lyrics concern the mystery of love as reflected in the moon, sun and stars and expressed in the dance

Question 4

texture

Answer 4

-MDH, sitar = melody
chords in strings = accompaniment
-chords vary in density as piece develops
-octaves in string melody
-octave synth bass
-percussion ostinato
-vocal initially one line but later becomes doubled a 3rd below
-third voice added at the climax
-densest textures at the climax

Question 5

dynamics

Answer 5

crescendos lead into new sections

Question 6

tempo/metre/rhythm

Answer 6

-no varition in tempo

-4/4 metre throughout
-however the opening sitar solo has a free feeling, qualities of ‘alap’ open the ‘raga’ where the scale is used in a rhythmically free style.
when percussion is involved it’s a bit stricter, which could recall the ‘jhala’ section of the ‘raga’

-strings have long sustained chords
-sitar:
dotted rhythms, triplets, syncopation, quintuplet

Question 7

melody

Answer 7

sitar:
-in the Western key of C#minor (with some B#’s) rather than a scale associated with one of the ragas
-its opening line consists ornamentation
micro-tonal slides, ‘crushed’ notes and mordents of varying durations

vocals:
-initially a limited range that being a 6th

strings:
-initially the uppermost part has a range of a 5th but later expands
-anticipates the vocal line

Question 8

harmony

Answer 8

-avoidance of cadential harmony but one near perfect cadence
-slow harmonic rhythm
-oftenly quietly dissonant language
-root position chords
-suspension chords
-slash chords
-adedd note chords
-relatively frequent A7-C# progression
-C# present throughout

Question 9

tonality

Answer 9

-C#minor with aeolian elements
-closes on D5
-C#’s could be like the tanpura-like drone of indian classical music