Gershwin- 'Summertime' from Porgy and Bess Flashcards
When was ‘Summertime’ composed
in 1935
Which Genre does ‘Summertime’ belong to?
Aria/number from an Opera ( not a musical ) sometimes described as an American Folk Opera, it is a fusion of Folk, Jazz and operatic conventions.
What is the Metre of ‘Summertime’?
Duple time; cut common 2/2
how is the rocking Lullaby rhythm in ‘Summertime’ conveyed?
By steady mimims in the accompaniment.
What does the typical rhythmic devices in ‘Summertime’ include?
Swing Rhythms, syncopation and triplets.
What is the main rhythm of the violin countermelody in verse 2 of ‘Summertime’
it is mainly in quavers
What is the range of the vocal parts of ‘Summertime’?
An octave.
What does the text of ‘Summertime’ clearly show origins in?
American dialect
What is the exception to the pentatonic vocal line
C#.
What does the ornamentation of include?
Portamento.
What does the chords of ‘Summertime’ outline
A 16 bar blues pattern
What are the characteristic harmonic features of ‘Summertime’?
Added 6th chords, false relations arising from ‘blue notes’,circle of fifths, perfect cadence at close.
What is an added 6th chord?
Minor triad plus major 6th
what is the tonality of ‘Summertime’?
B minor with dominant preperation
What is the dominant preparation in ‘Summertime’?
F# Pedal
