Liesel's Theme (John Williams) Flashcards
Area of Study 3
Describe the instrumentation. Make three points.
Flute, piano and cello perform main melody like an arch. Cynical sounding, as each phrase falls to lower pitch
Harp plays subtle ascending scales during sounding of main melody. Creates a dreamy and emotional atmosphere
Innocent, sad sounding woodwind reinforces the sympathy for Liesel Meminger. Drives emotional content forward
Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make six points.
Modal minor feel where it constantly shifts in and out of minor keys. Symbolises the pessimism of Liesel Meminger
Perfect fifth interval figure is played by lower strings as drone and accompaniment for main melody. Reinforces sadness
Piano and guitar plays a disconcerting minor scale on top of string chord. Puts music in stasis, which increases suspense
Ascends by a semitone after minor scale is sounded by the piano and the guitar. Builds on Liesel Meminger’s pessimism
Changes to warm sounding major key when upper strings play developing motif. Reinforces sympathy for Liesel Meminger
Piece ends on perfect cadence as it returns to key chord stated in main melody. Further increases elements of pessimism
Describe the texture. Make three points.
Monophonic in the opening bars with the piano playing a spread minor chord with an added second. Depressing sounding
Monophonic writing when the piano plays various solos. Piano brings the music closer to home and to the listener
Mainly homophonic and polyphonic throughout. Plunges the listener into Liesel Meminger’s world filled with mixed emotions
Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make three points.
Conducted mainly in a compound lilting duple time, particularly during the sounding of main melody. Regarded as reflective
Rather slow and stately throughout the entire piece. This symbolises a lack of hope for Liesel Meminger’s life to be colourful
Remote key is coupled with the lilting rhythm filled with hemiolas. This reinforces the perplexing, yet lyrical atmosphere
