Jeux (Claude Debussy)

Question 1

Describe the instrumentation. Make three points.

Answer 1

Intro consists of woodwind, horns, double stopped harp and strings playing in a high tessitura

Timpani trill just before tempo returns to its original. Has strong connotations of thunder or warfare

Violins and 1st alto violins play with tremolo strings before anti climax. Sounds as though it’s developing

Question 2

Describe the harmony/ tonality. Make three points.

Answer 2

Very ambiguous, mainly because it is coloured with chords that avoid a tonal centre in upper woodwind

C minor with an added major 7th very often appears in upper woodwind followed by a descending sequence

Suits early 20th century, as interesting blocks of chords and dissonance appears at various different points

Question 3

Describe the texture. Make three points.

Answer 3

Two part writing with 2nd violins and alto violin’s pedal note and horn/ double stopped harp motif during intro

Polyphonic when tempo increases slightly, with each instrument part playing strands of fragmented motifs

All scalic motifs in upper woodwind just before anti climax are played in parallel motion with each other

Question 4

Describe the rhythm/ tempo. Make six points.

Answer 4

First crotchet of horn and double stopped harp is omitted in intro. Makes 4/4 metre sound like it is in 3/4

Very slow and stately in intro, with the pedal note keeping the horn/double stopped harp motif in stasis

Upper woodwind play acciaccaturas just before timpani roll into their original motif. Unsettles pace slightly

Faster than original after upper woodwind motif is sounded. Avoids beating about the bush to reach climax

Frequent scales appear across numerous bars to act as a hemiola. Familiarity with pulse is lost completely

Extensive amounts of dotted quavers are used to reinforce the idea that the music is spiraling out of control