Bernstein- 'Something's Coming'

Question 1

Date of composition

Answer 1

1957

Question 2

Type of piece

Answer 2

Aria(solo song), musical theatre

Question 3

Musical influences

Answer 3

Jazz, blues, Latin American rhythms

Question 4

Tempo

Answer 4

176 bpm lively and fast

Question 5

Rhythm

Answer 5

Syncopated and energetic
Cross rhythms and syncopation
Push rhythms ‘could be’

Question 6

Metre

Answer 6

Starts 3/4 moves to and from 2/4

Question 7

Structure+structure keys

Answer 7

a1,b1,a1,b1.  : D major
a2,b2,a2,b2.  : C major
c1 (Bridge)    : D major
a2,b3             : C major
c2(Bridge) a1: D major 
(A1 B1 B2 A2 C)

Question 8

Effect of metre

Answer 8

adds interest as the piece is repetitive

Keeps us on edge, builds tension,sense of unrest

Question 9

Effect of structure

Answer 9

Sections are not balanced; something’s not right with the plot (Tony)

Question 10

Tonality

Answer 10

D major + 2 contrasting sections in C major
Simply jumps from D major to C major
C is the flattened 7th of the D scale

Question 11

Harmony

Answer 11

Melodies based on the tritone (tragedy)
“Who”-D, “knows”-G#. D-G# is a tritone
Tritone resolves onto an A

Flattened major 7th (C#) = C ( a blue note, blues influence)
Repeated bass riff throughout

Question 12

Voice melody

Answer 12

Tony-tenor voice

Mainly syllabic

Question 13

Melody in section A

Answer 13

Syncopated
Short phrases
“Could it be, yes it could”- energy, excitement, anticipation
Starts pp- sounds unsure, tony wondering, hoping

Question 14

Melody in section B

Answer 14

“It may come cannon-balling down through the sky” Punchy and forceful
Fast quavers
‘Marcato’ accents on important words
Energy and excitement

Question 15

Melody in sectionC

Answer 15

“Around the corner” warmer and more legato
Longer notes
This is a bridge, contrasts with other sections

Question 16

Dynamics (why?)

Answer 16

Soft dynamics throughout
Brushes used on the drums
Must for the trumpets
So that the singer could be heard over the other instruments (no mic)

Question 17

Texture

Answer 17

Entirely homophonic (melody + accompaniment)
So that Tony is the most important part and can be heard
Words are very important in a musical