Ballade

Question 1

What is the form of the piece?

Answer 1

ABA with two themes in Section A.

Question 2

What does the title of the piece mean?

Answer 2

A tragic narrative.

Question 3

What are the performance directions?

Answer 3

‘Allegro energico (fast and energetic). Specific performance directions are a feature of Romatic music.

Question 4

What key does the piece start in?

Answer 4

Gm (melodic from the use of the F# in the anacrusis).

Question 5

Describe the first theme of Section A.

Answer 5

A five bar phrase with low octave bass notes and middle moving chords.

Question 6

What is the phrasing of Section A?

Answer 6

Irregular 5+5 phrasing that is ‘antecedent consequent’ (Q and A).

Question 7

What is the cadence in Bar 5-6 of Section A?

Answer 7

Secondary dominant (V of V- 5th of D major) to V (Imperfect cadence).

Question 8

What is the cadence in Bar 10 of Section A?

Answer 8

Perfect V-I cadence.

Question 9

What key does the piece modulate to in Bar 11 of Section A?

Answer 9

Eb major (sub. dom relative major).

Question 10

What happens in Bar 15-17 of Section A?

Answer 10

They develop Bars 3-5 of Section A.

Question 11

What happens in Bar 22 of Section A?

Answer 11

It’s a syncopated bar returning to the opening theme of Section A.

Question 12

What happens from Bar 32-40 of Section A?

Answer 12

9 Bar link of B in G major (modal change) which is more chordal (G7-Cm-F#dim7-G) with an inverted and bass pedal.

Question 13

How does Section B start?

Answer 13

Starts in B major based on a 3 bar pattern.

Question 14

What is the phrasing of the start of Section B?

Answer 14

2x 4 bar phrases (symmetry).

Question 15

What is the texture of the start of Section B?

Answer 15

Duet melodic texture (3rds and 6ths) which is a Classical feature not Romantic.

Question 16

What happens in Bar 53 of Section B?

Answer 16

4 bar interruption using melody from Section A going back to Section B in bar 56.

Question 17

How does Section B end?

Answer 17

Widely spaced RH chords with the the harmony rising chromatically cresc. preparing listener for Section A.

Question 18

How does Section A (2) start?

Answer 18

In Gm without a no anacrusis.

Question 19

What happens at the end of the repeat of Section A (finishing off the piece)?

Answer 19

Bar 108 stays in Gm with no modal change. In bar 114 a 3 bar reprise of Section B is heard in Gm with a quiet perfect cadence ending the piece.