Batman Returns

Question 1

Did Danny Elfman have any training on composing

Answer 1

No he was self taught

Question 2

What did he want to be

Answer 2

A filmmaker

Question 3

Which director does he work closely with a lot

Answer 3

Tim Burton, He brought Elfman to public attention

Question 4

What is his most common style of composing

Answer 4

He scores his music around leitmotifs and develops them through variations

Question 5

What is Penguins Leitmotif

Answer 5

It is very theatrical and uses the organ to make it very dramatic and evil. His theme is constantly altered and manipulated to fit the onscreen action,
It is constantly echoes through the orchestra which makes it feel familiar

Question 6

What is Batman’s theme

Answer 6

It uses brass and is more traditionally heroic- it uses ascension and descension to show he is morally grey,

Question 7

What other melodic features are used throughout

Answer 7

Lots of chromatic movement
Continuous semiquavers and ostinatos give the piece a sense of urgency and movement
Rippling chords on the harp and legato phrases on the strings contrast the rapid movement and match onscreen action

Question 8

How is tonally ambiguity created

Answer 8

Use of diminished and dominant 7th,
Chromatic shifts,
Unprepared modulation,
It makes the audience feel confused while watching- confirms the scene

Question 9

How is the key outlined

Answer 9

By ascending and descending arpeggios (harp and strings)

Question 10

Can you tell the tonality

Answer 10

Due to a strong tonic pedal and bare 5ths an unnerving and mysterious feeling is created as you can’t tell if it is major or minor

Question 11

How is tension created in the harmony

Answer 11

Through unusual leaps and intervals
The tritone C minor to F# minor

Question 12

How does a plagal cadence work with penguin

Answer 12

It relates to his leitmotif as it references religious/organ music

Question 13

What happens at bar 57

Answer 13

There is a grand C major chords that contrasts the minor theme surrounding it- it emphasises the title on screen

Question 14

How does the choir create a sad, weeping idea

Answer 14

Through falling 3rds

Question 15

What happens in the last line

Answer 15

It seems to settle on C# major then there is two bars of C# minor before it ends on C# and G# - it is very tonally ambiguous and unconventional which gives an unsettling sense of place

Question 16

What is the tonality

Answer 16

It is mostly minor- it opens in B flat minor and ends in D minor

Question 17

What is the tonal centre

Answer 17

B flat

Question 18

What is the effect of modulations

Answer 18

It mostly modulates to minor keys with chromatic shifts,
this changes the feeling and emotions but keeps the underlying sadness- it also speeds up the pace

Question 19

What type of score does he use

Answer 19

A classic film score with a symphony orchestra,
He gives very detailed instructions on techniques such as dynamics, articulation and phrasing

Question 20

What playing techniques does he use

Answer 20

Pizzicato, tremolando, con sord, flutter tonguing and timpani rolls

Question 21

How are the wacky aspects of the film represented through instrumentation

Answer 21

Through unique instrument techniques

Question 22

How is the penguin represented through instrumentation

Answer 22

He uses a mixture of childlike instruments like the celesta, piccolo and harps with more dark and sinister instruments like the organ, choir and low brass which reflects penguins need for childhood and family alongside his heartless actions

Question 23

What is the effect of the organ

Answer 23

It represents the ‘bad guy’ as it has a dark, sinister and evil feel

Question 24

What is the effect of the harp

Answer 24

It has an angelic, delicate sound that can easily be lost and overpowered, commonly used when there is a close, personal connection in a scene

Question 25

What is the effect of the celesta

Answer 25

It produces a light, innocent tone like a music box

Question 26

What is the effect of the sleigh bells

Answer 26

They play continuous quavers that make the link to Christmas in the music as it is an important part of the film

Question 27

What is the effect of the wordless choir

Answer 27

The use of traditional music along with darker music can create a worrying feeling- it is an eerie feeling when you cannot make out any lyrics

Question 28

What is the texture like

Answer 28

Constantly changing using layers and octaves which drop in and out and weave amongst each other, There is occasional monophony but is mostly polyphonic

Question 29

How do layers create tension

Answer 29

Sections where the whole orchestra plays add drama and tension between the families as they pass the melodies around and play in monophony

Question 30

What is the structure of the music

Answer 30

It is through composed- it develops as it goes on which is typical of film music, There are recurring leitmotifs and ideas but no set structure

Question 31

What is the effect of using augmentation

Answer 31

It stretches the leitmotifs ## Footnote Augmentation refers to the lengthening of note values in a musical theme.

Question 32

How do time signature changes affect the music

Answer 32

It helps the music stick with the scenes ## Footnote Time signature changes can create a sense of movement and alignment with narrative elements.

Question 33

What rhythmic techniques create interest in the music

Answer 33

Cross rhythms and syncopation ## Footnote These techniques add complexity and unpredictability to the rhythm.

Question 34

What regular rhythmic patterns are used to contrast with quavers and semiquavers

Answer 34

Triplets and sextuplets ## Footnote These patterns create a distinctive feel against simpler rhythms.

Question 35

What contributes to the depth of a musical piece

Answer 35

Tempo changes along with dynamics ## Footnote Variations in speed and volume enrich the listening experience.

Question 36

What musical element creates movement and urgency in certain pieces

Answer 36

Driving ostinato ## Footnote An ostinato is a repeated musical phrase that adds momentum.

Question 37

What do changes in metre contribute to music

Answer 37

Rhythmic diversity ## Footnote Variations in metre can keep the listener engaged.

Question 38

What is introduced in bar 18 that showcases musical motion

Answer 38

Broken chord figures in contrary motion ## Footnote Contrary motion involves one part moving up while another moves down.

Question 39

What time signature is used in bar 13 during a dramatic moment

Answer 39

⅜ ## Footnote This time signature can create a sense of urgency or tension.

Question 40

What rhythmic style is described as march-like with some syncopation

Answer 40

March like rhythms ## Footnote These rhythms often convey a sense of progression or movement.

Question 41

What is the predominant time signature in the music discussed

Answer 41

Mostly 4/4 ## Footnote 4/4 is a common time signature that provides a steady beat.

Question 42

What happens to the triplet accompaniment to create a simpler texture

Answer 42

Drops out ## Footnote Removing layers can emphasize the main melody or theme.

Question 43

What technique is used to emphasize dynamic changes in the music

Answer 43

Instruments drop out ## Footnote This creates a contrast that highlights changes in volume.

Question 44

How does BoP1 compare to BoP2 in terms of tempo

Answer 44

BoP1 is faster than BoP2 ## Footnote Tempo differences can affect the overall energy and feel of a piece.

Question 45

What rhythmic elements are used to create the sensation of speeding up

Answer 45

Triplets and percussion ## Footnote These elements can give the impression of increasing pace.

Question 46

What musical texture is described as very noticeable and dramatic

Answer 46

Brief moments of homophony ## Footnote Homophony features a primary melody accompanied by chords.