Debussy- Pagodes Flashcards
(53 cards)
What did Debussy like doing?
Defying traditional western harmonic rules and experimenting with unique sonorities,
What did he fuse
Western techniques that he learnt at the Paris conservatoire with Eastern elements from the Paris exhibition
Why did he keep traditional western harmonic structure
To appeal to the western ear- it also would have been impossible on the piano anyway,
What was the great exhibition
In Paris in 1889, it showcased technological, industrial and cultural achievements from all over the world,
What is Gamelan music
A type of Indonesian music that is learnt by ear and not written down,
It was created to communicate with the Indonesian gods in 230 AD,
The use of different instruments allowed for more complex messages,
Why were his musical directions in French
As another form of rebellion against tradition
How are pagodas represented
Through phrase shape, they look like pagodas
When is the core melody established
Bar 3
What does the core melody provide
The motivic framework for most of the piece- as an ostinato,
It is initially tetratonic (4 notes)
What style of work is it and how does that affect it
It is impressionistic so should not be overly expressive,
The colour presented by the texture is emphasised,
What does the rigid rhythm do
Reduces the natural inclination of pianists to add rubato
What are some other melodic features of the piece
Very disjunct
Large rippling arpeggios
Staccato mimics the mallets
Tenuto adds weight and resonance,
What happens when the melody is repeated at bar 5
The harmonies change subtly
What happens at bar 7
A scalic countermelody is introduced
Describe bar 11
A pentatonic octave idea with the initial ostinato in octaves,
Octave doubling is an impressionist and Gamelan feature
What is introduced at bar 15
A rumbling triplet ostinato figure, like a slow trill, based of the major 2nd interval in bar 3,
It produces cross-rhythms with the triplets
What happens at bar 23
Contrary- motion
What is used as a linking feature between section A and B
The two note syncopated major 2nd
Where is the fortissimo climax
Bar 41
What is happening at the climax
The theme from bar 11 is in parallel harmony two octaves apart
Where does the harmony usually start
Before the melody
What type of harmony is used
Non-functional, the chords are generally not resolved
This is an impressionistic feature
What is the speed of the harmonic rhythm
Slow
What does the introduction end with
A perfect cadence but as a single note not a triad
