Defying Gravity Flashcards

(83 cards)

1
Q

What is ‘Defying Gravity’ in the context of Wicked?

A

‘Defying Gravity’ is a duet for the characters Elphaba and Glinda with some spoken dialogue in addition to the singing.

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2
Q

What vocal range do the singers of ‘Defying Gravity’ require?

A

The singers require a large range of just under two octaves, from G below middle C to F.

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3
Q

What instruments are included in the woodwind section of Wicked’s orchestra?

A

The woodwind section includes:
* Piccolo
* Bass clarinet
* Cor anglais

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4
Q

What types of percussion instruments are used in Wicked?

A

The percussion instruments include:
* Drum kit
* Tubular bells
* Timpani

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5
Q

How are electric guitars used in ‘Defying Gravity’?

A

Electric guitars are required with over-drive, a distortion effect, to create a modern sound.

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6
Q

What is the orchestral score in the anthology described as?

A

The score is described as a short score or orchestral reduction with labelled main instruments and solos.

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7
Q

How does the brass section contribute to the music in ‘Defying Gravity’?

A

The brass section plays homophonic chordal music in an almost fanfare-like manner.

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8
Q

What effect do the strings use in bar 34?

A

The strings use a tremolo effect to add tension.

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9
Q

What rhythmic role does the closed hi-hat of the drum kit play in bar 51?

A

The closed hi-hat plays constant crotchet rhythms to add rhythmic momentum.

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10
Q

What musical event occurs in bar 122?

A

There is a cymbal roll to add excitement as the piece moves into a key change.

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11
Q

What happens at bar 135 in ‘Defying Gravity’?

A

The full band plays at the climax of the song.

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12
Q

What instruments are used to create a magical-sounding effect in the chorus?

A

Synthesisers and glockenspiel are used for a high magical-sounding repeated quaver accompaniment.

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13
Q

What unique sound do tubular bells provide in bar 147?

A

Tubular bells give an ethereal sonority.

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14
Q

What is the text setting throughout the melody?

A

Syllabic

The rhythm moves in a speech-like manner.

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15
Q

What vocalisation occurs at the end of bar 175?

A

‘aah’

This indicates a specific vocal element in the performance.

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16
Q

How does the melody start?

A

In a conjunct/stepwise manner

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17
Q

What do bars 6 and 7 demonstrate in the melody?

A

An ascending sequence

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18
Q

How do the verse and chorus combine in the melodic line?

A

Conjunct and wide angular leaps

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19
Q

What type of leap is often featured in the melody?

A

Rising perfect fifth

Example: bar 34

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20
Q

What is an example of exceptionally large leaps in the melody?

A

Compound perfect fourth and compound perfect fifth

Examples: bars 39-40 and bars 140-141 respectively.

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21
Q

What is the distinct form of the piece?

A

Verse-chorus form

The piece is structured with verses and choruses.

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22
Q

Where do the verses occur in the piece?

A

Bar 34, bar 63, bar 135

These bars mark the locations of the verses.

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23
Q

Where do the choruses occur in the piece?

A

Bar 50, bar 79, bar 103, bar 151

These bars mark the locations of the choruses.

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24
Q

What defines the multiple sections within the structure?

A

Tempo, contrasting moods, and melodic material

These elements differentiate the sections in the piece.

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25
What is the tempo marking for the section labeled 'Free tempo'?
Free tempo ## Footnote Indicates a flexible tempo without strict adherence to a specific speed.
26
What is the term used to describe music that is 'recitative-like'?
Recitative-like ## Footnote A style of vocal music that resembles speech, often used in operas.
27
What tempo marking is indicated for bar 34?
Andante ## Footnote A moderate tempo, typically considered to be at a walking pace.
28
What is the tempo marking for the chorus in bar 50?
Allegro ## Footnote A fast, lively tempo.
29
What is the tempo marking indicated for the section in bar 63?
Verse ## Footnote Refers to the lyrical section of the music typically containing the narrative.
30
What is the tempo marking for the chorus in bar 79?
Chorus ## Footnote A section that typically features multiple voices singing together.
31
What tempo marking is indicated for bar 103?
Chorus ## Footnote Indicates a repeated section featuring ensemble singing.
32
What is the tempo marking indicated for the section leading into the chorus at bar 135?
Andante ## Footnote Suggests a moderate pace for this section.
33
What is the tempo marking for the chorus in bar 151?
Allegro ## Footnote Indicates a lively and fast-paced section.
34
What tempo marking is indicated for the section leading into bar 168?
Maestoso ## Footnote A majestic and dignified tempo.
35
What type of musical interaction occurs between Glinda and Elphaba?
Duet with spoken dialogue and singing ## Footnote Combines vocal elements with dialogue for dramatic effect.
36
Describe the opening of the duet between Glinda and Elphaba.
Orchestral chord stabs at start with sparse monophonic moments ## Footnote Indicates a dramatic and sparse texture initially.
37
What musical texture is used in the opening of the piece?
Homophonic chordal opening ## Footnote Features a single melody with chordal accompaniment.
38
What harmonic feature is present in the verse?
Dissonant harmony for accompaniment ## Footnote Creates tension and interest in the music.
39
What type of melody does Glinda sing after the title hook?
Crotchet triplet-based melody ## Footnote A melody that incorporates triplets, giving a rhythmic complexity.
40
What key does the contrasting section move to?
G major ## Footnote A shift in key that often signifies a new section or theme.
41
What type of accompaniment is used when both characters sing in unison?
Semiquaver accompaniment ## Footnote Features rapid notes that provide a lively backdrop.
42
What happens at the climax of the song?
Full orchestra and loud dynamic ## Footnote Characterizes a peak moment in the music, often emotionally intense.
43
What is the musical feature of the reprise of the chorus?
Homophonic chordal music ## Footnote Returns to a familiar texture, reinforcing musical themes.
44
What is indicated by the build-up to the full tutti finale?
Counterpoint with different musical lines and lyrics ## Footnote Involves multiple independent melodies occurring simultaneously.
45
What is the texture of the opening of the piece?
Sparse texture with punctuating instrumental chord stabs and monophonic unaccompanied bars ## Footnote Example: bar 1 shows sparse texture, and bar 3 has monophonic unaccompanied sections.
46
What type of texture is present in the verses?
Melody and accompaniment or melody-dominated homophony ## Footnote The singer is accompanied by chords in the orchestra.
47
What is an example of a homophonic chordal moment?
Bar 132 ## Footnote This moment features homophonic chordal texture.
48
What type of accompaniment is present at bar 88?
Ostinato accompaniment with repeated semiquavers ## Footnote This creates a rhythmic foundation for the section.
49
How do Elphaba and Glinda typically sing?
Usually separately, but sometimes together in unison or harmony ## Footnote Example: bar 101 shows unison singing, while bar 127 features harmony such as thirds.
50
What is the texture of the ending?
Contrapuntal with three different musical ideas with different lyrics ## Footnote Example: bar 168 showcases this contrapuntal texture.
51
What is the tonality of the piece at the opening?
Ambiguous with chromatic movement and unrelated chord progressions ## Footnote This creates a sense of uncertainty in the tonality.
52
In which key does the piece begin?
D major ## Footnote This is the tonic key for much of the piece.
53
What key does the piece modulate to at bar 20?
B major ## Footnote This lasts for two bars before transitioning.
54
What key is reached at bar 22?
F major ## Footnote This is a temporary modulation before returning to D major.
55
What is the tonic key for the verse starting from bar 32?
D major ## Footnote The piece remains in this key until bar 88.
56
What key does the piece move to at bar 88?
G major ## Footnote This is a shift away from D major.
57
What happens at bar 103 in terms of tonality?
The piece returns to D major ## Footnote This indicates a return to the tonic key.
58
What is the key at bar 115?
Returns to the chromatic melody of the opening ## Footnote This suggests a revisitation of earlier material.
59
What key does the piece return to at bar 132?
D major ## Footnote This reestablishes the tonic key again.
60
What is the tonality at the final Maestoso section at bar 168?
B minor until finishing on a chord of D major ## Footnote This provides a resolution to the piece.
61
What is the chord position of the chords throughout the piece?
Chords are in root position ## Footnote This is common in tonal music for clarity.
62
What is notable about the chord progressions in the piece?
Often unrelated with downward shifts in parallel semitones ## Footnote Example: D chord to C# minor chord to C major chord.
63
What is an example of dissonance in the piece?
Bar 30 ## Footnote This moment contributes to the tension in the harmony.
64
What is present at the end of the piece at bar 168?
A pedal ## Footnote This creates a sustained tonal foundation.
65
How many tempo changes are there in the song?
Numerous tempo changes ## Footnote These changes are important to the overall structure.
66
What is the tempo at bar 1?
Free tempo ## Footnote This allows for flexibility in the opening.
67
What is the tempo at bar 20?
Andante ## Footnote This indicates a moderate pace.
68
What is the tempo at bar 49?
Allegro ## Footnote This denotes a fast tempo.
69
What is the tempo at bar 88?
Moderato ## Footnote This suggests a moderate pace.
70
What is the tempo at bar 103?
Allegro ## Footnote This indicates a return to a fast tempo.
71
What is the tempo at bar 111?
Andante ## Footnote This slows the pace again.
72
What is the tempo at bar 129?
Allegro ## Footnote This returns to a fast tempo.
73
What is the tempo at bar 162?
Andante ## Footnote This suggests a more relaxed pace.
74
What is the tempo at bar 168?
Maestoso ## Footnote This indicates a majestic and stately tempo.
75
What is a rallentando?
A gradual decrease in tempo, particularly at the end of sections to transition from Allegro to Andante ## Footnote Ralls may also be followed by an a tempo.
76
What time signature changes occur in the piece?
The piece changes from 3/2 to 2/2 in the opening section, then to 4/4 at bar 88, and returns to 2/2 at bar 115 ## Footnote These changes affect the rhythmic feel of the music.
77
Where is syncopation frequently found in the piece?
In bars 67-70 ## Footnote Syncopation adds rhythmic interest and complexity.
78
What rhythmic elements are used throughout the piece?
Dotted rhythms and triplets ## Footnote For example, dotted rhythms appear in bar 82 and triplets in bars 60 and 96.
79
What types of triplets are utilized in the piece?
Quaver triplets and crotchet triplets ## Footnote Examples include quaver triplets in bar 96 and crotchet triplets in bar 60.
80
What are the predominant rhythms in the piece?
Crotchet and quaver based rhythms ## Footnote There are also some longer duration notes at the ends of phrases.
81
How do rests function in the composition?
Rests are used to break up phrases ## Footnote This creates a sense of phrasing and separation between musical ideas.
82
How does each phrase begin?
With an off-beat entry after a crotchet rest ## Footnote This technique adds rhythmic variety and interest.
83
What is the purpose of pause marks or fermatas in the piece?
To lengthen and give freedom to longer rhythms ## Footnote Examples of their use include bars 174 and 176.