Giants In The Sky

Question 1

Melody?

Answer 1

• opening statement is 1 bar with a descending 5th
• phrases don’t end on tonic end on 6th degree instead
• made up of repeated rushing arch shaped melodies/rising and falling
• excitement builds in verse as repeated 3 melody has increased interval
  E.g. all phrases start with minor third, then initially 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th (b13-15)
• tension resolved in the chorus with longer note lengths
• repeated interval of 4th in 15, 16 and 17

Question 2

Harmony?

Answer 2

• mainly diatonic harmonic scheme in verse 1, bright open deal with unresolved 11th in bar 16
• diatonic Cluster chords in bar 6 at start of verse 1, An major, in third with 6, 7 and 9
• more complex harmony in chorus e.g. Neopolitan flat 2 with the man 7 and 9th in b31
• chromaticism in b41 with F# and F major chord
• b 43 has D and G clashing with Ab minor which provided a bitonal feel
• b48 semitones clash as Fsus4 chord plays

Question 3

Rhythm?

Answer 3

• in verse the opening phrase is anacrustic and has lilting syncopation
• 2 semiquavers provide skipping rhythm
• no rests make it seem rushed,rest in bar 16 for breath
• trumpet stabs in bar 48

Question 4

Tonality?

Answer 4

• tonic key of Abmajor
• modulates to Fmaj for chorus which is drastic
• passing modulation to D minor (real min of F) during chorus
• b43 Ab minor which is unstable and followed by finally ambiguous in b48 that has F minor feel
• final chorus in F# major

Question 5

Texture?

Answer 5

• antiphonal opening
• melody and accomp

Question 6

Sonority?

Answer 6

• crotales, bells and piano play tied semibreves
• woodwind, horns piano and strings play darker sound
• piano plays dancing light cluster chords
• violin plays countermelody based on 3 and 4 in verse
• violin plays repeated C red degree of tonic and 5th of F so helps modulate
• voice sings rushed galloping quaver and semi melody
• trumpet stabs in b48 add panic

Question 7

Structure?

Answer 7

• verse runs into chorus
• ends with intro