Herrmann - Vertigo prelude Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the structure of this piece?
A B, 5 and a half bar transition, A (short) B (short), coda.
What is the key of the piece?
No clear key established but Eb seems to be a tentative home note.
How would you describe the melodies in this piece?
there are no clear melodies - rather repeating ostinatos.
Describe the movement of the opening ostinatos.
Contrary motion
What is the time signature?
6/8
Describe the timbre of the opening section.
String and harp play a high pitched motif while low brass chords interrupt at a forte dynamic.
Describe the main rhythms of the A section.
Constant quavers in the strings and chords in the brass held for 9 quavers
Which notes serve to intensify the ambiguous tonality of the opening?
C and D naturals.
What do the chords coincide with?
The actors’ names appearing on the screen.
In the transition section, describe the melodic movement of the strings.
Rising through the notes of an Eb add4 maj7 chord (Eb G Ab Bb D natural)
What melodic technique is used during the transition section?
Trills.
What is the structure of the B section?
It is structured in three bar phrases which are each based around a different chord.
In the B section, what characterises the internal movement of each chord?
Each has an appoggiatura.
How are the dynamics different in the B section compared to the A section?
The A section has sudden forte from the brass whereas the B section has gradual crescendos to the loud chords.
How does the rhythm change when the A section repeats?
There is Rhythmic diminution - quavers change to semiquavers.
When the B section repeats, how does the structures differs from the first time?
Three bar phrases reduce to two bar phrases based each on a different chord.
How does the tempo differ from the A section to the B section?
The B section is slower - poco piu largo.
What sense does the rhythmic diminution give in the repeated A section?
It adds sense of urgency.
What is absent from the B section when it repeats?
The appoggiaturas
What sense does the reduction to two phrases give in the repeated B section?
It adds a sense of urgency.
What characterises the harmony of the B section?
Almost every chord contains some dissonance.
What is the harmony of the first three chords of the B section?
Ab#11
Am(maj9)
Cm(maj9)
Give imbalanced and disorienting elements in this piece.
1 Ambiguous tonality
2 Brass chords held for odd number (9 quavers)
3 5.5 bar transition
4. B section based on 3 bar phrases (odd number)
5. frequent dissonance.
How does the piece maintain the disorientation right until the end note?
Finishes on leading note.
