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GCSE Music > Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner from 'Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope' - John Williams > Flashcards

Main Title/Rebel Blockade Runner from 'Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope' - John Williams Flashcards

1
Q

which bars is the main theme- introduction comprised of?

A
  • bars 1-3
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2
Q

describe the tonality, time signature, tempo, timbre, melody, dynamics and rhythm of the introduction.

A
  • tonality : key of Bb major
  • time signature : 4/4
  • tempo : starts fast at 100 BPM - exciting action movie; poco rall in bar 3
  • timbre : trumpet, horn, trombone (brass) ; tuba and timpani added in bar 3
  • melody : dominated by fanfare-like figures (feeling of expectation), rapid repeating notes develop into staccato triplet figures ; free imitation between trombones and trumpets
  • dynamics : fortissimo
  • rhythm : triplets
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3
Q

state an example of anacrusis in the introduction.

A
  • bar 3
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4
Q

which bars is section A comprised of?

A
  • bar 4-7
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5
Q

describe the rhythm/pulse of section A.

A
  • strong quadruple pulse -> march style - reflects ‘military’ style of war between rebels and imperial forces
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6
Q

describe the timbre, melody and texture of section A.

A
  • timbre: tutti (all orchestra) ; brass, strings, bassoon playing accompaniment (punctuating syncopated chords) with rhythm emphasised by snare drum
  • melody : leitmotif -> heroic main theme played by high trumpets -> introduces protagonist luke skywalker
  • texture : mostly melody-based homophony ; accompaniment of punctuating syncopated chords
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7
Q

define leitmotif.

A

-recurring musical idea associated with a particular idea, character or place -> luke skywalker (hero)

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8
Q

what does syncopated mean?

A
  • off-beat
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9
Q

which bars is section A repeated comprised of?

A
  • bars 8-11
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10
Q

describe the timbre, melody, texture and rhythm of section A repeated.

A
  • flutes/violins play demi-semi quaver runs (bar 7) -> soaring flourishes add brilliance and excitement ; whilst trumpets play main theme, violins play tremolando chords and continue inverted tonic pedal from intro
  • percussion play grace notes (bar 7)
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11
Q

which bars is section B (contrasting section) comprised of?

A
  • bars 12-20
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12
Q

describe the melody, dynamics and texture of section B.

A
  • contrasting melody played by all strings apart from double basses - doubled across 3 octaves -> softer (mf), lyrical and more legato compared to section A
  • bars 15, 16 + 17 - counter melody
  • bar 18 - contrary motion -> treble part descends and bass ascends
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13
Q

describe the timbre and harmony of section B.

A
  • lower brass and lower woodwind play accompanying block chords
  • double basses, bassoons and lower woodwind play dominant pedal on F in bass - bars 12-14
  • glockenspiel - plays notes from melody
  • bar 15 - Db maj chord - foreign, builds climax
  • counter melody in bars 15,16 + 17 played by brass and accompanying block chords played by horns /LH piano/oboe - builds climax
  • bars 18-20 - rit and resolution from chord V to chord I is held back -> dramatic effect
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14
Q

describe rhythm of section B.

A
  • bar 18 - dotted quaver. semiquaver in rhythmic unison
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15
Q

what bars is main theme section A played twice comprised of?

A
  • bars 21-29
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16
Q

describe the timbre, melody, harmony/rhythm, texture in main theme section A played twice.

A
  • timbre : tutti, theme played by french horn and strings, accompaniment by lower brass/strings and bassoons and emphasised by percussion like timpani (bar 27), harp glissando as link to next section (bar 29)
  • melody : bar 21 intervals of perfect fifth and minor 7th - heroic feel ; rebel blockade runner transition begins bar 28-29
  • harmony : accompanying chords staccato and accented, punctuated and syncopated and triplets ; tonality - in Bb major and tonal , but from bar 30 - tonality is less clear through more unstable harmonies and progressions
  • texture - melody dominated homophony
17
Q

what bars is the link section comprised of?

A
  • bars 30-32
18
Q

describe the melody, harmony and rhythm of the link section.

A
  • fanfare-like material, related to intro, building up a chord using repeated quaver/triplet semiquaver rhythm
  • rapid ascending sequential figures create sensation of panic
  • sequence of sextuplets played staccato with crescendo and accompanied by timpani roll reinforces sense of urgency
19
Q

what are the rapid sequential figures played by in the link section?

A
  • violins and woodwind -> strings/bassoons/flutes
20
Q

which bars is the transition section comprised of?

A
  • bars 33-35
21
Q

describe the transition section.

A
  • rapid arpeggio figures in strings
  • harmony - strange, unstable harmonies sustained by brass and woodwind
  • dynamics - general diminuendo
  • no clear melody
22
Q

which bars is the star filled sky section comprised of?

A
  • bars 36-68
23
Q

describe the melody in the star filled sky section.

A
  • brief piccolo melody
  • v.different from main theme
  • no repetition, sounds awkward and disjointed
  • harp plays ostinato figure
24
Q

describe the texture and timbre in the star filled sky section.

A
  • much lighter texture compared to main theme
  • main theme : melody dominated homophony with doubled octaves supported by block chords and a full orchestra
  • tuned additional percussion used - vibraphone and celeste for an ethereal feel
25
Q

define ostinato.

A
  • a short melodic or rhythmic phrase that’s repeated
26
Q

describe the tonality in the star filled sky section.

A
  • c minor chord inflected by notes from c minor - Ab and Bb in piccolo -> rich, vibrant effect
27
Q

which bars is the appearance of planets and increase in tension section comprised of?

A
  • bars 39-41
28
Q

describe the melody, harmony, timbre and texture/dynamics of the appearance of plants and increase in tension section.

A
  • strings play scurrying upward figures -> urgency, tension and panic
  • harmony: highly chromatic, becoming more atonal in contrast to main theme in Bb major - atonality creates a sense of uncertainty
  • texture/dynamics : block chords build up and crescendo in trombones and horns - texture thickens as more instruments are added
29
Q

which bars is the spaceship appearing section comprised of?

A
  • bars 42-43
30
Q

describe harmony, melody and texture of the spaceship appearing section.

A
  • key of C minor - complex chords and dissonance make some of the passage at bars 41-60 almost atonal at times
  • 2 chordal figures represent the imperial forces
31
Q

which bars is the larger spaceship in pursuit firing at the first section comprised of?

A
  • bars 44-50
32
Q

describe the timbre, texture, harmony, dynamics and tempo of the larger spaceship in pursuit firing at the first section.

A
  • gong-like instrument plays a low C pedal played fortissimo by bass instruments and accompanied by huge Tam-tam (gong) stroke
  • harmony is dissonant - Db clashing with the C and the Db-G tritone interval
  • timpani and bass instruments play tonic pedal of C - C minor
  • bar 50 - dissonant chords played in rhythmic unison, across the orchestra, fortissimo and accented with rit and pause emphasising effect and heightening tension
  • timpani hammers out an ominous and threatening rhythm
  • similar to Mars from the ‘Planets’
33
Q

which bars is the battle continues + action switches to inside rebel craft section comprised of?

A
  • bars 51-60
34
Q

describe the tempo, harmony, timbre and texture of the battle continues + action switches to inside rebel craft section.

A
  • bar 51 - tempo speeds up to 160BPM
  • dissonant chords played in rhythmic unison -> entire orchestra playing same rhythm together
  • strings/lower brass and woodwind play an ostinato figure on the note C
  • Db major chord - bar 53
  • Db major chord over note C in bass - semitone interval and clashes with C

GCSE Music (12 decks)

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