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Music For A While Flashcards

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1
Q

What instruments are typically involved in ‘Music for a While’?

A

Voice (usually tenor) and continuo

This edition is scored for soprano, harpsichord, and bass viol.

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2
Q

To which key has ‘Music for a While’ been transposed in this edition?

A

A minor

The original key was C minor.

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3
Q

What is characterized by the right hand of the harpsichord part in ‘Music for a While’?

A

Elaborate realisation, highly decorative, frequent dotted rhythms and ornamentation

Includes upper and lower mordents, grace notes, and appoggiaturas.

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4
Q

How would the right hand part of the harpsichord have been performed at the time of ‘Music for a While’?

A

Improvised by the player

This was not notated.

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5
Q

What does the left hand of the harpsichord play in ‘Music for a While’?

A

Ground bass

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6
Q

What instrument plays the ground bass alongside the harpsichord?

A

Bass viol

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7
Q

What type of instrument is a bass viol?

A

A bowed, fretted, stringed instrument used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods

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8
Q

How many strings does a bass viol typically have?

A

Six strings

A seven-stringed bass viol has an additional low A string.

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9
Q

What is the tuning of the bass viol?

A

D, G, C, E, A, D

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10
Q

What are some physical differences between a bass viol and a modern cello?

A

Flat back, sloped shoulders, C holes, frets

The cello has a curved back, square shoulders, F holes, and no frets.

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11
Q

What bow grip does a bass viol player use?

A

Underhand bow grip

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12
Q

True or False: The bass viol has a curved back like the modern cello.

A

False

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: The left hand of the harpsichord plays the _______.

A

ground bass

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14
Q

What embellishments are found in the harpsichord part of ‘Music for a While’?

A

Upper and lower mordents, grace notes, appoggiaturas

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15
Q

What is the main vocal style of the line in the aria?

A

Mainly syllabic following speech rhythms

This means that the vocal line emphasizes individual syllables in a way that mimics natural speech.

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16
Q

What is paired slurring in the context of this aria?

A

Paired slurrings are found, such as in bar 5 on the words ‘for’ and ‘a’

Paired slurring involves connecting two notes smoothly without articulating the second note distinctly.

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17
Q

What are melismatic moments in the aria?

A

Melismatic moments occur, such as in bar 10 on the word ‘wond’ring’

A melisma involves singing multiple notes on a single syllable.

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18
Q

What is an example of an extended melisma in the aria?

A

An extended melisma occurs in bar 20 on the word ‘eternal’

This illustrates the use of elaborate melodic lines on a single word.

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19
Q

How is repetition used in the aria?

A

Repetition of text is used, such as the word ‘Music’ at the start or ‘drop’ sung nine times in bar 23

Repetition can emphasize particular themes or emotions in the music.

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20
Q

What is word-painting?

A

Word-painting is the technique of writing music that reflects the literal meaning of a song

It enhances the connection between the lyrics and the musical expression.

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21
Q

What dissonance is associated with the word ‘pains’ in bar 12?

A

The dissonance of E in the melodic line against D in the bass part

This dissonance effectively captures the emotional weight of the word ‘pains’.

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22
Q

How is dissonance and resolution presented on the word ‘eas’d’?

A

Dissonance and resolution occur as it falls in a descending sequence, bars 13-14

This musical technique highlights the relief implied by the word ‘eas’d’.

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23
Q

How is the word ‘drop’ represented in the aria?

A

The word ‘drop’ is presented in a descending pattern and is sung nine times, bars 23-25

This reflects the imagery of snakes dropping from Alecto’s head.

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24
Q

What does the word ‘wond’ring’ illustrate in the aria?

A

The word ‘wond’ring’ in bar 10 captures a wistfully descending legato melismatic melody

This musical expression conveys the reflective mood associated with wonder.

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25
How is the word 'eternal' musically represented?
The word 'eternal' is set to a lengthy melisma with repetitive alternating notes ## Footnote This emphasizes the theme of everlastingness associated with the word.
26
What key is the phrase 'free the dead' set in?
The bright key of G major containing rising melodies, bars 16-17 ## Footnote The uplifting key contrasts with the somber themes present in other parts of the aria.
27
What is the overall key of the aria and its effect?
The predominantly minor key suits the sombre nature of the play and the text ## Footnote Minor keys often evoke feelings of sadness or introspection.
28
What is the range or compass of the soprano line in the piece?
A ninth, from E just above middle C to F just over an octave higher ## Footnote The ornamental G in bar 36 is not included in this range.
29
What type of motion is primarily used in the music?
Conjunct or stepwise motion ## Footnote This refers to movements between adjacent notes in the scale.
30
What are passing notes?
Notes that link to notes from the chord but do not belong to the chord ## Footnote Example: E and C on beat 4 of bar 5.
31
What is the maximum leap in the melody typically found?
No greater than a perfect fourth ## Footnote Example: A leap in bar 7.
32
What is the purpose of rests in the music?
To break up phrases
33
What type of sequences are found in the piece?
Descending sequences ## Footnote Example: Seen in bar 20.
34
What types of ornaments are used in the soprano line and harpsichord?
Trills, appoggiaturas, grace notes, upper mordents, lower mordents ## Footnote Examples: Trills in bar 13, appoggiaturas in bar 35, grace notes in bar 6, upper mordents in bar 22, lower mordents in bar 1.
35
What structure does the piece follow?
Ground bass structure ## Footnote This is a recurring melodic pattern in the bass part.
36
What is another name for ground bass?
Basso ostinato
37
What forms were developed from ground bass?
Chaconne and Passacaglia
38
Who is considered a master of the ground bass technique?
Purcell
39
What is the length of the ground bass in 'Music for a While'?
Three bars long
40
What rhythmic values does the ground bass consist of?
Quaver rhythms
41
What is the melodic shape of the ground bass?
Arpeggio based
42
What intervals are used in the ground bass?
Semitone intervals
43
Describe the melodic line of the ground bass.
It starts on A, rises to B, C, D, E, and then falls at the end of the phrase
44
What happens at the end of the ground bass phrase?
There is a characteristic fall of an octave
45
How does the ground bass sound at the end of its phrase?
Incomplete, ending with chord V ## Footnote A sense of a perfect cadence is achieved with chord I at the start of the next repetition.
46
How many times is the ground bass heard in the tonic key before modulation?
4 ½ times
47
When does the ground bass return in the original key?
In bar 23, beat 3
48
When is the ground bass heard completely again?
In bar 29
49
How many additional times is the ground bass heard before the piece closes?
Three more times
50
What form does Purcell's work hint at that became popular later in the Baroque period?
Ternary form da capo aria structure ## Footnote This structure is characterized by the return of the initial theme after a contrasting section.
51
What type of texture is present in the music?
Melody and accompaniment/melody-dominated homophony ## Footnote This texture features a prominent melody supported by harmonic accompaniment.
52
What provides the accompaniment in the music?
Ground bass in the left hand of the harpsichord and the bass viol ## Footnote The ground bass serves as a repeating harmonic foundation for the piece.
53
What role does the right hand of the harpsichord play?
Provides an elaborate realization and some counterpoint with the vocal line ## Footnote This enhances the overall texture and complexity of the music.
54
In what key is the music primarily composed?
A minor ## Footnote The key is influenced by the use of a Tierce de Picardie.
55
What is a notable characteristic of the tonality in this piece?
Sometimes ambiguous due to chromatic and non-diatonic nature of the ground bass ## Footnote This ambiguity adds complexity to the harmonic structure.
56
List some closely related keys to which the central section modulates.
* E minor (bar 14) * G major (bar 16) * C major (bar 21) * A major (bar 23) * E minor (bar 27) ## Footnote These modulations contribute to the dynamic nature of the piece.
57
When does the music return to the tonic key of A minor?
In bar 28 until the end ## Footnote This return provides a sense of resolution to the piece.
58
What type of cadences confirm the modulations in the music?
Perfect cadences ## Footnote Perfect cadences create a strong sense of closure and resolution.
59
What is the nature of the chords used in the harmony?
Diatonic and functional ## Footnote This means that the chords adhere to the scale of the key and serve a specific harmonic function.
60
What type of cadential structure is achieved from chord V to chord I?
Ic-V-I cadential 6-4 ## Footnote This structure is a common way to establish a strong resolution in harmony.
61
How often are suspensions used in the piece?
Very occasionally ## Footnote An example is a 4-3 suspension in bar 3 beat 4½.
62
What is an example of dissonance in the music?
Dissonance on the word 'pains' in bar 12 and 'eas'd' in bars 13-14 ## Footnote Dissonance creates tension that is resolved in subsequent musical phrases.
63
What is a false relation, and where can it be found in this piece?
An F# in the ground bass and an F in the right hand of the harpsichord in bar 1 ## Footnote False relation occurs when two notes that are not adjacent in pitch create a dissonant effect.
64
What is the appropriate tempo for the piece?
A slow tempo ## Footnote No specific tempo indication is given, but a slow tempo is suggested.
65
What is the metre of the piece?
4/4 quadruple time
66
Which types of rhythms are most predominant in the piece?
Quavers and semiquavers
67
Where are dotted rhythms used in the piece?
In the vocal part and more extensively in the right hand part of the harpsichord ## Footnote Example provided: bar 10 for vocal part.
68
Is syncopation present in the piece?
Yes, occasionally ## Footnote Example provided: bar 20.
69
What type of rhythms are used off-beat in the piece?
Off-beat rhythms ## Footnote Example provided: bar 24.
70
How is the ground bass presented in the piece?
Entirely in quavers

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