Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
S. Schwartz: Defying Gravity (Structure (Verse-Chorus form, Intro,…
S. Schwartz: Defying Gravity
Melody
Music is notated with crosses when part spoken/part sung
Both voices have a large range of just under 2 octaves
Both characters deliver the text Spoken, part spoken/part sung or entirely sung
Mostly syllabic in a speech-like manner
Mostly conjunct
Verses and chorus conjunct and wide leaps
Leaps are often a 5th (but some larger leaps)
Context
Tells the story from the witches view point (Glinda & Elphaba) who despite their differences become freinds.
Premiered in 2003
Based on the novel 'The life & times of the wicked witch of the west'
Final song of first act (Duet)
Musicals combine songs, spoken dialogue, dancing & acting
Harmony & Tonality
Chord progressions often unrelated to the key
Main key is D Major
Tonality is ambiguous at the start with chromatic movement
Modulates to B Major, F Major & B minor
Full Tutti section at end in B minor
Finishes on a D major chord
Some dissonance
Chords are in root position
Tempo, Metre & Rhythm
Allegro- Fast tempo
Andante- steady tempo
Moderato- medium tempo
Starts with a free tempo
Maestoso- stately/majestic
Rallentandos-slowing down
returns back to 2/2
Changes to 4/4 later
Changes from 3/2 to 2/2 in opening
Some longer notes at the end of phrases
Syncopation is frequent
Mainly crotchets & quavers
Dotted rhythms eg 'Gra-vi-ty'
Triplet rhythhms
Each phrase starts with an off-beat after a rest
Pause marks (fermatas) are used to lengthen rhythms.
Hi-hat on drum kit plays constant crotchets
Texture
Homophonic texture clear in the verses
Singers sing in unison or harmony (usually 3rds)
Sparse texture at the start with a few monophonic bars
Mostly Homophonic
Tutti- when all instruments & voice sound together
Contrapuntal in tutti section
Instrumentation
Percussion includes drum kit, tubular bells & timpani
Synthesisers, piano/keyboard, guitar & bass guitar
All 4 sections of the orchestra
Large orchestra
Structure
Verse-Chorus form
Intro
Interlude
Verse 1
Chorus 1
Verse 2
Chorus 2
Interlude 2
Chorus 3
Repeat of intro
Verse 3
Chorus 4
Coda
Sonority/Articulation
Strings use tremolo
Cymbal roll
Brass plays in a fanfare-like manner
Tubular bells create a delicate/graceful sonority
Electric guitars use overdrive