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Brief analysis of Purcells - Rejoice in the Lord Alway (The Bell Anthem)

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Purcell's - Rejoice in the Lord Alway/The Bell Ant

Rejoice in the Lord Alway (The Bell Anthem)

  • verse anthem
  • C major

Analysis

  • starts on tonic
  • b. 1-15 repeated descending scale - gives it the 'bell anthem' - church like bell
  • b. 14 dominant pedal leads to tonic in next section - perfect cadence
  • b. 16 meter changes to 3/4 - helps it feel more dance like - leads into next section (voice)
  • b. 16-41 1st subject
  • b. 16 A,T,B come in on 3rd beat - anacrusis - accents 1st beat of best bar 'joice' - dance feel - joyful feel
  • b. 16 homophonic texture - moving together with chords
  • b. 42 instrumental interlude
  • b. 45-51 2nd subject- imitative entries
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Purcell's - Rejoice in the Lord Alway/The Bell Ant

  • b. 55 choir enters - anacrusis
  • b. 56 homophonic texture
  • b. 60 series of modulation - A minor (relative minor) - D minor (sub-dominant of relative minor) - makes it sound exciting
  • b. 65 antiphony between choir and soloists - the echo is p dynamics
  • b. 68 modulates to G major - sub-dominant of D minor
  • b. 69 back to C major
  • b. 71 6/8 feel
  • b. 74 repetition in choir
  • b. 77 bass solo interlude
  • b. 79-101 3rd subject
  • b. 88 arrive at G major
  • b. 88 staggered entries
  • b. 91 homophonic texture
  • b. 99 E major
  • b. 101-117 4th subject
  • b. 102 A major
  • b. 102 word painting - 'peace of God' time signature changes - crotchets now instead of quavers - straight rhythms - p dynamics - portraits peace
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Purcell's - Rejoice in the Lord Alway/The Bell Ant

  • b. 118 back to C major
  • b. 133 1st subject returns
  • b. 145 choir move in contrary motion
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