Morse on the Case

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  • Created by: HRM_1999
  • Created on: 20-04-17 20:38

Changes in Resources & Forces

-Strings, oboe, four horns in F, harp and piano - a limited and unusual combination of instruments

-Solo oboe enters at b.49 for first time

-Strings are muted from b.1 for the rest of the piece

-All forces are never used at one time which symbolises the specific purpose of each instrument; entry of double bass and cello at b.99 (scene change)

-One or two horns play in two passages between b.12 and b.35; four horns play in unison from b.98

-Harp is presented almost continuosly from b.101-the end

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Melodic writing

-Main themes emphasise the changes in tone in regard to conversation between two characters (b.9-12, piano motif is played when Redpath's daughter is crying)

-Use of rising 4th and falling 3rd motif is first played by piano and begins at b.1- strengthens idea of ambiguity

-Rising 4th is used in oboe at b.64 which is a moment when a question is asked on screen (curiosity)

-Development of first motif in strings = inverted, rhythmically augmented and forms a sequence which is repeared two and a half times (b.3)

-Descending 2nds played by the horns creates a sense of relief (b.12-19)

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Texture and density

-Texture defined by changes in mood, conversation or scene

-Changes of density (two-part at b.53)

-Monophony (b.59-64 and b.95 bt 4 to b.98 bt 2) helps to link the two scenes as it is isistent and defiant

-Rare moment of thicker texture (b.110)

-Piece = mostly two or three-part teture (b.4 and b.26)

-Piano = sparsely textured

-Sustained octave in oboe and violins (b.66-68)

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Structural analysis

-Piece is through-composed as there is no recurring theme (reflects action on-screen)

-Could be seen as three sections: section A= b.1-50, section B = b.50-97, section C = b.98-112

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Tonality and harmonic features

-Aeolian mode

-Diatonic but non-functional harmony & tonality

-No clear cadences but b.55 indicates D

-One clear moment of silence (b.60 bt 2)

-F# in b.100, 105 and 107 suggests Lydian mode

-Tonal sound of C (b.8-11)

-Sus 2 chord (b.4)

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Rhythmic Features

-Time signature 4/4; not obvious to the listener

-Much of the music is very static (b.39-52) to make the viewer's focus on what is happening on-screen

-Rhythmic diminution; b.18-20 and then b.26

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