A Level Music: Kinderscenen by Schumann: No 3

?
What is the structure?
Rounded binary form (A: BA). Conventional notated repeat of opening 4 bars.
1 of 13
What is the tonality?
B minor. Modulation to G major: bars 9-10 and modulation to unrelated key of C major: bars 9-12 (hints Romanticism). The home key of B minor is then regained after modulations by chords V7 and I of B minor.
2 of 13
Discuss the harmony
Appoggiaturas: bar 2, perfect cadences: bar 20, 7th chords mainly dominant 7ths, music gets stuck on C chord: like the disorientated blindfolded child. Interrupted cadences: avoid establishing the tonality: in G major: bars 10-11 & E minor:bars 12-13
3 of 13
What is a neopolitan chord and where does it occur?
Prolonged neopolitan chord in root position: bars 13-15. 18th century progression reinterpreted in romantic context: neopolitan flat supertonic, C major, approached via an interrupted cadence in E minor: bars 12-13.
4 of 13
Are there any plagal progressions?
Yes, (I-IV-I). This is the first harmonic movement in the number
5 of 13
What is the metre?
2/4
6 of 13
Discuss the rhythm
Continuous semiquavers throughout (semiquaver arpeggio figures keep the momentum going), scurrying semiquavers echoes the 'catch me if you can' theme. Each 2 bar phrase of melody starts with a crotchet.
7 of 13
Where does the broad rhythm of 'sforzandi' run through the piece?
Every 2 bars: however this is interrupted in bars 13-16
8 of 13
Discuss the textures
Melody dominated homophony. Difficult leaping accompaniment for LH suggests movement of blindfolded child. 3 part texture: most active part is top part, bass line firmly on main beat and accompaniment on off-beat chords.
9 of 13
What do the bass and accompaniment play texturally?
Active LH in a stride manner. The exception to this is the open 5th double pedal: bars 13-15 and sustained chords with an inner ascending scale: bars 15-16.
10 of 13
Describe the melody
Sequence: first 2 bars repeated in sequence, creating a 4 bar phrase which is then repeated: bars 5-8. Thematic use of figure of 4 conjunct semiquavers, ascending or descending, appears as a sequence in bar 2.
11 of 13
Is the melody conjunct or disjunct?
Almost entirely conjunctm with leaps on accented notes: appoggiaturas: bar 2 and sforzando dominant 7th: bar 15.
12 of 13
Which note is prominent in the melody?
Leading note, flattened A natural, comes from use of descending melodic minor scale
13 of 13

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the tonality?

Back

B minor. Modulation to G major: bars 9-10 and modulation to unrelated key of C major: bars 9-12 (hints Romanticism). The home key of B minor is then regained after modulations by chords V7 and I of B minor.

Card 3

Front

Discuss the harmony

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is a neopolitan chord and where does it occur?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Are there any plagal progressions?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Music resources:

See all Music resources »See all Developing Musical Understanding resources »