Set works - Themes
On this page we will try to become more familiar with the individual themes (melodies) in the set works. For now, it is most important to know what the themes sound like, but you should also start to consider how they're written. These themes don't need to be learned off, but they do need to be understood. Questions like rhythmic and melodic features, time and key signatures etc. are common.
Handel Hornpipe.
The key of the hornpipe is D major.
Time signature 3/2. Observe the rhythm in the 1st bar, 3 minim beats in each bar.
In the following 3 bars, syncopation is the main rhythmic feature.
Melody features step and leaps and triadic (chords) movement.
Also note there are always 2 notes played together in this theme, plaed by 2 trumpets or 2 horns.
The hornpipe is in Ternary form, i.e. ABA. The A sections are characterised by the theme above, the B section with the conrasting theme below.
This part of the hornpipe is in B minor, the 1st 3 notes form the chord (triad) of B minor. Also note the repeated notes and the sequences.
Rhythmic features include even crotchets (sweets) and quavers (ice cream)
This part of the hornpipe is in B minor, the 1st 3 notes form the chord (triad) of B minor. Also note the repeated notes and the sequences.
Rhythmic features include even crotchets (sweets) and quavers (ice cream)
Handel - Minuet
The minuet is in 3/4 time and again the key is D major.
Melodic features include repeated notes, sequence, mostly step movement and ornamentation, (tr)
Rhythmic features are mostly crotchets and quavers.
The minuet is in Binary form, that is, it has 2 sections, AB.
The minuet is in 3/4 time and again the key is D major.
Melodic features include repeated notes, sequence, mostly step movement and ornamentation, (tr)
Rhythmic features are mostly crotchets and quavers.
The minuet is in Binary form, that is, it has 2 sections, AB.
Rossini - William Tell
Sunrise in the alps begins on a low E, played by solo cello. The opening cello rising pattern is based on a triad (chord) of Em. This melody might be described as triadic or using a broken chord or arpeggio.
Sunrise in the alps begins on a low E, played by solo cello. The opening cello rising pattern is based on a triad (chord) of Em. This melody might be described as triadic or using a broken chord or arpeggio.
In the middle of this section, the tonality brightens as it changes from minor to E major. The added accidentals (sharps) below show this tune is in E major.
Below, an example of how timpani roll is written. Below is a tremolo on strings
Trills and tremolos are also used on other instruments like triangle and flute.
The storm starts with a swirling pattern on strings (below). Note the rhythm. It also fetaures loud dynamics, crashing drums, loud brass and rapidly descending scales on strings.
The storm starts with a swirling pattern on strings (below). Note the rhythm. It also fetaures loud dynamics, crashing drums, loud brass and rapidly descending scales on strings.
At the height of the storm, teeming rain is represented by descending, chromatic scale passages on strings answered by a rising pattern on Trombones. The strings are sometimes in 3rds like this;
and sometimes in octaves like this;
As the storm moves off, the birds start to sing, and the following melody is played on the Cor Anglais. The time signature is now 3/8 and note also the use of triplets, (3 notes in the time of 2). The key is G major.
This melody features many leaps which again could be desdcribed as using broken chords/arpeggios.
This melody features many leaps which again could be desdcribed as using broken chords/arpeggios.
Revolution begins with a fanfare (below left) on trumpet, based on the chord of E. (triadic, broken chord or arpeggio) Note the key is E major and the time signature is 2/4. Below right is the main "gallop" theme. The most important feature is the rhythm.
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna
3/1 time means 3 semibreve beats in each bar.
The intro is 4 bars long, features syncopation and accents and very loud dynamics.
The intro is 4 bars long, features syncopation and accents and very loud dynamics.
The main sections are in 3/2 time, 3 minim beats in each bar. The tune (3 short excerpts below) is heard in unison, 3rds and later, octaves.
The long sustained (tied) note at the end is 9 bars long. It's a D and it's a chord of D major