REICH: 'Electric Counterpoint'

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Edexcel GCSE Music flashcards for Reich
Alex C
Flashcards by Alex C, updated more than 1 year ago
Alex C
Created by Alex C over 8 years ago
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Question Answer
Dynamics guitars 1-4 have the least dynamic variety (mf)
Dynamics live guitar has the most variety: new forte idea, fades as passing to other guitar
Dynamics bass guitars generally use strong dynamic - e.g. sudden ff at bar 78, then fade as approaching coda
Rhythm/Metre 3/2 overall, but later 12/8 is combined (some parts in each) = polymetre (simple & compound against each other)
Rhythm/Metre effect of continuous quavers maintained throughout - little variety; hypnotic
Rhythm/Metre metrical displacement shifts strong and weak notes - changes ostinato's character; out of sync
Structure moves through series of sections, each identified by a change in instrumentation or texture - e.g. bass guitar in b.24
Structure structure achieves overall balance by returning to 4 part canon ostinato, and losing chords from texture in a concluding coda section
Melody shapes are more like motifs than melodies - triadic/stepwise - the falling perfect 5th is prominent
Melody pattern in fragments, gradual note addition until ostinato is established
Melody resultant melody is played by live guitar (once 4 part canon is underway)
Instrumentation/Timbre live guitar g.1-4 g. 5-7 (play chords) 2 electric bass
Instrumentation/Timbre played by one performer - all parts but the live guitar intended to be recorded, and live guitar performed live over the top
Instrumentation/Timbre live guitar is amplified to create balance with pre-recorded backing
Texture Built up gradually; starts with monophonic guitar 1. This pattern is treated canonically.
Texture sustained chords enrich texture e.g. bar 36
Texture dense and intricately interactive texture, combining ostinato patterns, chords & bass riffs; strong emphasis on use of canon
Harmony/Tonality doesn't use conventional chord progressions - e.g. no cadences instead, harmonies arise as a result of the combined ostinato patterns
Harmony/Tonality guitar 5-7 use parallel harmonies - stepwise patterns of 3, and 2nd inv. chords
Harmony/Tonality bare chord of B & E to end - uncertain tonality
Context -3rd movement -written for Pat Metheny -first performed in 1987 -other composers: Terry Riley, Philip Glass -another Reich work: Vermont Counterpoint (flute)
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