The Mystery Piece Analysis - Essay Example

Analysis Assignment This mystery piece is beautiful and dynamic; however, it remains rather formal in its structure. This piece distinctly consists of 2 ideas. There are two major ideas in the piece. The first idea starts from the very beginning, it lasts more than a minute (0:00 – 1:43), but it is repeated throughout the piece in different variations. The second idea starts at 02:59 and lasts almost a minute till 3:54. This idea is the opposition to the first one. It also serves as a base for further variation in the piece and within its parts. These 2 ideas create the base of 4 parts within this short piece. The first part dwells on the first idea. It lasts from 0:00 to 2:59. The end of this part is obvious due to harmonic minor applied in the last idea in the piece to make a smooth transition to the second section. The second part starts at 2:59 and ends at 4:44. It is simpler in its melody because it repeats the second idea two times before the third section, which develops the first idea further (4:45-6:18). This part is interesting due to the fact that there is a special variation for cello in it and unusual transition between 2 variations of the first idea represented in this part. The last section dwells on variations of the second idea. They become minor and major, but the melody remains recognizable. This part is united with the previews one by “rhetoric” call and response linkage. It starts at 6:19 and ends at 7:53. The first section has violins in their leading part. They are followed by viola. Cello performs the role of bass in this section. The second section, on the contrary, is led by the viola and cello. Violin comes in the second variation of the idea together with pizzicato accompaniment of the viola. In the thirst section, violin and cello have major parts. After it cello has its solo. It is interrupted by viola and violins to lead the section to the end. The last section starts with cello. Violins and viola continue the melody further. This part is very airy; it is almost deprived of the bass party. Pizzicato cello appears in the second part of this section on the background to follow the violins and viola. It is notable that first two sections have the same tempo. They are both played in moderato which link them together. The first part is dynamic because of little expressive deviations in tempo close to the culmination. Melody is most tensed in the places where strings take the lead. Loud in the beginning, the melody fades out close to the end in the first section; it represents the models of fade-decay of timbre in this section. Loud and high-pitched violins correspond to most stressed elements in the movement. Rhythm is linear; all first section follows three quarters meter. This meter units all sections together. This section does not have any dissonant elements; everything is clearly arranged in relative tonalities, which are mostly minor. The texture in this piece is polyphonic as each instrument has a different part. The second section is less loud and milder in its sounding due to the change of the leading instrument. Viola and cello have deep velvet shades in their sounding which add warmth to the melody. The meter remains the same, which is three quarters; the rhythm is stable from the beginning till the end. This section is less tensed due to the secondary role of the violins. They enter the dialogue with viola and cello, but they do not lead here. Pizzicato, which is present in this section, adds air and dynamics to it. Even though here the rhythmic ornament is more sustainable than in the first section, it does not damage the expressiveness of the piece. Its main function in this case is to oppose the first tensed and gravy section of the piece. This piece is very harmonic and smooth in its flow. These two sections together form a first subject group and second subject group of this piece. Their opposition is utilized to highlight the play of contrast between dynamic and minor first section and relaxed and major second section. The third section starts with all instruments playing together. It makes a great contrast in volume of the section compared to the previous one. This section is initially tensed and very dramatic. This effect is created by strings and their lead as well as in the first section. The changes are visible in melody; it becomes more dynamic and diverse due to the shift form leading string to leading cello. Starting at 5:48, cello becomes a major instrument. It repeats the motif of the first idea or first subject group in the piece. However, the rhythm and melody transform from legato and smooth flow to sharp and accentuated development. Long pauses between every accent create the effect of tension. They also complicate the perception of the section as it is radically different from the rest of the piece. Suddenly at 5:51 the melody flights up to the higher register and it serves as a way back to the main motif. This section is already less harmonious than the first section. It contains dissonance, great contrast in pitch and timbre, complicated rhythmic structure and unexpected developments of the melody. The third section is united with the first section by the same tonality and meter. However, developments in the melody, changes in timber, instrumentation and differences in rhythm support variety of the content. According to the same scheme, the second section is united with the last section. The last section of the piece echoes the second section. However, it transfers the melody to lower tones. It also becomes a bit slower than the third dynamic section. It incorporates some feature of the second section with minor and sad sounding of the third one. At the end, pizzicato create the effect of light music; in it a total opposition to thick and full sounding of strings, violas and cellos playing together. This section is polyphonies as well as all other sections in the piece. Pauses complicate the melody a little, but they do not have the same dramatic effect like pauses applied in the third section of the piece. This piece is very emotional sue to high contrasts between its sections. The first part can be better imagined in black, dark blue and green color because of tension of the music and combination of deep cello with dramatic strings. The second part is transparent orange due to its airy but low sounding and velvet timbre. These color images help to understand the meaning of the music; it reminds of the inner struggle followed by relief and relaxation. Great amplitudes between the sections create a certain conflict between sections. It can be best observed in the third section where cellos have their solo part. Overall, this music is sad because it manifests all typical musical representations of sadness; high amplitudes, violin leads, slow to moderate tempo. It creates the impression of one’s inner tragedy rather than reaction to something external. This piece is about inner controversy, hidden sadness and happiness all people hold in their souls. Read More