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What was the role of the basso continuo in Baroque music?

The use of basso continuo, or figured bass, is prominent in this era. The harpsichord, cellos, basses and bassoons (if present) would read off the same line of music. There would be numbers written beneath t...
AP
Answered by Adeoluwa P. • Music tutor
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Listen to the extract of 'Quiet' from Matilda the Musical and describe three ways that Minchin creates dramatic contrast within this song..

Minchin uses dynamics and tempo to create contrast in this song. The piece begins with a crescendo building through the whole of the first section to reflect the lyrics, 'my heart is pounding, my eyes are bu...
LS
Answered by Lizzie S. • Music tutor
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Listen to the following piece by Frédéric Chopin and comment on its key features. Your answer should consider texture, tonality, melody, and rhythm.

[The piece played is Chopin's Prelude no. 2 in A minor, op. 28]This piece for the piano begins with the left hand alone in a rhythmic ostinato figure. The use chromaticism makes this opening tonally ambiguou...
JK
Answered by Joseph K. • Music tutor
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Identify three features of melody, harmony and/or instrumentation used in Haydn: Symphony No. 100 in G major, ‘Military’, that is typical of the music of the Classical period?

The melodic phrases are predominantly balanced and conjunct. There is additionally melodic ornamentation, such as appoggiaturas (grace notes). There is also some chromatic movement. The harmonic progressions...
OV
Answered by Oren V. • Music tutor
5688 Views

Describe the tonality of Purcell's 'Music for a while' and how this reflects the mood of the piece.

The tonic key of the piece is A minor, which reflects the sombre mood of the piece and sombre meaning of the lyrics. This is first confirmed by the perfect cadence in bars 3-4 and again in bars 9-10. At bars...
EH
Answered by Elspeth H. • Music tutor
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