Wider Listening

The following suggested pieces allow you to extend your knowledge of the set work by hearing other pieces that contain similar or contrasting features.

Minchin

'Naughty’, by Tim Minchin from Matilda.
- This is another example of a song from a musical.
- It is scored for 13 orchestral instruments and solo voice.
- There are interesting percussion parts and marcato chords which also follow the solo voice.
- Although not as dramatic as Defying Gravity due to the simpler harmony, this does show the extended verse/chorus form.

Wider Listening

The following suggested pieces allow you to extend your knowledge of the set work by hearing other pieces that contain similar or contrasting features.

Shaiman

'Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now’ by Marc Shaiman from Hairspray.
- The musical Hairspray is based in Baltimore in the 1960s.
- This particular song is performed by three of the lead female characters and includes more comedy than Defying Gravity.
- 'Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now' also has simpler harmonies and simple textures, showing just how complex Defying Gravity is!

1Musical Elements

1.1Organisation of Pitch

1.1.1Melodic Pitch

1.1.2Melodic Devices

1.1.3Harmonic Pitch

1.1.4Harmonic Devices

1.1.5Harmonic Progressions

1.2Tonality

1.2.1Major & Minor Tonality

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Musical Elements

2Instrumental Music 1700–1820

2.1Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.1Concerto No. 5 in D Major

2.1.2Structure & Melody

2.1.3Instrumentation & Texture

2.1.4Harmony

2.1.5Wider Listening

2.2Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’

2.2.1Piano Sonata No. 8

2.2.2Structure & Melody

2.2.3Other Features

2.2.4Wider Listening

2.2.5End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820

3Vocal Music

3.1Purcell: Music for a While

3.1.1Music for a While

3.1.2Other Features

3.1.3Wider Listening

3.2Queen: Killer Queen

3.2.1Killer Queen

3.2.2Other Features

3.2.3Wider Listening

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Vocal Music

4Music for Stage & Screen

4.1Schwartz: Defying Gravity

4.1.1Defying Gravity

4.1.2Other Features

4.1.3Wider Listening

4.2Williams: Star Wars Episode IV

4.2.1A New Hope

4.2.2Structure & Melody

4.2.3Other Features

4.2.4Wider Listening

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Music for Stage & Screen

5Fusions

5.1Afro Celt Sound System: Release

5.1.1Release

5.1.2Other Features

5.1.3Wider Listening

5.2Spalding: Samba Em Preludio

5.2.1Samba Em Preludio

5.2.2Structure & Melody

5.2.3Other Features

5.2.4Wider Listening

5.2.5End of Topic Test - Fusions

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