Listening exercises

Part 3 - Texture

Listen to Track 1 (Theme)
1. After about 18" there is a complete change of mood. This is partly achieved through change of dynamic (volume) but there is more to it. The same instruments are playing, so this mood change is largely achieved through changing something else. What is it?
2. Compare the bars from 53" with the opening. The musical material is essentially the same but sounds different. What is different about the way the next 10" of music are assembled compared to the opening?
Listen to Track 6 (Variation V, R.P.A.)
1. Compared with the theme, at the beginning of Variation V, Elgar has moved the material of the opening to the bass line - played by cellos, basses and bassoons. What else is happening?
2. Compare the passage from 1'03" in Track 6 with the start of this Variation. The musical material is the same but can you describe why it sounds different?
Listen to Track 3 (Variation II, H.D.S.-P.)
1. How many lines of activity are there at the start?
2. After 15" the musical material is repeated. How many lines are there now?
Listen to Track 7 (Variation VI, Ysobel)
1. At 32" the material from the start of the track is repeated. The texture has changed though. What has been added?
2. Listen to the last note carefully. This is an exceptionally unusual combination of timbres, or texture. How many instruments are playing and what are they?
Listen to Track 2 (Variation I, C.A.E.)
1. There is a brief introduction (8") before the main material starts. There is a change not only in musical substance but a complete alteration in the way the orchestra is used to play it - the texture. What is this change?
2. From the point where it changes, listen very carefully and describe how many lines of musical material you can identify and which instruments are playing them.

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