Pagodes by Debussy (impressionism link piece)

Question 1

rythm + tempo

Answer 1

hugely diverse rythms
- Speeds vary
- open 5ths = semibreve pedals
- Syncopation
- slows down the end of sections (rit)
- Cross rhythms
- Some sections have no clear pulse
- Demisemiquavers, regular groups with triplets and quintuplets

Question 2

structure

Answer 2

Loose in ternary

Question 3

tonality

Answer 3

• Tonal centre is B
• pentatonic scale used

Question 4

harmony

Answer 4

• non functional
• draws heavily on pentatonic material
• harmonic rhythm is slow often with only small changes
• Open 5ths (gongs)
• 4th and 5ths used in chords (influences of gamalan)
• Parallel harmony

Question 5

melody

Answer 5

• two-bar phrases drawing on the pentatonic scale
• Countermelodies
• Whole tone scale use (B section)
• melodies are short (typical of impressionism

Question 6

texture

Answer 6

• Full range of piano used
• Textures vary considerably in thickness and type
• phrases where LH changes to the top of the texture in octaves
• Pedals including inverted ones
• use of octaves

Question 7

sonority

Answer 7

• Pedal required through = feature of impressionism