Includes a detailed summary of the information needed for A2 exam. Background, Key points of interest, Structure, Melody, Tonality, Harmony, Texture, Sonority, Rhythm & Metre. (FYI Secured B Grade with these notes)
Clara Schumann - ‘Piano Trio in Gm Op. 17’, 1st Movement - Revision Notes
'Estampes' Debussy - A* Summary Notes
'Estampes' Debussy. A* Essay plan.
All for this textbook (22)
Written for
A/AS Level
PEARSON (PEARSON)
Music 2016
Unit 3 - Appraising
All documents for this subject (48)
Seller
Follow
catherineannegood
Content preview
Danny Elfman’s Batman Returns Extracts:
All Extracts
BACKGROUND
- Elfman: Self taught composer and rock musician in band 'Oingo Boingo'
- Close working relationship with director Tim Burton
↪ Have often collaborated:
Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Planet of the Apes
- Scores much of his music around leitmotifs.
- Film is a sequel to 'Batman' (1989);
A darker adaptation of the superhero, with almost a dual personality- the potential to
be hero and villain.
POINTS OF INTEREST
- The relationship between the music and the on screen action
- How the music reflects 'darkness'
- The '(dark) Superhero' element
- The chaotic nature of the music
- The comic aspect of the music
- Leitmotifs
, (Main Theme) Birth of a Penguin Part 2
STRUCTURE
- All through composed pieces
- Direction of music reflects on screen action
Point Explanation Reference(s)
Through-composed
Bars 1-11, WOJCIECH KILAR-
- Dark screen, Michael DRACULA
Keaton’s name - Similar to Batman’s leitmotif.
appears Both 'dark' characters of the
- Coinciding with first night (bat/vampire.)
full appearance - Same melody and tonality with
Batman motif slight variation in rhythm,
consists of rising 4th and
descending semitone
Opening bars of Main theme:
- Gives a sense of
excitement & nervous
tension
, MELODY
Point Explanation Reference(s)
Melody dominated by Batman motif
(appropriate for main title sequence)
High melody at very start = a modified version of
Penguin motif
- Augmented in violins
‘Hint’ of Batman motif at Bars 5-6, before full motif
appears at Bar 9
Descending triplet phrase Descending triplet phrase:
- Based on an idea from the main theme of - Based on an idea
from the main
theme of first
Batman film
Batman motif heard in rhythmic diminution
Motif passed around different orchestral sections
(Bars 27-51)
2nd Batman motif appears in violins
(Bar 34)
- Legato in style contrasting with first motif
Elfman uses melody to force modulation to Bbmaj
- Holding augmented note (Bb)
- Uses this as a pivot note
Batman theme extended by 1 note
(Bars 22-23)
Female chorus singing descending pattern ‘Sigh motif’: Psycho, Herrmann (1960)
- ‘Sigh motif’
- Sequential pattern = descending semitones Edward Scissorhands, Elfman
- Achieves feeling of pity for poor infant (1990)
descending further into underground 'Sighing' choir idea explored
waterways
- Makes us feel sorry for The Penguin
Clever link between Penguin theme ‘sigh motif’ and
Batman theme
- Augmented 4ths (tritones) that feature
prominently in this theme
- Batman theme built upon augmented 4th
(tritone)
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller catherineannegood. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $5.85. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
