Bernstein

• Who was Bernstein?

  American composer, conductor, teacher, pianist
• What types of compositions did Bernstein write?

  Orchestral, chamber, operas, film music
• What are some of Bernstein's musicals?

  • On The Town
  • Candide
  • West Side Story (1957)
  • Mass
• How are Bernstein's melodies often described?

  Attractive and easily memorable
• What is the primary tonal quality of Bernstein's music?

  Mostly diatonic with expressive chromaticism
• What type of melody does Bernstein occasionally use?

  Vocal recitative-type melody with parlando singing
• How does the vocal range in Bernstein's works vary?

  Varied and sometimes almost virtuosic
• What influences can be seen in Bernstein's melodies?

  Grand opera, popular songs, vaudeville, blues
• What is a common motivic idea in Bernstein's music?

  The tritone
• What intervals are common in Bernstein's compositions?

  P4ths and tritones
• How does Bernstein express different viewpoints in his music?

  By combining melodies from different characters
• What are the characteristics of Bernstein's harmony?

  • Diatonic with expressive chromatic passages
  • Common triads with well-placed chromatic chords
  • Frequent transitory modulations
  • Unusual juxtaposition of keys creating bitonality
  • Common harmonic dissonance from tritone frequency
• What is a distinctive feature of Bernstein's tempo and rhythm?

  Frequent cross rhythms and syncopation
• How is percussion used in West Side Story?

  To express dramatic tension and irregular rhythm
• What is an example of a mixed time signature in Bernstein's work?

  America
• What is a hemiola in music?

  A rhythmic pattern that shifts the beat
• How do tempo changes affect Bernstein's music?

  They contribute to changes in dramatic mood
• How does the orchestration in West Side Story compare to typical musicals?

  • Uses a larger orchestra than usual
  • Matches popular styles of the songs
• What type of orchestra does Candide use?

  A symphony orchestra
• What is the texture of Bernstein's music typically like?

  • Mostly melody and accompaniment
  • Homophonic accompaniment with broken chords
  • Vocal recitative with melody and homophonic accompaniment
  • Vocal lines often doubled and supplemented by countermelodies
  • Countermelodies create polyphonic textures