superman theme

    Cards (24)

    • Who is John Williams?
      A classically trained pianist and composer
    • What is John Williams known for?
      Iconic scores for box office hits
    • In what year did John Williams score Superman?
      1978
    • What are the key features of John Williams' compositions?
      • Melody
      • Harmony
      • Orchestration
      • Tonality
      • Time signature
      • Ostinato
    • What is an essential skill of a film composer?
      Creating themes that identify characters
    • Who pioneered the Leitmotif technique?
      Richard Wagner
    • What is a Leitmotif?
      A theme that represents a character
    • What styles does John Williams draw from in his music?
      Romantic and modern styles
    • What is a characteristic feature of modern music in Williams' compositions?
      Use of quartal harmony and dissonance
    • How does Williams create unpredictability in his harmonies?
      By adding unprepared or unresolved dissonances
    • What is the time signature of the piece?
      4/4 alternating with 12/8
    • What does an ostinato refer to in music?
      A repeated rhythm or pitch pattern
    • What are the principal themes in Superman's score?
      • Opening fanfare - theme (a)
      • March - theme (b)
      • Love theme - theme (c)
    • What accompanies the fanfare theme (a) in the score?
      A timpani roll providing a tonic pedal point
    • How does the fanfare theme (a) develop in the score?
      It is repeated with trombones added an octave lower
    • What creates suspense in the music?
      The rhythmic ostinato on lower strings
    • What interval is prominent in the trumpet fanfare?
      Rising fourths
    • How is the march theme (b) linked to the opening fanfare?
      It features a prominent rising fifth
    • What instruments add brightness to theme (b)?
      Glockenspiel and woodwinds
    • How does the love theme (c) begin in the score?
      With a rising legato melody in the horns
    • How does the ostinato rhythm evolve throughout the piece?
      It returns on different notes and instruments
    • What key is the march theme (b) brought back in?
      Bb major, a tone lower than before
    • What is the final reference to the ostinato rhythm in the piece?
      It ends on G
    • What instruments are included in the modern orchestra used by Williams?
      • Piccolo
      • Bass clarinet
      • Glockenspiel
      • Harp
      • Prominent brass and percussion
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