Defying Gravity

• Defying Gravity


  Act One finale of the musical Wicked, in which Elphaba vows to oppose the Wizard's evil plans
• Defying Gravity


  1. Verse-and-chorus song form

  2. Recitative sections

  3. Duet sections with Glinda

  4. Short part for chorus at end

  5. Highly dramatic staging with Elphaba flying on broomstick
• Structure

  • Intro (recitative)
  • Verse 1
  • Chorus
  • Verse 2
  • Chorus
  • Bridge
  • Chorus (with Glinda)
  • Varied reprise of intro
  • Verse 3
  • Chorus
  • Coda
• Orchestration

  • Relatively large pit band of 23 musicians
  • 4 woodwind players doubling on various instruments
  • 6 brass
  • Harp
  • 2 electric guitars
  • 3 keyboard synths
  • Wide range of percussion
• Vocal ranges

  • Glinda: Soprano
  • Elphaba: Mezzo-soprano
• Recitative


  A type of vocal music that mimics the rhythms of speech
• Scena


  A composite format with different sections (e.g. recitative, duet, chorus)
• Colla voce


  Indicates that the band must follow the rhythm of the singers
• Leitmotif

  A recurring melodic theme that reflects a character or idea
• Ostinato


  A repeated musical pattern
• Triadic


  Based on a triad (3 notes)
• Sus chord


  A chord in which the 3rd is replaced by either a 2nd or 4th above the root
• Pedal


  A sustained note, usually in the bass, that continues through changing harmonies
• Rallentando


  Slowing down
• Syncopation


  Accenting a weak beat
• Hook


  A melodic fragment designed to catch the listener's ear, often including the song title