A-level Question 6: Analysis of a Set Work Using A Score

1a Bach   1b Vaughan Williams   2a Schumann   2b Berlioz   3a Elfman   3b Hermann   

4a Courtney Pine   4b Kate Bush   4c Beatles   5a Debussy   5b Anoushka Shankar   6a Saariaho   6b Stravinsky

Question 6 Analysis of a Set Work Advice from Examiners Report 2022 Examiners Report

*Whilst no compulsory time-length is given to complete Q5, the examiner recommends that candidates spend at least 70 minutes on Section B, which could be a minimum of 30 minutes on Q5 and 40 minutes on Q6.

Successful Essays

The most successful essays:

*Are organised into three balanced paragraphs, each discussing a different element of music.

*Identify features which illustrate the composer’s use of the three specified elements in the set work.

*Describe and explain each feature using technical vocabulary, demonstrating a strong grasp.  

*Give musical explanations of the effect of each feature observed.

*Make links between the set work and the context in which it was created.

*Make links, embedded consistently throughout the essay, between the set work and other relevant pieces of music, giving a short explanation as to how the feature is used in the related piece.

*Are written as a discussion (as opposed to a list of features) using analytical and appraising skills to make evaluative and critical judgements.

Unsuccessful Essays

The least successful essays:

*Provide a list of vocabulary and musical features which occur in the piece without describing them or explaining their effect on the music as a whole.

*Are imbalanced in their discussion of the three musical elements: favouring one/two elements at the expense/omission of the other(s).

*Demonstrate an over-reliance on the illustrative pages of the score provided in the resource booklet, treating it as a source document to be worked through chronologically during the exam.

*Focus only on the illustrative pages of the score provided in the resource booklet (representing only a third of the work/movement): candidates are expected to discuss the specified work or movement in its entirety (including parts for which the score has not been provided).

*Give a chronological account of the set work, leading to repetition and imbalance between the elements.

*Discuss elements not featured in the question.

*Discuss movements not featured in the question.