Example A-level Compositions

Study the following example A level compositions by listening to the audio and analysing the notated scores. Note the quality of work required to achieve a high mark. Consider how these composers overcame some of the problems commonly found in your compositions and in theirs, problems such as:

• How to achieve continuity and maintain coherence by: *repeating and developing rhythmically distinctive melodic motifs, *using chord progressions some of which may be functional and which develop and conclude over 4/8/16 bars, *using appropriate ostinati to create accompanying textures in melody dominated homophony allowing the melodic material to be heard clearly.

• How to achieve contrast and maintain interest by: *introducing new themes each based on a new rhythmically contrasting repeating melodic motif, *modulating to new related keys in which existing melodies are reworked or new ones introduced, *developing accompanying textures with new voices/ostinati every 4/8/16 bars (especially simple two-part textures over-reliant on ostinati).