Purcell Section A

18-Henry Purcell: Music for a While (0.00-1.03)

1. In which bar does the voice enter? (1)

2. Describe the vocal melody at the end of the extract. (1)

3. The extract starts in A minor. Identify the key and cadence at the end of the extract. (2)

4. State three purposes of the introduction. (3)

5. Suggest a suitable word to describe the texture at the beginning of the extract. (1)

6. The word ‘music’ is repeated twice at the beginning of the song. What is the musical interval between the first and second time? (1)

7. Describe the rhythm of the bass part. (1)

8. Name two continuo instruments heard in this extract. (2)

9. What is a ground bass? (2)

10. In which musical period was this music written? (1)

11. Identify the genre of this set work and give two features of this genre. (2)

19 -Henry Purcell: Music for a While (0.56-2.13)

1. Suggest a suitable word to describe the texture between the harpsichord and the voice part at the beginning of the extract. (1)

2. Which one of the following compositional devices is heard at the beginning of the extract? (1)

3. The extract starts in A minor. Identify the key and cadence at the end of the extract. (2)

4. Describe and explain how the composer sets the word eternal at the end of the extract. (4)

5. With the repetition of the word ‘eas’d’, how does the word setting/painting suggest the easing of pain? (2)

6. How does the music help to create an optimistic mood in the phrase ‘Till Alecto free the dead, till Alecto free the dead’. (2)

20 - Henry Purcell: Music for a While (2.08-2.48)

1. What type of voice is heard in the extract? (1)

2. Describe the melody of the harpsichord part at the beginning of the extract. (2)

3. Describe the harmony of the music when the singer sings the word snakes at the beginning of the extract. (1)

4. Which of the following statements is true of the relationship between the voice and the continuo part? (1)

5. Explain how the composer sets the repeated word drop. (4)

21 - Henry Purcell: Music for a While (2.12-3.26) *2018 EXAM*

1. Identify the structure of this song. (1)

A ground bass

B strophic

C theme and variations

D verse-chorus

2. Purcell creates a sense of drama by using word painting to set the word ‘drop’. Explain how Purcell achieves this through the use of melody and rhythm. (2)

3. Identify the cadence at the end of the phrase ‘whip from out her hands’. (1)

4. Name the melodic interval in the vocal line between ‘Music’ and ‘music’. (1)

5. Identify three features of this extract that are characteristic of the Baroque period by referring to the instrumentation, harmony, and melody. (3)

22 - Henry Purcell: Music for a While (2.48-4.01)

1. Name two instruments playing the continuo part in this extract. (2)

2. Which one of the following is heard in the vocal part at the end of the extract? (1)

3. What is the time signature of the extract? (1)

4. Which word best describes the vocals in this extract? (1)

5. Music for a While is a lament. Describe two features of a lament. (2)

6. Name the cadence used at the end of the first phrase. (1)

7. What changes has the singer made in this extract compared to when the same music was used at the start of the set work? (1)

8. How has the composer emphasis the importance of the word ‘all’ in this extract? (2)

9. How does the harpsichord player decorate the final chord?

10. What is the overall structure of this set work?