Melody and harmony
Melody
The melody is mostly A series of pitches, ascending and descending in a set pattern. with many When a melody goes from a chord note, passes by step to a non-chord note, then moves to the next chord note by step, eg the notes C, E, D over the C chord. D is the passing note., which often form a descending shape, as in bar 5 when the word ‘for’ is sung. The frequent descending phrases add to the calming mood of the piece. The phrases are also unpredictable in length and don’t always finish at the same time as the A repeating bass pattern popular in Baroque music. The tool is also known as a bass ostinato. Purcell uses a A pattern of musical notes that are repeated moving up or down the scale. from bar 20 to 22 in the voice.
In bars 24 to 25, the lyric ‘drop’ is falling, which is sung an uneven nine number of times and is detached. This is an example of When the music replicates what it is wanting to portray, eg an ascending melody when the lyrics talk of mountains. - to represent snakes dropping from Alecto’s head.
An audio extract of the first three descending 'drop' lyrics
In bar 20, the lyric ‘eternal’ is a drawn-out Several notes sung to one syllable.. This is another example of word painting as it musically represents the definition.
The lyric 'eternal' is stretched over bar 19 and 20
As may be expected, in the Baroque period there is a lot of ornamentation. The harpsichord plays a A type of ornament. The performer plays the printed note, then the one below, then returns to the printed note. in bar 1, an An ornamental leaning note in which the ornament takes half the value of the note it proceeds. in bar 2 and a acciaccatura (grace note) in bar 7. The The highest adult singing voice sings a trill in bar 13.
Harmony and tonality
The overall tonality is A minor, modulating through E minor, G major and C major in the middle section before returning to A minor. There is use of Chromatic harmony uses notes from outside the key to colour the chords. in the A repeating bass pattern popular in Baroque music. The tool is also known as a bass ostinato. - the F# in bar 1 and the G# and C# in bar 2. The tonic minor key helps to create the mood of sorrow and calmness.
There is When at least one note conflicts with the harmony of the chord or key signature. in bar 12 where the E in the melody clashes with D in the bass line. This is another example of word painting - E clashes with D when the lyric “pains” is sung.
There are When a note that doesn't belong to the chord is held over from the previous chord, then falls to the note of the chord to 'resolve'. Eg an F falling to E whilst a C chord is played underneath and resolves. in bar 13. Each note sung on the word 'eas’d' is resolved by falling from a note that doesn’t belong to the chord to a note that does. This is another example of When the music replicates what it is wanting to portray, eg an ascending melody when the lyrics talk of mountains. and the resolving of dissonance.
There is a A piece in a minor key that finishes with the major tonic chord instead of the minor. in bar 23 - the right hand of the harpsichord plays a C# for the first time, which changes A minor into A major.
The minor to major chord change occurs in both the harpsichord and bass viol in bar 23
Two clashing chromatic notes heard very close together in separate parts. are also used, for example the F natural (in the harpsichord) and F# (bass viol) heard in bar 1.