Excerpt+23

Track 23: Mussorskgy/Ravel; ‘Hit of Babayaga’ (1:34) A great deal of energy and power is created within this piece. How it it achieved?

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David Soo

The piece is very powerful right from the outset by beginning with a sharp, glottal attack in the lower strings and the brass by performing the major 7th interval. They perform this motif over a variety of rhythms, both ascending and descending. This immediately emphasises the rather chaotic and busy nature of the work.
 * The brass then play a powerful ostinato which makes the piece sound regal through the (ta ta I ta tim-kaI ta ta I ta). The dotted rhythms is reminiscent of most baroque pieces and classical works. This propels a sense of forward momentum aside from the constant semiquaver runs provided by the other instruments.
 * The energetic nature is further emphasised by the syncopated rhythms and the flurries of semiquaver runs. Rhythm is driving and very clear.
 * The orchestra is very large, and the ensemble is used to great effect. The brass in particular adds to the powerful character of the work by continually performing accents in the opening motif and throughout various key points throughout the work, such as the dotted rhythm.
 * Furthermore, there is a very large percussion section which contributes to the accents which we hear throughout the piece. This is complemented by the large, sudden and short swells given before the note too
 * Most of the instruments perform very high in the register and contributes to the high-energy levels in the piece.

The piece gets its feeling of energy and power through the treatment of many of the elements of music. The piece commences clearly in a simple quadruple time signature. A solid tempo is sustained and helps the piece to drive along steadily. The point at which the entire orchestra swells in volume is complimented by a slight acceleration in tempo. The opening commences with a major 7th interval which later becomes a motive in the excerpt and this emphasises the energetic, chaotic feel. The instruments, notably the strings play in their lower register for a muddier sound to be achieved. This also allows for a thick and heavy texture although only one melodic idea is sounded. The instruments that play this motive use accents and choppy articulations. In the following phrase, they keep this powerful, articulated effect by similarly using accents. The strings in particular are using ‘retake’ bowing for a harsher and more direct note attack. The rhythms in the excerpt are paramount in contributing to the energetic feel. The rhythms are sometimes syncopated and consist of many semiquaver flurries. The rhythm “semiquaver – dotted quaver” (notate) is used on several occasions, mainly in the brass. This propels a sense of forward motion. Overall, the rhythm is clear and driving. The ensemble used and dynamics on the other hand contribute more to the feeling of power. In the introduction, the entire ensemble swells from a soft to loud volume. In the excerpt, many orchestral unisons exist so that a large ensemble is heard playing a single idea more clearly and powerfully. The orchestra is bulky, including the powerful cymbals and timpani in the percussion section. The brass have a prominent role and add to the thick, chaotic texture overall. The less powerful instruments such as the woodwinds contribute to an overall feeling of power by using the extremities of their range. The comparison of these different instrumental techniques contributes to the excerpt’s consistent liveliness. //**Response by Leighton H. Triplow, 2010**//
 * Leighton H. Triplow**