Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide
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Questions and Answers

Who composed 'The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra'?

Benjamin Britten

On what tune is Britten's piece based?

The Dance in Rondeau form from 'Abdelazar, The Moor's Revenge'

Who was the composer of Rondeau? What are his dates?

Henry Purcell, 1659-1695

What is the form of the original tune by Henry Purcell? Show design with letters as shown in class.

<p>The form is Rondeau: ||:A:||B||A||C||A||</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the name and subtitle of the composition Benjamin Britten wrote based on the Henry Purcell tune?

<p>'The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra' (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When did Benjamin Britten write this piece?

<p>1946</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the overall form of the Britten piece called?

<p>Theme and Variation</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many sections does the Theme of this piece have? List what those sections are according to instrumentation.

<p>It has 6 sections: 1) Entire Orchestra, 2) Woodwinds, 3) Brass, 4) Strings, 5) Percussion, 6) Entire Orchestra</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would you characterize the theme of this piece?

<p>Stately, regal, solemn</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the meter of the opening statement of the theme?

<p>The meter is simple triple meter</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of meters do we hear in the Variations section?

<p>Simple duple, Simple quadruple, Compound</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the mode of the theme melody at the beginning? Major or Minor?

<p>Minor</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the predominant texture at the beginning (i.e., the Theme section)?

<p>Homophonic</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the texture in section III. Fugue?

<p>Polyphonic</p> Signup and view all the answers

What changes does Britten implement in the Theme section of his piece? (5 points)

<p>Change of Tone Color, Change of Mode, Change of Key, Fragmentation of Theme, Rhythmic Alteration of Theme, Change in Dynamics</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many phrases does the Theme have?

<p>Four Two Bar Phrases</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the melodic contour of the first phrase of the Theme?

<p>Arch shape</p> Signup and view all the answers

On what organizational/structuring principle is Britten's composition based?

<p>Around the structure of the orchestra with its four families of instruments</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the main sections of this piece called?

<p>Theme, Variations, Fugue</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many variations are there in the Variations section?

<p>13 Variations</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are the variations organized?

<p>Are organized according to the families of instruments: Woodwinds, Strings, Brass, Percussion, Their individual members from highest to lowest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do sections 2 variations and 3 Fugue have in common? Explain.

<p>They both follow the same order of family of instruments and individual instruments from highest to lowest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do variations 1, 3, 4, and 5 have in common? Name at least three characteristics.

<p>They are all upbeat in mood, humorous, playful, all in major mode, 1 and 3 use fragmentation and diminution, faster tempos, 3 and 5 are dances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do Variations 2, 4, 6, and 7 have in common? Name at least three characteristics.

<p>All have slow tempo, use augmentation, intervallic alteration of the original melody, sombre in mood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Variations Section, what kinds of changes does Britten make in the original melody to achieve variety? Name at least 10 techniques he employs.

<p>Diminution, Augmentation, Inversion, Change of tempo, Change of meter, Changing the key, Retrograde, Countermelodies, Change of mood, Changing the mode from minor to major, Change in dynamics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Benjamin Britten

  • Composer of "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra."
  • Wrote the piece in 1946, inspired by a theme from Henry Purcell.

Purcell and the Rondeau

  • Purcell, an English composer active during 1659-1695, created the original Rondeau used in Britten's work.
  • The Rondeau form consists of a repeating structure: ||:A:||B||A||C||A||.

Composition Details

  • "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" is formally known as Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell.
  • The composition features a theme followed by 13 variations and culminates in a fugue.

Structure of the Piece

  • The thematic section includes a statement presented by the entire orchestra followed by individual sections for woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion.
  • Opening theme characterized by a stately, regal, and solemn mood, set in a simple triple meter.

Texture and Mode

  • The predominant texture at the beginning is homophonic, contrasting with the polyphonic texture in the fugue section.
  • The initial theme is in a minor mode, establishing a darker tonality.

Changes in Variations

  • Variations incorporate various techniques such as:
    • Diminution (making notes shorter)
    • Augmentation (making notes longer)
    • Inversion (flipping melodies)
    • Change of dynamics and meter
  • Variations feature different meters, such as simple duple, simple quadruple, and compound.

Melodic and Rhythmic Structure

  • The theme comprises four two-bar phrases, with the first phrase exhibiting an arch shape in melodic contour.
  • Sections are organized based on orchestral families, with variations sequentially introducing individual instruments from highest to lowest.

Characterization of Variations

  • Variations 1, 3, 4, and 5 are upbeat, major in mode, and often humorous, while variations 2, 4, 6, and 7 maintain a slow tempo and somber mood.
  • Techniques to enhance variety include retrograde (reversing melodies), counterpoint, and intervals alterations.

Overall Concept and Educational Purpose

  • The piece serves as an educational tool, introducing audiences to various instruments and their families within the orchestra.
  • Emphasizes the unique sound colors of each section while maintaining thematic coherence throughout the variations.

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Description

Explore Benjamin Britten's famous composition 'The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra,' based on a theme by Henry Purcell. This quiz covers the composition's structure, variations, and its historical context, focusing on the interplay of orchestral sections. Test your knowledge on the thematic development and the unique attributes of this renowned piece.

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