Rhythm and Tonality in Music Analysis

Rhythm, Metre, and Tempo

• The song has many tempo changes, important to its structure.
• The song slows down at the end.
• Frequent use of syncopation.
• The intro is in 3/2 time, then changes to 2/2, then 4/4.
• Tempo slows down (rallentandos) in specific sections, especially at the end.
• Dotted rhythms and triplets are employed.
• Rhythms mostly crotchets and quavers, but some longer notes.
• Rests break up phrases and often start phrases.

Tonality

• Primarily in D major.
• Initially ambiguous tonality, with unrelated chord sequences and chromatic movement.
• Briefly modulates to B major (bar 20), F major (bar 22), before returning to D major.
• "Unlimited" section in G major, then returns to D major.
• Chromatic melody returns in an andante section ("well, are you coming?").
• Final section in B minor before ending on a D major chord.

Structure and Tempo

• Verse-chorus form, but divided into multiple sections based on tempo and mood.
• Bars 1-19: Free tempo (almost like a recitative).
• Bars 20-33: Andante ("you can still be with the wizard").
• Bars 34-48: Andante - verse 1 ("something has changed").
• Multiple sections: Allegro - Chorus, verse 2, chorus 2, Moderato, Allegro, Andante, Allegro.
• Climax in bars 129-161 (allegro), followed by andante to maestoso outro.

Melody

• Syllabic word setting.
• Wide range melody (high and low).
• Mostly stepwise (conjunct) movement, with some leaps.
• Verse and chorus combine stepwise and larger leaps (disjunct).
• Clear, understandable word setting due to syllabic style and natural rhythms.
• A vocalization ("Aah") at the end of the song.
• Some significant leaps, including perfect fifths.

Harmony

• Introduction uses unrelated chords.
• Most chords are in simple root position.
• Dissonance is used sometimes.
• Pedal note at the end (bar 168).

Texture

• Primarily homophonic (melody and accompaniment).
• Sparse texture in the intro (chord stabs in orchestra).
• Monophonic sections.
• Elphaba and Glinda sometimes sing together (unison or in harmony).
• Outro is polyphonic (multiple independent musical ideas).
• Ostinato accompaniment (bar 88).
• Homophonic chordal textures in orchestra (bar 132).

Instruments/Sonority

• Duet for Elphaba & Glinda, initially high and low vocal range.
• Combination of spoken/sung lines.
• Large orchestra, 3 keyboards, drums, electric guitars.
• Big range of instruments; woodwinds, strings (including harp), brass, percussion (drums, tubular bells, timpani).
• Synthesizers and glockenspiels for "magical" sounds.
• Significant rhythmic momentum from drum kit (hi-hat, cymbal roll).
• Strings sometimes use tremolo for tension.

Background Information

• Song from the musical "Wicked."
• Characters & ideas from "The Wizard of Oz".
• Written & first performed in 2003.
• Musical theatre genre, featuring songs, dialogue, acting, and dance.
• Composed by Stephen Schwartz.
• Finale song in Act 1, about Elphaba's rejection of the "Wizard".