The opening G-D-Db motif has been used significantly in Mars. It is first heard in the opening section. The music slowly starts to unfold with this rising 5th followed by a falling semitone motif. Climax is created by the G-D-Db in the following ways:
- Introduction of more instruments (especially brass), which leads to the thickening of the texture
- Gradual shift from the lower register to the higher register
- Added harmony to G-D-Db
- Increasing dynamics
- Greater elaboration and extension in length to the initial G-D-Db motif
After much listening, I find that these are the salient features of Mars, which are derived from the opening melodic motif.
- Interval of the 4th / 5th (which is used melodically / harmonically)
- Semitone idea
1 comment:
Yes, you've correctly identified the salient 3-note motive. Now, drawing upon the motivic analyses we did in class of the vocal pieces by Ravel, Berg and Schoenberg as well as Schoenberg's "Farben", you should be able to add to your observations here.
On a different front, I think you can try to outline the overall structure of this piece (using alphabet letters to denote sections) to let us have a better sense of where we are in the piece in terms of structural locations, apart from knowing it in terms of timing. Of course, as you examine the music more closely, you may modify/amend your initial interpretation of the form.
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