Blog Assignment 1 - Due Sep 5 2008 (Revised)

2008-09-07T17:23:00.020+08:00

Fig 1 Fig 2

Don't Cry for Me Argentina

Harmonic Analysis

The typical harmonic phrase model of T - PD - D - T can be observed in this short excerpt. This can be seen from bars 1-7, as shown above in the score. The harmony from bars 1-7 is analyzed as follows:

I - Ib - I - Ib - IVc - IV - IVc - IV - Vb - Vc - V7 - I

T --------------------- PD -------------- D ------------- T

This is the typical harmonic phrase that we have seen in class.

Following this, from bars 8-15, we get to hear the use of a tonic substitute (i.e. vi) in bars 9 and 10, which forms an interrupted cadence. This then brings us to a rather elaborate expansion of the dominant, in the form of tonicizations over bars 11-15, as shown below:

I - Ic - Vb - V - vi - V/V - V7d/V - Vb - V - Vc/V - Vb - V

T D ----------- (T) - D -------------------------------------------

From bar 16-23, we basically see a T - D - (T) - T harmonic phrase, without the PD to prepare the D. The progression is as follows:

I - V - vi - vic - Ib - I - IV

T D (T) ------ T ----------

For the above progression, I interpreted the chord IV as an elaboration of the tonic, and is used as a 'fake tonic/ ending'. This could be used to bring out the deception and lies that are depicted in the story (Evita) from where this song is extracted. It creates a feeling of dissonance (not in the music theory sense), more like a 'it's the end but something's not quite right' feel, which is really interesting.

Phrase Analysis

The phrase analysis will be presented in the score above. I hope that would be of some help. The phrase structures exhibits the use of both sentences and periods. At the same time, they exemplifies the tiered relationships that we have learnt in the first class.

Okay, that's it. Please feel free to comment!

Acknowledgements

Published by Music Plaza Pte Ltd, 1997

Title: Don't Cry for Me Argentina

Track from the movie "Evita"

Performed by Madonna

Composed by Tim Rice/ Andrew Lloyd Webber

Arranged by Jennifer Guai

OP: MCA Music Ltd

SP: EMI Music Publishing Singapore (A div of EMI Group Singapore PTE LTD)

Images were extracted from p.13-14 from the book ' Top of the Charts, Vol. 5' for this online assignment.

Blog Assignment 1 - Due Sep 5 2008

2008-09-05T00:55:00.001+08:00

Don't Cry for Me Argentina

Similar to the examples presented in the notes (Analyzing Pop Music - online lesson for 29 Aug 08), the T-PD-D-T harmonic phrase can be observed in the verse where 'I had to let it happen... staying out of the sun' is sung.

I - IVc - Vb-V7 - I

T - PD - D - T

The above harmonic phrase is then followed by the Vb - vi ('so i chose freedom'), which creates a further expansion of the T beyond the harmonic phrase above. This is also an instance of an interrupted cadence that can be found within the extract.

The harmony that follows are tonicizations of the dominant, i.e. G, and is laid out as follow:

V/V - V7d/V - Vb - Vc/V - V

D--------------------------------

by which I see as an expansion of the D with respect to C Major. The harmonic rhythm is relatively quicker here with the implied dominant and dominant one after the other, with each occupying one bar.

We can hear I - I - V - vi - Ib - IV7 following after the above tonicizations of the dominant, in the passage consisting the lyrics: 'Don't cry for me Argentina... Don't keep your distance'.

I - I - V - vi - Ib - IV7

T-----D--T------------

In the above phrase, although F7 chord was used, it did not come across as a chord IV of C major, instead it sounds like an expansion of the tonic.