|  Page 76 CD Set, Disc 1
1-5
     Smetana, Overture to The Bartered Bride
     6 min. 23 sec.
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  [Play]   Opening outburst and f Loud (f) "wake-up" passage played by the full orchestra,
  [Play]   Build-up  subito p  followed by rushing, rustling strings, interrupted several times by a "spurting" effect (tak-i-TAK . . .)
    The interruptions are played by stringed instruments. Tak-i-TAK is a motive, a short rhythmic figure used many times and developed during the composition.
Tension builds
    The dynamics are changing from soft (piano) to loud (forte); the term for increasing dynamics is crescendo. On this chart, dynamics are noted systematically for each segment of music.
  [Play]   Polka f   Fragment of a Polka
  [Play]     p   A similar fragment comes several more times, more quietly Another shorter fragment is played four times at different levels
    A passage played at several different levels is called a sequence.
  [Play]     f   At last the Polka appears extended to its full length
Continuations lead to a big cadence
  [Play]   Closing Outburst f   As at the beginning - but now the music sounds cadential.
    Cadence is the term for a stopping place in music.
  [Play]   Slowdown:      
  [Play]   New, Slower Melody p   A new melody is begun by a wind instrument -an oboe
    The melody falls into segments, called phrases.
  [Play]   Interruption: Return to     Fast timpani strokes, leading to the outburst as at the
      the Opening Outburst; f   beginning (though it starts with wind instruments only). The
      New Build-up p   rushing string figure follows, with different interruptions by the themeŃcloser together, new instruments, different levels
    In order, we hear the theme in the violas, clarinet, flutes, and other instruments. The texture is polyphonic (many melodies sounding at once).
  [Play]         Smetana mixes it up--bits of the outburst, the Polka, and new material
  [Play]   Polka ff   Polka in its extended form, louder than ever; trumpets play
New continuations, with rhythmic figure ta-ki ta-ki ta-ki TAK
  [Play]   Closing Outburst ff  

    We've now twice heard the series Opening Outburst - Build-up - Polka - Closing Outburst, though with interesting differences. This is an experience of musical form.
  [Play]   Stop: Distant Echoes pp   Quiet Polka fragments come at mysterious different levels
    The different levels are different keys. Changing keys is called modulation.
  [Play]   Final Rush     A timpani roll, rushing strings, crescendo
  [Play]     pp   Another Polka fragment, with some new harmonies
  [Play]           One (not quite) final appearance of the outburst
Final cadence
| [Stop]   [Eject]
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