Music Interpretation

As as much of the story is told through the musical score of the piece as well as the narrative I decided to listen to the entire performance and analyse what I felt the music meant. I have attached the chart that I drew up accordingly to record my findings. The music is beautiful and gives a lovely fluidity to the whole piece which I feel is crucial to also incorporate into my designs. This is particularly relevant to set as the fluidity of the music will need to be replocated in the set design to allow the scenes to be changes seamlessly.

Reflection: Performing this task of analysing the music has really enabled me to understand Stravinskys choices in intruments and how they are used to personify both the Soldier and Devil in different instances. There is a whole new level of meaning written into the music, most importantly demonstrating the hold the Devil has over the Soldier and the presence of the Soldiers soul. It also depicts the types of landscapes/terrain, the Soldier's emotions and the popular music of the day, so loved by the Princess that it rouses her from her terrible illness I can now interpret the story far better by understanding Stravinsky's musical choices. From doing this I also feel it will be beneficial to listen to the music and story regularly; when working on the project but also when reading the script as the music is so integral to the story.

 

Title of piece of music	My Interpretation	Storyline (Narrative)
PART 1 Intro	Upbeat, happy, defiant	Travelling home for ten days leave, takes a rest Complaining about life as a soldier Worth noting Lucky silver medal – St. Joseph Kit bag – contents - portrait of gf - 'battered violin'
Airs by a stream	Choppy, positive, sense of urgency clarinet – meandering, spring like. Bass undertones suggest lengthy journey Agitation	Intro of Devil very persuasive. Soldier naïve Book given forecasts finances Devil can't play violin and coaxes soldier to give up 2 days to teach him Devil – suggestive '2 perfect days' black carriage with flying back horses (fairy tale like) Dropped back nothing has altered
Soldiers March	Music as in initial march but percussion is present representing the Devil	March-travelling tired but wants to maximise time at home Realises 3 years have been stolen from him and family etc. have assumed him dead despair and anger at his foolishness “all is lost”
Music for scene 2 (pastoral)	Wind instruments sound sad/ drifting “soul” re-enters Bleak/ depressing atmosphere Diff. Perspective 'buy everything' – epiphany that things=sadness	Devil advises use of book to 'prove he's a soldier' he gives orders for him to obey Costume change - Soldier figures book and begins to make money by selling commodities
Airs by a Stream (reprise)	As before	Imagery – simple happiness through experiences Soldier has nothing – he realises Devil's intentions Soldier desires life- he appears dead Devil – disguised – appears with chest full of things Of all his things Soldier desires violin
PART 2 Soldier's March (reprise)	Percussion involved – his soul and Devil are entwined	Soldier marching but this time to an unknown place Money given away – as he was before Crosses into another country and finds an Inn Hears of the Kings ill daughter princess Wendolyn He and a fellow soldier get drunk and he is convinced to try and cure her Marches to guarded Palace gates
The Royal March	New mood – sense of hope, feels disjointed Plodding Drums add a Regal feel and determination	King makes him an appointment Soldier desires a wife Devil – in front of him in queue and claims he has won convincing the soldier that he the devil will win the trump card Soldier theories that if he loses his money to the Devil the Devil will lose his control over him and he regains it. Devil is very self assured – as if he knows the final fate and his eternal presence in the Soldiers brain Soldier regains his violin and plays over the Devil
The Little Concert	Slightly witchy/ magical Beauty and the beast Weaving/ meddling Soul clearly heard	Princess is in bed but is awaken and 'possessed' by fiddle
Tango	Seductive Soul dancing Violin is loud defiant over the bass (soul over witchery)
Valse	Mischievous Intent of Devil is clear with the beat beneath Devil is fighting his ground
Ragtime	Percussion/Devil is evident Disjointed bass beneath drums signal his entrance	Devil sees the Soldiers happiness and interrupts
Devil's dance	Dramatic
Devils Song	Lyrics – show his deep need for vengeance
Great Choral	Slightly melancholic Defiance, malice, soul trapped, confinement Battle march drums continue reiterating the present war	Soldier has reached contentment Decides to pay home a visit DEVIL WINS – coaxes the Soldier to Hell The Devil ultimately has the last word