Sergey Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78: Fourth movement, Arise, ye Russian People [NAWM 188]
- cantata (film score)
- brief clamorous orchestral introduction establishes a mood of fervency with conflicting rhythmic pulses, orchestration that suggests trumpet calls and pealing church bells, and a harmonic clash between the winds and brass and strings
- modernism such as implied polytonality, double chromatic neighbors in the trumpets, and glissandos in the xylophone
- homorythmic choral writing with two lines: sopranos and tenors present melody, altos and basses provide a supportive counterpoint; orchestra reinforces accents in chorus; choral melody and harmony are diatonic
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Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, Op. 47: Second movement, Allegretto
- symphony
- scherzo
- Mahler’s influence can be heard in the orchestration, the jarring contrasts of mood, the occasionally satirical tone, and the use of counterpoint
- vigorous, rather awkward, and tonally ambiguous melody in the low strings at the beginning of the movement introduces a number of motives that will be incorporated in later thematic ideas, such as the rising scale and the repeated notes
- rowdy fanfare
- trio begins with elegant waltz played by a solo violin and accompanied by a harp and pizzicato cello
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