CONCERTO FOR DOUBLE

STRING ORCHESTRA

Rhythm and Meter

CONTEXT

Neoclassicism was a period during the two wars where composers

drew on influences of the classical period such as economy , balance

and emotional restraint. This contrasts drastically to the late romantic

period where music was unrestrainedly emotional and could be

perceived as formlessness. This also contrasts to the long period of

exploration and musical rebellion of the previous 20 years.

TIME SIGNATURE

SYNCOPATION

The second orchestra play a syncopated pedal

• The D in the second half of bar 1

In the beginning Tippet uses lots of tied notes which confuse the

strong beats and emphasise the syncopation

• Bars 1-4

The tied note in the first bar adds syncopations. It is also an

implied rhythmical accent

RHYTHMICAL MOTIFS

The rhythm from bar 5 in the lower strings from the first orchestra

repeats through the movement

• For example it comes back in the second orchestra in bar 39.

The second orchestra plays a group of 5 staccato quavers

• This pattern from all the different instruments and al, the different orchestras.

In bar 8 the first orchestra play a syncopated rhythm which moves

to the second orchestra.

OTHER INTERESTING

RHYTHMICAL FEATURES

The two orchestras play different rhythms which interlock and

provide a thick layer of fast almost moto-perpetuo quaver figurations.

Tippet leaves footnotes to tell the players about interesting

rhythmical features he envisioned the piece to have.

At bar 87 the two orchestras play at different rhythms which

create a thick texture