Yiri

Analysis

Overview

In the set work there are 3 clear strands or ideas.

1. The balaphone ostinati. (When layered together form a complex polyphonic texture.

2. The drum ostinati (1 bar repeated pattern)

3. The vocal line (Based on pentatonic scale with simple call and response structure)

Intro 0’00 – 0’:18

In free tempo High improvised balaphone solo Monophonic texture Trills or rolls on some notes. Establishes key of Gb

Section 1 (0’18 – 0’34)

Second balaphone joins mainly playing in octaves.

Strong rhythmic feel based on 2 bar phrase.

Heterophonic texture as Balaphone 2 plays a decorated version of balaphone 1

Section 2 (0’34 – 1’09)

3 Drums enter. Occasional djembe fills Melody includes syncopated rhythms

Section 4 Chorus A1

Voices enter in UNISON Melody short, no harmony.

Section 5 Instrumental Solo 1

Short solo balaphone break. Accompanied by ostinati on drums

Section 6 Chorus A2

Similar to A1

Section 7 Instrumental

Voices out. Solo on lower pitched balaphone.

Section 8 Call and Response Section 1

Dramatic new melody with long held notes and short punctuated notes.

Call enters first. Still accompanied by drums

Vocals now include triplet figures. Voices answer the call in unison at b63.

Section 9 Call 2

Balaphone now plays 3 note semiquaver

figure introducing cross rhythms. Rhythmically exciting with drum ostinati,

syncopated ideas, triplet rhythms..

Section 10 Response 2

Choir in UNISON

Section 11 Call 3

Solo voice with some varied balaphone rhythms in a solo break.

Section 12 Instrumental

Solos carry on. New ideas on balaphones. Three beat rest before…..

Section 13 Chorus B1

Full choir in unison singing ‘Yiri’ with short instrumental interjections to break up the vocals.

Section 14 Dialogue

Interplay between voices and instruments

Section 15 Instrumental

Instrumental based on riffs. More virtuosic – rapid passages

Section 16 Chorus A3

Full choir again

Section 17 Final Instrumental

Heavily syncopated. Drums re-enter just before coda.

Section 18 Coda

5 x 2-bar phrases in octaves. Dramatic rests. Strong riff Concludes with bell sound.

Important style notes.

Tempo is unvaried after it is first established. Regular beat throughout. Drum ostinati persists throughout. Dynamics are largely unvaried and changes

occur only through textural layering.