Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Berg, "Schliesse mir die Augen beide"

Youtube has the 1925 setting.

Rhythm + Form:
The first 4 bars though in 5-4, form the usual short-short-long structure(is that called a sentence?)

From Bar 5, the vocal part is then phrased in groups of 8 quavers(3 sets), with the last set serving as an overlap(ending phrase + reprise).

Ending 2 phrases are re-extended to the 5-4 meter, perhaps to serve as closure?

Is there any asymmetrical effect for the piano right hand to break away from the 8 quaver groupings? Only leaving the left hand in the same hypermeter as the vocals?