Madelyn Roberts

Music 1010

Rhapsody in Blue Listening Guide

0:00 - An upward scale trill by clarinet leading into the piece.

0:07 - Similar note, blues scale played by the clarinet
0:15 - Alternating rising fourths and rising thirds are played by trumpet to lead
into the main theme.
0:29 - seventh and third notes create a closing idea to end the section
0:34 - Whole orchestra begins to join in, Solo piano piece introducing riff on rise
to a Blue note.
0:43 - French horns and woodwinds introduced. Clarinet trill is repeated, muted
Trumpet plays main theme.
1:17 - Upward scale to theme followed by elongated piano solo. Crescendo of
rushing notes begins afterward.
2:08 - Main theme is interrupted by piano soloist playing ascending rapidly,
followed by tranquil interlude which then returns to theme as played in the
beginning.
2:43 - First major climax of the piece is played as the entire orchestra strikes up
to fortissimo
3:00 - Crescendo is played by Trombone and trumpets leading into main theme.
3:14 - Orchestra strikes up to play a more energetic tone laid over the main
theme which is played by piano.
3:43 - Quick tempo jazz theme is played by the trumpet ending on a high F, then
repeated ending on a low F. Continued by dragging trombone sound.
3:55 - Upward overlapping scale followed by main theme
4:10 - Blues March repeats itself several times increasing in tempo and volume

each consecutive repetition.

5:00 - Pentatonic fragment leads into blues march again. This is repeated until
the speed has increased as much to represent a speeding train-like sound.
6:03 - Extended Piano solo begins consisting of a varied repeated note scale.
Accompanied by horn.
6:11 - Piano solo continues but returns to main theme of the piece.
7:46 - Tempo increases as well as volume in a jump from piano to Fortissimo
7:56 - Horns come in introduced by piano interlude
8:25 - Trill played by piano is played twice then leads into climax of the piano solo
8:39 - Piano solo continues with Latin twist played by the left hand which ends
on a high C Natural
9:32 - A tempo played in agitated manner by solo piano.
10:10 - Piano solo reaches end with ascending to descending arch scale starting
at a low A t and ending with a high E sharp which is then followed by repeating
triplet notes played in a descending scale.
10:17 - Quiet interlude bridging from main theme to the next part of the piece
ensues ending on a lovely firmata.
10:38 - Woodwinds and strings enter at moderate tempo giving the piece a
romantic aura. This Aura of the piece makes the section seem almost exempt
from the rest of the song entirely. This part of the song lifts the piece entirely
because it is entirely unexpected. This section of the song alone actually
continued to have a life outside the rhapsody as well. (It was used as Paul
Whitemans orchestras signature melody. United airlines has used it for
advertising as well.)
11:25 - Violin solo is played over the rest of the orchestra
11:42 - Song- like melody comes in at forte from the orchestra which builds upon
itself still playing romantic piece which is then take over by piano.
11:54 - Orchestra begins to pick up at fortissimo playing at a tempo and
somewhat returning to the original theme.
13:43 - Soloist interrupts broad, romantic tune with a cadenza, featuring a flurry
of hammered notes which is then repeated and built on itself. This brings the

piece back to the original Latin toned theme from the beginning.
14:30 - Orchestra takes up tune which builds to a climax on a sharp dissonance
14:54 - Orchestra builds up to another climax on a note riff
15:00 - Finale begins from entire orchestra
15:06 - Climax is reached with emphasis on the horn section. Which is then
reciprocated by entire orchestra.
15:40 -Conclusion begins starting at fortissimo playing an ascending scale with
rapidity followed by the same triplet notes heard throughout the entire song. The
conclusion continues when finally a ritard ensues at the third to last measure
ending, finally on a diminished 7th and a Blue note riff.