MUT 2203 Week 1 TIMBRE with musical examples (Lecture)

Tutor: Adeline Wong

Timbre refers to tone colour, another musical element that affects texture.

Timbre in tonal music often stresses ensemble blend and the coordination of timbral
changes with motives, phrases and formal divisions

Some points to consider:

1. Timbre can be divided into blended timbres which emphasize the textural
unity of a passage and contrasting timbres which separate the lines in a
texture.

In tonal music, a homogenous blend of timbres often stresses the blend of parts
that make up the functional harmonic structure. The string quartet, for instance,
is the model for much chamber music. In the mid and late 19 th century,
composers sought new and striking timbral combinations in chamber and
orchestral music.

Study #1
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder, (Songs of Death of a Child)
No. 1: Nun will die Sonn’ so hell aufgehn

• Look at the piano and voice score. Which instruments from the orchestra will
suit the mood of the song. Explain your choices.

Answer:

Piano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu-viq__EEQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ0hI9yLd6c

Orchestra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx1fv5q7Wiw
Study #1
2. New instrumental Techniques

Composers in the twentieth century have explored new registers, new timbres
and new playing techniques for all instruments.
Some timbral possibilities are:

Strings sul ponticello, glissandi, col legno, bartok snap

Wind and Brass key clicks, multiphonics, flutter toungue
Piano prepared piano, plucking, strumming inside piano
Voice Sprechstimme (spoken singing in German)

Study #2
Schoenberg: Moondrunk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQVkbKULKpI

Study #2B
Cowell: Aeolian Harp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L10DlNK-6Io
Study #2B
3. Composers also explore new registers, new timbres for solo instruments.
For example, the bassoon use of the uppermost register in the Rite of Spring
by Stravinsky.

Study #3
Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_7loz-HWUM

Comment on the use of flute in the opening of this work. What are your
observations?

Answer:
Study #3
4. Klangfarbenmelodie – melody of tone colours
This type of instrumentation appears in many 20 th century compositions.
Schoenberg coined the term.
Klang = sonority or tone; Farben = colours; Melodie = melody

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OceD--RLlxY

Study #4
Webern: Concerto for Nine Instruments, Op. 24 second movement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVQambrIKNo (2:31)

How is the melodic line treated here?

Answer:
Study #4
5. The rise of percussion
Study #5
Bartok: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, 3rd movement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bro-ofOxVM

Discuss the sound and role of the percussion in this work. How does it
compare to the rest of the instruments?

Answer:

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlYJlAWriaI