Look in the Mythic Mirror

Structural Analysis: Gluck's "Dance of the Blessed Spirit" from Orpheus and Eurydice

Analysis of Form:

Total time: 7:23 (7 minutes, 23 seconds)
Rhythmic movement is a slow minuet (1-2-3, 1-2-3)

This work divides itself into three sections. The first section (identified as a capital A) lasts for about 2.5 minutes (56 measures), but can be further divided into smaller sections (identified as lower case a and b). Each of these smaller sections is repeated and can be identified by melody and instrumentation. The a section is a slow, sweet 8-measure melody played by strings, with flutes either in unison (playing the same notes) or harmony. The bass line (played by cellos and string basses) is in constant, steady motion underneath. The b section is a 12-measure melody that rises in pitch and crescendos (gets louder) before returning to the original a section.

Listen to the music and see if you can hear the form outlined below for the initial 2.5 minutes of "Dance of the Blessed Spirit."

A: a | a | b | a | b | a

The second section of music (identified as capital B) is also a minuet, but the slower tempo makes it harder to feel a steady beat. B lasts about 3.5 minutes. The melody is carried by a solo flute throughout the B section. The strings play a complex rhythm and broken chord figures (arpeggios). The tonality (key) has changed from major to minor. The B section is 36 measures long, with four 8-measure phrases (melodies that seem complete, like a sentence), a 4-measure coda (ending) and a solo flute that brings the music back to A again. Try to follow the B section outlined below:

B:
c (8-measure phrase)
d (8-measure phrase)
e (8-measure phrase)
f (8-measure phrase) |
g (4-measure coda)
slow turn in flute

The piece finishes with a return to the A section , shortened as outlined below:

A: a | b | a

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