VIVA VOCE

FOCUS QUESTION: Analyse the piece River Flows in You by

Yiruma in relation to the concepts of music.
Duration
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4/4 time signature (4 crotchets in a bar)

Tempo is changing throughout the piece (to portray emotion)
Example (EXAMPLE Start of chorus to octave drop)
The speech change shows emotion. Slow is sad, fast is excited
and happy. Starts with rubato, an adjustment of tempo for
expressive purposes (EXAMPLE intro). Gives more natural sound
Throughout the entire piece, ostinato is used, with parts being
slightly modified (EXAMPLE B right hand)
A consistent ostinato is the bass (EXAMPLE left hand
progression). It acts as a foundation for the other sounds to
revolve around. It also assists in making the division between
sections more obvious.

Texture
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Is a homophonic piece, melody and accompaniment.

Generally sparse in activity except B. (EXAMPLE chorus)
The right hand plays the melody while the left hand plays the
bass, both played quite differently, with the melody being soft
and light, and the bass heavy and resonating (EXAMPLE intro
and B), creating contrast
Dynamics and Expressive Techniques
- Volume fluctuations are generally gradual (EXAMPLE A) however;
some are quite sudden (EXAMPLE intro).
- Also portray emotion, with loud representing determined while
soft represents a more withdrawed, relaxed mood.
- Pauses and mordents within (EXAMPLE intro, A, B).
- Increases tension created by the contrast.
- Legato is used to create a smooth flowing sound that expresses
the emotion of the piece. Helps elicit emotion
Pitch
- A major, conjunct intervals (small steps) (EXAMPLE A)
- Regular, predictable.
- Left hand, ostinato bass primarily same. Right hand is in the
mid/upper register.
- Piece climaxes in B, where the pitch is the highest. (EXAMPLE B)
After the climax, the pitch generally gets lower. (EXAMPLE A2)
Tone Colour
- Sound is hollow, acoustic and resonant as written for piano
- Legato gives a smooth, emotional feeling.
The role of the sound is melodic, and is created through
articulation and dynamics (EXAMPLE A).
- This articulation creates a warm, flowing, resonant sound
through its smooth, flowing playing style.
- In addition, it also shows the similarities between sections, as a
similar style is used (EXAMPLE intro/A).
Structure
- 5 distinct sections intro, A, B, C and coda/ending.
- A and B are repeated multiple times with slight variations and
development (EXAMPLE B, with and without mordent).
- The theme is introduced in A (EXAMPLE A)

MIGUEL RAMIREZ

VIVA VOCE
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Having this overarching theme works similarly to the ostinato

bass, in that it provides a foundation where the sound develops
around. This is to highlight changes and variations in the piece.

MIGUEL RAMIREZ