Compare and contrast the methods of treating thematic material on the part of Goldsmith in Planet of the Apes and Bernstein in On the Waterfront.

The first 200 words of this essay...

10.01.2004

Compare and contrast the methods of treating thematic material on the part of Goldsmith in Planet of the Apes and Bernstein in On the Waterfront.

The main theme in on the Waterfront is far more memorable than the themes in Planet of the Apes, as Planet of the Apes relies more on a rhythmic energy than on melody. However, despite the different style of themes used, similar compositional techniques are employed.

On the Waterfront begins with a theme based on the blues scale in the horns. At bar 7, it is treated in fugue by the flutes (in octaves) and trombone and then repeated but altered by trumpets from bars 13 to 18 with the clarinets ending it at bar 20. In the first 20 bars, fugue, changes of instrumentation and repetition have been used.

Next a more rhythmic orientated theme is introduced involving the timps, piano and other percussion playing quaver based ostinatoes. At bar 42, the alto sax solos over the ostinatoes using semitones and perfect fourths. At bar 54, the wood wind repeat the theme but the note values have been diminished.

At bar