Favorite Numbers with Counterpoint - Page 2

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 1/6/15 at 10:38pm

In addition to "Prima Donna," Phantom has other contrapuntal pieces. The song in the cemetery has two or three melodies, depending on whether Raoul joins in early (as in the West End) or later in the song (as on Broadway, except since Norm Lewis has been playing the Phantom.) Additionally, the final lair scene has a contrapuntal section, where Raoul is asking for Christine's forgiveness (for what reason, I've never figured out -- maybe for failing to rescue her) and Christine is singing that the Phantom is her false friend and fallen idol. Since my brain is currently fried, I can't remember whether the Phantom is singing at the same time -- I think he is.

Audrey

[peerrjb]

Posted: 1/7/15 at 1:49am

What you're describing is a QUODLIBET. Meaning TWO DIFFERENT tunes on top of each other, making musical-luv. Lots of songs have phrases of melody riding on top of each other, but that's not the deal you're discussing, right? And semi-contrapuntal melodics aren't really that either... As an arranger, we often just call them "Countermelodies". Like in "Pajama Game" when the tape recorder sings counter to Sid's "Hey There". A tune like "Fugue for Tinhorns" isn't that. either. It's a classic Fugue, (the same melody on top of itself in more than one part) like from Bach and Telemann and all those other dead guys. "You're Not Sick" IS one, "Old Fashioned Wedding" is too... Irving LOOOVVVVVED them. There's some WONDERFUL quodlibet stuff in the original CANDIDE ("Life Is Wonderful Indeed"...) but it's become kinda cutesy to include the gimmick as a main melody. I must say that, dramatically-silly-and-fun as it is, IN PERFORMANCE the "I'm Sancho..." stuff on top of "I am I, Don Quixote"... is still a guilty-pleasure favorite of the style!