How many times have we heard the words “it was the way you said it”? Tone is very powerful. It is through exploring the timbre of Ode To The Yellow River and the Overture of Exogenesis that will find our most noticeable contrast between the two pieces.
Ode To the Yellow River has a rich timbre. The loud dynamics in many parts add to the passion of the piece. There is a richness to the piano part with it’s complex chords in both the left and right hands. The many crescendos and decrescendos create the swell and release of emotion throughout the piece. The composition stimulates feeling of happiness, joy, warmth, and compassion.
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| Ode To The Yellow River: Wide Use of Dynamics - Crescendo to Forte |
There is a simple timbre in the Overture of Exogenesis. There are barely any dynamic changes. Lack of dynamics give the piece a eerie sound. Much of the melody is monotone - repeating the A note over and over again. This unvaried note creates feelings of loneliness and mystery throughout the piece.
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| Exogenesis: Example of monotone melody |
Additionally, Exogenesis uses dissonance often in the composition. The song is full of diminished triads but the most disturbing sounds are produced by using an augmented fourth interval in the electric guitar voice. The augmented fourth is ugly and disturbing. In measure 77 all of the voice playing produce the augmented fourth. The natural A is in the vocal melody and is placed against D sharp in the violin, viola, and cello voices. This dissonance lasts for two measures before it resolves.
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| The Overture in Exogenesis: Example of Augmented 4th |
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| Exogenesis: Augmented 4th and Dissonance |
Even though Ode To The Yellow River and Exogenesis have many similarities, the difference in timbre is glaring and sets these compositions worlds apart.
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