F.1 Meter

What is tempo?

• The speed at which a piece of music should be played

• variations in LOUDNESS of a musical composition

Answer explanation

The speed at which a piece of music should be played

Excerpt 1 (Handel - Largo from the opera Serse https://youtu.be/uMlxM69ZJFA)

Q1. Why does the music use the tempo Largo?

• It is played on solemn occasions (e.g. funerals and weddings)

• It's the party music

Answer explanation

[p. 1] 1. Why does the music use the tempo Largo?

Answer: It is played on solemn occasions (e.g. funerals and weddings)

Excerpt 2 (Edvard Grieg - In the Hall of the Mountain King https://youtu.be/kLp_Hh6DKWc):

Q2: Apart from the dynamic marking (e.g. with a gradual increase in loudness), how does the tempo convey this feeling?

• a gradual decrease in tempo

• a gradual increase in tempo

Answer explanation

[p. 1] 2. Apart from the dynamic marking (e.g. a gradual increase in loudness), how does the tempo convey this feeling?

Answer: The music begins slowly and gradually increases in tempo throughout the piece until at the end.

Excerpt 3: Saint-Saëns - Carnival Of Animals (IV. Tortoises https://youtu.be/k2RPKMJmSp0?t=329):

Q3. Describe the tempo at the end of this excerpt using the above tempo marking.

• accelerando

• ritardando

Answer explanation

[p. 2] 4. Why does the music use this tempo marking?

Answer: After dancing, Tortoises get tired and slow down

Excerpt 3: Saint-Saëns - Carnival Of Animals (VI. Kangaroos):

Q5. Describe the tempo at the beginning of this excerpt using the above tempo marking.

• accelerando & ritardando

• accelerando

• ritardando

Q6. Why does the music use tempo changes?

• It resembles the hopping kangaroo

• It resembles the sleeping kangaroo

Answer explanation

6. Why does the music use tempo changes?

Answer: It resembles the hopping kangaroo

Excerpt 4: Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 23 "Appassionata", III. Allegro ma non troppo – Presto https://youtu.be/QImFm4Y_QPM?t=1054

7. Describe the tempo of this excerpt using the above tempo markings.

• from Allegro to Andante

• from Allegro to Presto

Answer explanation

Q8. Why does the music use tempo changes?

Answer: Express the stormy emotion

Excerpt 5: Vittorio Monti - Csárdás:

Q9. Describe the tempo of this excerpt using the above tempo markings.

• Largo to Andante

• Largo to Adagio

• Largo to Allegro

Answer explanation

Q10. Why does the music use tempo changes?

Answer: The csárdás (Hungarian folk dance) is characterized by a variation in tempo. It helps to change characters.