Gershwin 'An American In Paris' Questions #2

1. The 'Walking Theme', however it is different here because it is not the centre of focus, but rather is played quietly on the oboe (pp) and the violins (p).
2. It involves a similar rhythm- the four semiquavers and two quavers (as in bar 90) is the same as the motif in bar 7, also the pattern of these, with the last note being a relatively large interval gap above the others, is similar in both cases (although the gap is a 5th in bar 89, and a 4th in bar 7).
3. The texture suddenly goes right down, so that none of the woodwind plays, and only the lower half of the strings play. This emphasises the melody.
4. It is played only by the viola, cello and horns in a low register, creating the feel of it being a mere memory. It ends in F minor however, creating tension.
5. "Second walking theme". It is similar to the bass clarinet at bar 70 and ?
6. Call-and-response between the clarinets and violins,
playing in unison (e.g flutes and oboes bar 126),
chromaticism (e.g. clarinets bar 125),
pedal note throughout in the cello part (bars 125-131),
walking bass in the double bass part (bars 125-)
imitation (e.g clarinets bars 125-128)
ostinato in 3rd and 4th horn parts (bars 132-135)
stretto of the taxi horns and the previous rhythm (found in e.g. bar 129)
7. It is played as a triad of B, with three of the four tubas.
8. It is in a different key (Bb) and now has a much broader texture behind it, with the instruments all playing loudly (either mf or f), increasing the impact of this.
9. The texture is dramatically reduced (to just the 1st & 2nd flutes, bassoons, 2nd violin, and the viola) for bars 166-169, then the clarinets, first violin and cello come in at bar 170, then the oboes, english horn and 1st and 2nd trumpets come in at bar 172, and finally the 1st and 2nd horns at bar 173. This very small texture to begin with, followed by a gradual build in texture creates an easy, calm feel. The fact that all the instruments play pianissimo and also dolce (for the most part) adds to this effect. Also the sudden tempo change (to molto menno mosso- very much less movement) means that we are put into a much calmer state.
10. The imitation- it acts like many voices talking at once, creating a commotion.
11. They are playing a melody very reminiscent of the first walking theme, although simply using the first bar of it and then repeating that in a different key, to transition to B.
12. Augmentation
13. Literally 'With fire', this is created by the ff dynamic and short rhythmic lengths (e.g. semiquavers, which predominate the melodies).