|
This table shows that the Anthem (A) appears 13 times in the course of the piece. This is quite a high motivic level and is offset by the varied orchestration of the anthem. The 'B' theme occurs only in the first night section and the 'C' theme (or Accompanimental Motive) is often used a pivot between sections. It should be noted that 'A' is 'accompanied' by 'C' and that the sections marked 'C' indicate where it appears, featured by itself only.
The key structure as shown above highlights that the piece starts and ends in E major. The arrival of 'Dawn' is supported by the modulation to F major which gives the key a slight lift and this stays right through the day section. When 'Sunset' arrives, the key moves one flat further around the harmonic cycle and this takes it to Bb major which is the furthest tonal distance away from the main key of E major. Up to this point, all key changes have modulated pivotally, using common tones to smoothly join the sections.
At bar 111, however, the move back to E major is deliberately non-functional to reflect the journey of the space shuttle, whose view of the Earth has finally been darkened by the sun's disappearance beneath the Earth's horizon.
"The daylight part of the Earth with its pink clouds and evening haze above the surface is still visible while our spacecraft is already sailing into the blackness of night."
Vladimir Vasyutin - USSR
At this point, the winds continue in fragmented fashion (still in Bb major) whilst the strings are simultaneously constructing an E major pitch set. The effect created by this superimposition of keys is one of strangeness and remoteness - of distance from light.
|
