Analysis of a Waltz

This is a waltz composed by the actor Sir Anthony Hopkins and performed by Andre Rieu & His Johanne Strauss Orchestra. My mother came across this a while back, and I was completely surprised to discover it was written by Anthony Hopkins (of Silence of the Lambs fame). I chose this because I love waltzes, and I think this is just a gorgeous piece filled with intensity and emotion.

The piece begins in the key of C# minor, and the meter is a compound triple.

Section A, which serves as an intro, starts at 0:07 and ends at 1:03. This section sets the piece at a leisurely tempo (Andante). It introduces the waltz by beginning kind, the clarinet and saxophone alternately playing the melody while the strings add chords (making this section homophonic). At 0:37, the string section comes in, building on the melody unfurling. Tension starts to build at 0:50, and the accelerando at 1:01 shifts the tempo into Allegro for Section B.

Section B (1:04-2:59) changes the texture from homophonic to polyphonic. The violins lead with the melody while the cellos play the harmony. At 1:30, some of the woodwinds add to the harmony and the tempo changes slightly to Allegrissimo. Tension agains builds at 1:49 and the whole orchestra plays at 1:51 (tempo changes to Vivace). For the first time we hear the percussion section, the brass section, and the chorus. You can see many of the orchestra members swaying with the beat; this is, of course, a waltz! The tempo changes to Allegro at 2:24 and the woodwinds, trumpet, and accordian take the melody with the piano and some strings playing chords in the background.

Section C begins at 3:00 and a rubato slowly brings the tempo to Vivace. I like this video because you get to see the audience getting into the music (musicking) by dancing, swaying, or snuggling with their loved ones. You can even see Anthony Hopkins' wife starting to get emotional at 3:15. At 3:39 a music box makes its entrance; oh, how charming! As the brass sections brings the whole orchestra back in at 3:54 the tempo accelerates into Presto briefly until 4:12.

Section B' is a twist on the theme from Section B. This begins at 4:15. With the tempo at Allegro, the timpanis dramatically reintroduce this theme with the strings and woodwinds. At this point, the key also changes to C (natural) minor. The tempo is Presto, once again. The whole orchestra comes back in at 4:38 with the brass section playing chords, supporting the melody and harmony. At 5:20, the orchestra reaches a dramatic pause (probably appearing in the score as a fermata). Andre Rieu (the conductor) has a violin solo, and the orchestra (primarily the horns) comes back in briefly before Rieu's next solo. The whole orchestra comes back in at 5:35 for the finale.

#learningtask