A2 Level Music Technology

Listening Activity
The Development of the Synthesiser

The following questions are based on two extracts of music by Olivier Messiaen. Make sure
you read each question carefully and notice how many marks are available for each answer.
Use relevant musical language where appropriate and ensure accuracy of spelling and
punctuation.

1. In extract one (0:00 - 1:41) "Presque lent et berceur", which mode of pitch determination is
being used by Messiaen?
[2]
a) Le Ruban (the ring)
b) Au Clavier (keyboard)

Give reason for this answer.

2. In extract one (0:00 - 1:41) "Presque lent et berceur", which two playing ornamentation's best
describe the melody?
[2]
a) Glissandi
b) Staccato
c) Legato
d) Ribatutta

3. In extract one (0:00 - 1:41) "Presque lent et berceur", which of the following time signatures is the
piece playing?
[1]
a) 5/4
b) 12/8
c) 4/4
d) 3/4

4. In extract one (0:00 - 1:41) "Presque lent et berceur", it is quite often hard to set a strict metronome
to the pulse of the music (the music often slowing down and returning to its original tempo. Which of
the following terms describes this?
[1]
a) Syncopation
b) Cross Rhythm
c) Hemiola
d) Rubato

5. In extract one (1:29), 7 notes are played consecutively on the piano. Which of the following terms
describes this?
[1]
a) Unison
b) Turn
c) Trill

What musical intervals follow these 7 notes?

[1]
a) Blind Octave's
b) perfect 5th's
c) Octave's

5. In extract 2, how many beats are there per bar?

[1]
a) 5 beats
b) 4 beats
c) 3 beats
d) 2 beats

6. In extract 2, listen to bars 1 - 2 and 3 - 4. Which word below describes the melodic interplay
between the ondes martenot and the piano?
[1]
a) Round
b) Strict Imitation
c) Repetition
c) Call and Response

7. In extract 2, what mode of playing is Messiaen using on the ondes marternot?

[2]
a) Le Ruban (the ring)
b) Au Clavier (keyboard)

Give reason for this answer

8. In extract 2, which of the following best describes the melody during bars 1 and 2? (circle
a, b or c to show your answer)
[1]
a)

b)

c)