Table 14.3 gives a breakdown of all shared notes between Ein feste Burg and Variation XII. There are 100 shared notes dispersed over 23 measures. As was previously observed, five measures were deemed inactive when Ein feste Burg does not play. This means 100% of all active measures contain sequentially shared notes with the unstated Principal Theme. 23 melodic notes and 77 chordal notes from Variation XII are shared with Ein feste Burg. There are 8 shared note types with frequencies ranging from a low of 4 to a high of 28.
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| George Nevinson (1853 – 1908) |
"The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice."
G. K. Chesterton
Variation XII is dedicated to Basil George Nevinson (1853 – 1908). He resided in London London
Ein feste Burg may play through and over Variation XII as shown in Figure 14.1. A sound file of this solution is available here. It should be mentioned in measure 500 Ein feste Burg modulates with the variation up a minor third from G minor to B flat major. For this reason Ein feste Burg rises from A at the end of measure 499 to B flat at the beginning of measure 500 instead of cadencing downward on G. It is feasible to use a G at the beginning of measure 500 without undermining the melodic solution, but in light of the obvious modulation it was determined B flat poses a superior resolution.
The mapping of Ein feste Burg over Variation XII was not achieved according to the nebulous dictates or free rhythm or atonal speculation. Ein feste Burg was carefully mapped over the movement as shown in Figure 14.2 based on a process of melodic interval mirroring. Melodic interval mirroring occurs when note intervals from the source melody are mirrored or reflected in the variation over similar or identical beats between notes. In the majority of cases, melodic intervals are mirrored not only over the same metrical distance, but also by the same notes in both the variation and unstated Principal Theme. Additional factors weighed into this mapping were the contrapuntal devices of contrary, parallel and similar motion.
Table 14.1 summarizes 23 melodic conjunctions between Ein feste Burg and Variation XII. A melodic conjunction is defined as any simultaneously shared note between the melody lines of the unstated Principal Theme and the variation. Melodic conjunctions are dispersed over 23 out of 28 measures in Variation XI. Based on this mode of analysis, it was found Ein feste Burg does not play over five measures of Variation XII:
· The two bar introduction in measures 494 and 495
· Measure 515 four bars after rehearsal 54
· The closing two bar recapitulation of the introduction in measures 520 and 521
Excluding these five inactive measures, melodic conjunctions are present in 15 out of 23 bars, or 65% of all active measures. An active measure is defined as one in which Ein feste Burg plays.
Table 14.2 breaks down melodic conjunctions between Ein feste Burg and Variation XII by note type. There are seven shared melody note types with frequencies ranging from 1 to 10.
Table 14.3 gives a breakdown of all shared notes between Ein feste Burg and Variation XII. There are 100 shared notes dispersed over 23 measures. As was previously observed, five measures were deemed inactive when Ein feste Burg does not play. This means 100% of all active measures contain sequentially shared notes with the unstated Principal Theme. 23 melodic notes and 77 chordal notes from Variation XII are shared with Ein feste Burg. There are 8 shared note types with frequencies ranging from a low of 4 to a high of 28.
Table 14.4 summarizes all note conjunctions between Ein feste Burg and Variation XII, giving percentages for each note type found in both the melodic and chordal categories.
Conclusion
Based on data presented in Figures 14.1-14.2, and Tables 14.1-14.4, the preponderance of the evidence establishes Variation XII is a clear and convincing counterpoint to Ein feste Burg.
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