488 PART 4 | SINCE WORLD WAR II
timing section text comments0:00 introduction Strings and woodwinds establish gentle waltz.
0:06 chorus 1
(64 bars)a (Frederik) She lightens
my sadness...The melody alternates the raised fourth scale
degree (She lightens) with its lowered, typical
form (my sadness). The fi rst a section melody
ends inconclusively, on the fi fth scale degree.
0:30 a She bubbles with
pleasure...The a section repeats a half-step higher, this
time concluding fi rmly on the new tonic.
0:54 b One thousand whims... The bridge is harmonically unstable,
modulating rapidly in a downward chromatic
progression.
1:17 a So sunlike so winning... The fi nal a section is now stated a whole-step
higher than its fi rst appearance.
1:43 interlude
(4 bars)(Désirée speaks) Interlude in the opening key,as underscoring.1:48 chorus 2
(64 bars)a (Frederik and Désirée
in alternation) She
sparkles...The two characters divide the melody in
shifting patterns.2:07 a She fl utters... Although Sondheim’s score indicates that a few
of Désirée’s words should be spoken, not sung,
Glynis Johns takes liberties and speaks many
of her passages.
2:27 b (Frederik) She loves my
voice...Bridge is melodically expansive; Désirée breaks
in near the end.
2:46 a (Frederik and Désirée in
alternation) She dotes
on...Again the two characters divide the melody.3:06 half chorus
(41 bars)b (Frederik) A sea of
whims...Désirée breaks in strongly after the startling
revelation of Anne’s virginity.
3:25 a (Frederik and Désirée
in alternation) She’s
monstrous...Now Désirée leads the exchange of voices. Her
rising anger motivates a change in the music,
and in the 16th bar the a section ends on a
dissonant diminished chord.Listening Guide 19.5“You Must Meet My Wife,” from A Little Night Music
CD 4.4 STEPHEN SONDHEIMdate: 1973
performers: Len Cariou (Fredrik) and
Glynis Johns (Désirée)
genre: Broadway musical duet
meter: triple
form: aaba chorus, with one full repeat and
one half chorusWHAT TO LISTEN FOR- waltz rhythm
- use of lyrics and music to delineate
characters - humorous use of rhyme
172028_19_468-494_r3_sd.indd 488 23/01/13 11:05 AM