Brothers In Arms Analysis

War has been a part of human history for millennia, and unfortunately the nations of Australia and New Zealand are of no exception. The bloodshed that occurred during the landing on Gallipoli 1915 left a stain on the history and lives of millions of ANZAC members, fans, families, and friends. The memory of these ANZAC 's is commemorated annually on the 25th April with numerous and a variety of celebrations. The ideas of war have inspired a new genre of music that (through compositional devices including: texture, timbre, melody, structure etc.) is able to express the feelings, emotions of those at war, the emotions of those left behind and all other aspects of the Australian reputation of "Brother 's in Arms". It is because of these

The term Brothers in arms encompasses many connected themes and values including comradeship, honour, death, valour, patriotism, hate, love, peace, war etc., while primarily representing only a few of these themes "Remembering Emilie, and Finale" conveys this umbrella like state of "Brothers in arms" through its variety of instruments. Composer John Williams, includes strings, brass (trumpets, horns e.g.), percussion (piano solo) and woodwind instruments to create a full atmospheric piece. Featuring throughout the entirety of the piece, the strings lay the foundation for the ebbing contour of the melody through their constant flow. Introducing and concluding each soloing section and the song itself, the strings appear to rise and fall in volume and pitch constantly in a wave-like motion. This oceanic form can constitute as homage to the ANZAC day hymn 'Abide with me '; '...falls even tide ', 'ebbs away ', and the idea of the continuous cycle of waves of invasion, and cycle of life. Whether in the midst of the battlefield or at home waiting for their soldiers, the ANZAC family 's lives continued, as one soldier dies another replaces him on the firing line. Where the strings form the idea of the ANZAC 's as a whole, each peaking section/solo represent the idea that war does not affect just one soul, but touches the lives of many. The trumpet calling out continuously depicts the moaning of wounded soldiers, the piano solo is a little girl waiting for her daddy; the horns

“Remembering Emilie, and Finale” is a masterful compilation of themes portrayed through an assortment of timbre’s and atmospheric elements. The piece introduces the theme of heartache in war through the slow and soft melody of the introductory section. The long slow chords of the strings, and polyphonic elements of the string elements (i.e. the melody of each singular string instrument interweaving with each other) adds depth to the piece and allows audiences to visualise the turmoil and heaving emotions of those at war (whether it be the suicidal soldiers, grieving widows, conflicted friends or heartbroken children left behind). Although reflecting the pain and suffering of war, the bright timbre and piercing atmosphere of “Remembering Emilie, and Finale” reminds audiences both of the heartache but also to never forget. The piece inserts glimmers of hope in each audience member and conveys the notion to never forget; what was lost in the war, what the ANZAC’s gave, what the children lived through, the brave soldiers that came home, and the ones that didn’t. ‘To never forget’, this theme (present in the piece) reflects and aligns with the timeless and monumental importance of the ANZAC day poem “Lest we forget”. “Remembering Emilie, and Finale” pays homage to the timeless ideas that should always remain a part of the memory’s and atmosphere of ANZAC day through the timbre and themes present, and adds to the importance of its inclusion in this year ANZAC day