Verse 2

The chorus and Verse 2a ends and begins respectively with a dovetail. The harmony is the same as Verse 1. The structure varies this time as Verse 2b is sung by Christine.

Chorus is also the same (NEXT POST!). However, a point to note:
I decided to remove chord 'Ab6' as given. The high F in the third quaver beat is an appoggiatura. Coupled with the first quaver beat of this bunch of notes are chromatic passing, you can easily form a chord V-V7, reiterated in the form of Ab-Ab7.

Verse 1a + 1b

Verse 1a is made up of a 2 bar antecedent and consequent.

The key of this song is Db major and the chords for Verse 1a is as follow:
Antecedent: I9 (not I as marked on the score)
Consequent: I7-ii42-CT bVII-V6

A few interesting points to note:
#1 The melody started with an appoggiatura
#2 The figuration in Bar 1 and 2 are almost the same, both ends of with an Ab but in a different octave
#3 Gb6 = first instance of confusion. I decided to use chord ii42. Chord notes are circled on the score. It is double confirmed by Vb which ii42 resolved to.
#4 The resolution of chord ii42 is delayed by the appearance of a CT bVII (common tone: E). It is also approached with a chromatic descending bass line.

Verse 1b is about the same as Verse 1a in terms of melody and harmony.

Structure

Verse 1a and 1b: Raoul

Chorus: Christine

Verse 2a: Raoul
Verse 2b: Christine

Chorus: Raoul
Chorus: Christine solo
Raoul joins in


The structure for this song is rather straightforward, like the strophic form. As this song is part of a musical, the lyrics and vocal parts are structured in way that mimics a (subtle flirty) conversation.

The reason why I mark out the sections in parts a and b is because the melody and most parts of the harmony of part b is essentially a repeat of a.

The Analysis - Prelude

While I am still figuring out the last bits of the analysis, I noticed a few two points:

#1 The song is quite repetitive. There are two periods in each set of verse and chorus. Most of the second period is the repetition (harmony and melody) of the first
#2 The chord symbols provided are distracting (though they can be helpful at times)

Other renditions

(WARNING: Cheesy MV ahead)

Cliff Richard and Sarah Brightman recorded and released this song as a single. I really do not like Richard Cliff as Raoul at all. He doesn't sound like a "mature" knight in the shinning armour to save Christine from the Phantom.


Josh Groban, on the other hand, has a voice too low for this role. Oh well~ No one does Raoul as well as Michael Ball!

Oh and I realised that almost all the other renditions of the song comes with orchestra accompaniment.

All I Ask of You

Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Royal Albert Hall Celebration'.

The song that I am analysing is "All I Ask of You" from the The Phantom of The Opera

I couldn't find a decent video from the movie (they were either dubbed or really trashy). So here's one by Sarah Brightman and Michael Ball who happened to be one of my favourite Christine and Raoul!

About the song
"The song occurs at the end of Act I of the musical. Christine Daaé, terrified of the Phantom after a stagehand is found murdered during an opera performance, flees to the roof of the Paris Opera House with her childhood friend, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. He promises to love her and keep her safe from the Phantom, who is listening in on the exchange without their knowledge. Heartbroken and furious at being spurned, he swears revenge against Raoul and causes the Opera's giant chandelier to crash to the floor" (Wikipedia, 2010).