What key is this in?

[theholygideons]

what key is this in?



https://petruccilibrary.us/Scores/scores/Stravinsky_Igor_1971/Stravinsky_-_Petrushka_3mvts.pdf

[marijn1999]

Hi,

Most of the time, that is, up to until about the late 19th century, you can identify the key of a certain piece by looking at the final chord (however, not always). Looking at this piece, not knowing it very well, I'd say it is in C major, since it makes a lot of use of the dominant (G major) in de accompaniment.

If we look at the final chord here, we have a full C major triad with a doubled root in the bass clef. We have the same in the treble clef, however we also find an A in the chord. I think that just serves as nonfunctional harmony to deceive the listener a little bit. Remember, this ballet was written in 1910-11 when harmony meant something very different then in, say 1890.

Stravinsky probably wants to confirm the listeners thought that the piece is in C major, but simply adds some nonfunctional harmony to add interest to the piece. That is something he (and numerous other Russian composers) do all the time in their music.

I hope that helps.

BW,
Marijn

[theholygideons]

If we look at the final chord here, we have a full C major triad with a doubled root in the bass clef. We have the same in the treble clef, however we also find an A in the chord.

Don't the F sharps point towards g major or e minor? but then, what's the b flat doing. I was hoping for there to be some tonic dominant relationships as well.