Bold, assertive chords and a strong melody line illustrate Moses' authoritative stance, with a texture that is firm and confident.
Tense, dissonant chords and a forceful rhythm depict Pharaoh’s anger and defiance, using minor keys and chromatic dissonances.
A slow, creeping melody builds suspense with diminished chords, creating a sense of dread about the impending final plague.
Melancholic, lyrical passages with a mournful melody convey deep sorrow, using sparse texture and lingering notes.
A reflective section with minimalistic motifs expresses a sense of inevitability and somber acceptance of the looming disaster.
Warmer, major-key sections provide contrast, symbolizing the empathy and support extended to the Israelites by some Egyptians.
Darker themes return, building suspense towards the climax with a repeating motif that counts down to the moment of the final plague.