It appeals to performers and audience by beginning with a energetic maestoso. At measure 9 a low brass figure leads into the first statement of the flowing, lyrical theme 1 in the clarinet and baritone voices. A measure 30 the rest of the woodwinds join in the melody. Around measure 53, Swearingen somewhat layers more and more voices of the band into this piece. At the end of this piece they finish with a strong coda section in ABA style composition.…
The first movement of the composition begins with a solo from only the strings family. A soft, consistent melody is played and the violin dominates the other instruments in this piece. The tone color at the beginning of this piece is relatively light which symbolizes the characteristics of a nuturing mother. As expected from a classical piece, the dynamics of the piece suddenly change, and there is a slight crescendo in the piece during the following measures of the composition. The tempo of the composition grows quicker in pace which portrays another chapter in the story, signalizng another movement of the piece. A violinist them performs a solo that plays alot that is also quick, yet play alot on the concept of pitch. It can be heard that the violin goes from very low ranges to fairly high range in pitch to emphasize the great amount of emotion in the piece.…
The predominant theme which runs through ‘Cosi’ is one of love and fidelity, and the opera ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’ parallels these ideas by following a similar story line, particularly in the way Guglielmo and Ferrando’s acts…
In this passage, Stravinsky discusses orchestra conductors, making observations and conclusions concerning their true necessity. He seemingly has carefully studied conductors' behavior and effectively conveys his view to the reader. To present his point of view clearly, Stravinsky makes use of diction, satirical statements, and comparisons.…
Music complements the visual action of the text. The lyrics of songs and the chosen music illuminates multiple interpretations of ‘sonata’ within the play in that the music often functions to relay historical events and the more personal story of Bridie and Sheila. Even when the numbers in their choir decimated they continued for they thought it was up to them to carry on. “We sang our sonata whenever we…
Although this artifact of study varies from the standard artifact in rhetorical study, there is much to be said about the uses of rhetorical devices in relation to their musical equivalents. I chose to study Bach because of my appreciation for his music, the complexity, and the overall relevance in the musical world. Without having known any connections between music theory and rhetoric, some brief investigation led me to several meaningful sources that showed me those connections. I have come to realize that there is more research and information on musical rhetoric, even in connection to Bach, than I had previously realized. First, I will discuss who J.S. Bach is and his importance in the musical world. Next, I will dissect a work of Bach,…
In Ishmael Bach’s autobiography, a long Way Gone, he portrays himself as a young witness of the civil war in his home country Sierra Leone. Beach starts his personal journey at age twelve in his small village where he grew up and ends four years later when he escapes to Guinea. At the beginning of the story Beah is a bright, cheerful, and untroubled, but as the book continues Young Beah takes much pleasure in learning the lyrics to American rap songs and performing them at local talent shows. Little did he believe that his passion for rap music would restlessly save his life. As an adolescent Beach was enlisted in the army to help fight against the rebel uprisings in Sierra Leone. After…
The term keyboard, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “a musical instrument that is played by means of a keyboard like that of a piano and that produces sounds electronically.” This is the modern definition of a keyboard, as it can be used as a term describing any key-like instrument which does not contain a firmly established identity, such as the clavichord and the harpsichord. The keyboard has been a prevalent instrument since as early as the third century BC, and therefore has encountered a multitude of transformations throughout the ages. As with any musical revolution, not only do the instruments transform, but so do characteristics of compositions and the style in which music is performed. From the Classical…
Out of the various approaches to analysing music have emerged throughout history I have chosen to review Immanuel Kant’s and Heinrich Schenker’s forms of analysis. The historical origin of a form of analysis is significant as the method and theory of these analytical approaches materialise from political and social circumstances of society of the time. For example, the discourse of period will manipulate the way a piece of music is discussed, and the understanding of discourse associated with a form of analysis will affect the way in which that approach is performed.…
The emotional journey of this great masterpiece continues within the second and third movement by bringing the listener back to feelings of calmness and sweet flowing melodic lines. This significant contrast from the first movement creates within an individual a sense of peace and tranquility that allows for the listener the opportunity to further enwrap themselves in the musical emotion of the piece. As the piece continues, this dolce expression crescendos with a melodic playfulness throughout the rest of the second movement and into the third movement taking the listener.…
In the final movement of the piece is when the soloist in mezzo-soprano sings her part in the Hebrew language (Chilsom, Kate Web). The tone of her voice at times intensifies as to show her sorrow and shame. The instrumental music becomes somber again, and the texture of the music seems to be in anguish, as the orchestra comes together in between the solo parts to emphasize the emotion.…
“Without this opera having been composed, there would be just a clanging, banging, a bedlam all around us.” P13…
The music has presented ever-changing throughout history. A variety of musicians has passed through each century leaving a lasting impression on the world. Each musician gave you a piece of him or her and how he or she saw the world of music and life through his or her eyes (Kamien, 2011). The write will elaborate on two well-known musicians of the 20th century, and then contrast and compare a 20th century musician song and a modern day song which both had aspects of controversial issues within each work.…
Burt Bacharach was born on May 12, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri. Although being born in Kansas City, Bacharach did most of his growing up in New York. Bacharach never had any interest in music growing up, instead he wanted to be a football player but that was a dream he wasn't physically adapted to do. Bacharach's dreams were crushed, that was until his mother taught him to play the piano at the age of twelve. Bacharach enjoyed playing piano very much but he never really planned on making a musical career off of his abilities and it wasn't until he heard the fine flowing movements and melodies of Jazz that it would change his musical talent into a passion. Bacharach loved everything about jazz an would do anything to hear it, even going as…
This review represents Maria Callas as a great Operatic singer, with “outstanding gifts”, “theatrical personality” and “extraordinary brilliance”. Unable to control her high notes, but with a unusual tone to her voice her low or chest register was extremely dark and almost baritonal in power, and she used this part of her voice for dramatic effect, often going into this register much higher on the scale than most sopranos. Her voice was penetrating. The volume as such was average: neither small nor powerful. In soft passages, Callas seemed to use another voice altogether, because it acquired a great sweetness. The value of this review for music historians today is significant as it really does tell us a lot about her performance, her voice, her acting skills and how she captured an audience to depict the story.…