Aaron Copland and the American Sound

Yes, there are TWO pieces to listen to this time - both are short.

Click on the following link, scroll down to “Fanfare for the Common Man,” listen and answer the questions. This is a short piece – only about 3 minutes long.
http://www.rhapsody.com/aaron-copland Click on “Fanfare for the Common Man”
Why is the opening so dramatic and compelling even though it only uses two instruments?
What instrument family is primarily used throughout this piece?
What is it about the character of that particular instrument family that fits the mood and message of the overall piece? Would it had been as affective if Copland had used the stringed instruments (violins, etc.) instead?

Click on the following link, scroll down to “Simple Gifts from Appalachian Spring,” listen and answer the following questions.
http://www.rhapsody.com/aaron-copland Click on “Simple Gifts from Appalachian Spring” (about 5 minutes long)
The tune to “Simple Gifts” is taken from an old Shaker song from the Colonial period in America – roughly the mid-1600’s. How does this contribute to the “American” sound of this music? How is it unique from any of the music from European composers that we have listened to? Name three instruments you hear, one from the woodwinds, one from the strings, one from the brass.

Impressionism - Maurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel was a contemporary of Claude Debussy, whose music we heard in class. He lived from 1875-1937, was French and wrote for many genres of music. This piece is one for solo violin, the name of the piece, "Tzigane" meaning "gypsy." Listen and anwer the following questions.

http://www.rhapsody.com/mauriceravel scroll down to the piece entitled "Tzigane"

Describe impressionism in this piece - what elements of impressionism discussed in class to you hear?

What is your reaction to this piece based on the elements of impressionism you heard? Does is sound "normal" by today's standards or does it seem avant garde even today?

Sergei Rachmaninov - "Vocalise"

Click on the following link, listen and then answer the questions below:

http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Rachmaninov%20Vocalise&searchtype=RhapKeyword

1. What is your reaction upon hearing this piece?

2. A "vocalise" is actually an song that a vocalist sings to exercise their voice. Why do you think Rachmaninov decided to call this piece "Vocalise"? (He actually originally wrote it to be sung but later re-wrote it to be played by an orchestra- why would he do this?)

3. It what ways could you use this music, such as soundtracks, background music, etc....?

The Moldau by Bedrich Smetana

“The Moldau” by Bedrich Smetana
Click the following link http://www.rhapsody.com/bedrichsmetana
Choose the second selection entitled “The Moldau” (This is a river in the Czech Republic. This piece of music is about what you would see if you were traveling down the Moldau River)
Listen and answer the following:
i. What instruments do you hear in the opening moments?
ii. As the stream broadens what instruments are added?
iii. There are two changes of character – can you describe each one and what you think the scene is?
iv. Do you hear the opening theme repeated? If so, where?
v. In the end, what happens to the river?

Chopin and the Romantic Era

Chopin Prelude No. 6 in B minor
Click the following link: http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Chopin+Prelude+No.+6&searchtype=RhapKeyword
Choose the first track listed, “Chopin Preludes: No. 6 in B minor (Lento assai)”
Listen and answer the following:
i. Why is this piece an example of “absolute music?”
ii. If you had to title it, what would you call it? Really think about this one!
iii. What about this piece is uniquely “Romantic?”

Mozart Piano Concerto

Listening guide page 208 Mozart: Piano Concerto in G major, K. 453, First Movement
http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Mozart%3A%20Piano%20Concerto%20in%20G%20major%20K.%20453&searchtype=RhapTrack
click on the above link, click on the first track listed, listen and answer the following:
i. Why do classical pieces tend to be long and popular pieces tend to be short?
ii. Why do you think the piano waits so long to come in at the opening of the piece?
iii. Describe the “cadenza” near the end of the piece.

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony

NOTE: This listening assignment is due by FRIDAY, October 3rd.


Listening guide pg 202 Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op. 67
http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Beethoven%20Symphony%20No.%205&searchtype=RhapTrack
click on the above link, scroll down to the third track listed (Beethoven: Symphony No. 5:1, Allegro Con Brio) and listen, then answer the following:
i. There are two main themes in this first movement. Can you describe the character of each? Listen for when the music changes from minor to major and becomes more tranquil – this introduces the second theme.
ii. What instruments do you hear primarily during the second theme? True or False – there is a return of the first theme.

Classical Era Symphony - Franz Joseph Haydn, "Suprise Symphony" Second Movement

Listening guide page 195 Haydn: Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise) Second Movement
Click on http://www.rhapsody.com/haydn/tracks.html
Scroll down to Number 26 “Symphonie No. 100 en sol majeur “Militaire”: Finale –Presto”
Please describe the various shifts in character – name as many characters as you hear.
Of the various characteristics of Haydn’s music (humor, periods of silence for dramatic effect, "storm and stress" followed by tranquil and light-hearted melodies, folk-like melodies) which ones did you hear?

Classical Forms - Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Pg 186-7 Listening Guide
http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Eine%20Kliene%20Nachtmusik&searchtype=RhapKeyword
Click on the above link, chose the first track listed, listen and answer the following:
i. Have you ever heard the opening theme? If so, where?
ii. What is the overall form of this piece? HINT: do you hear anything being repeated?
iii. What are the primary instruments you hear.
iv. Is the sound “thick” or “thin” – in other words, do you hear many instruments or only a few?

Baroque - George Frederic Handel

9/17 Pg 154 Listening Guide
http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=WAter%20Music&searchtype=RhapKeyword
Click on the above link, scroll down to about the fourth entry entitled, “Water Music – Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: XII, Alla Hornpipe. Listen and answer the following:
i. What is the mood of the piece?
ii. What is the primary instrument you hear?
iii. What part of the piece is repeated? (HINT: You have to listen to the entire piece in order to answer this!)

Blog #6 Bach and the Baroque

9/12
Click on the link below, scroll down to the entry, “Bach: Fugue II in C Minor.” Click on this link, listen and answer the question below.
http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Fugue%20in%20C%20Minor%2C%20Bach&searchtype=RhapKeyword
At the opening, you hear a single melody line that is then repeated over and over throughout the piece.
How well can you follow this melody? About how many times did you hear it?
Describe the music – was it very busy, plain, dissonant, pleasant,etc…

Blog #5 - Baroque

Blog #5 has been canceled – enjoy your free time!

Blog #4 Late Renaissance Secular Music

pg 128 Listening Guide
http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=When%20I%20Am%20Laid%20IN%20Earth&searchtype=RhapKeyword
Click on the above link, listen and answer the following:
i. “When I Am Laid In Earth” is a sung by “Dido, Queen of Carthage” who has fallen in love with the adventurer, Aeneas, who is on a journey commanded by the gods. Aeneas is leaving and Dido has decided her fate is death since she cannot have her love, Aeneas.Listen to the low-sounding stringed instrument you hear in the background - it is playing a descending line. Describe how this descending line and the vocal part help to make up the mood of this piece.

Blog #3 Sacred Renaissance

http://www.rhapsody.com/giovanniperluigidapalestrinachoeurdustudiomusiqueanciennedemontreal
Click on the link above and then click on “Gloria De La Messe (From The Mass). Listen and answer the following:
i. Does this music convey a feeling, mood or particular emotion?
ii. What, if anything, makes this piece sound sacred? (Remember “sacred” means anything sung or performed in church) Describe your reaction to this music and try to explain why you reacted this way. Is it because of your background, musical training, etc?

Blog #2 - The Middle Ages

http://www.rhapsody.com/josephmouret
Listen to the piece on the above link and answer the following:
i. Describe the melody (smoothness, range, etc.) harmony (simple or complex, repetitive or changing), and rhythm (regular or irregular; two, three or four beats per measure).
ii. Identify as many instruments as possible that you hear.
iii. What is the main instrument you hear?



http://www.rhapsody.com/hildegardvonbingen
Click on the link above and scroll down the list of pieces until you see “Kyrie.” Click on “Kyrie,” listen and answer the folloing:
i. Identify the musical characteristics of the chant, describing the shape of the melody, the tempo, and describe the mood.
ii. Is the chant syllabic or melismatic?

Introduction

DUE 8/27 08 (must be posted by midnight on 8/27)

1. Write a short musical biography of yourself. Include in the biography the following items: Name, your major, what kind of music you listen to, the last music you purchased, whether or not you download/purchase music online, and the last musical event you attended, such as a concert, etc. Also include information about musical training, for instance the instruments you play and/or experience you have. Finally, include any other information you think would be important or just enjoyable for me to know.

2. What does it mean to be an “artist”? Who do you think is a great artist today in the music business? What is the genre they perform and what is it about them that makes them an “artist”? Define music in your own terms. Use terminology from chapters 1-6 of “The Enjoyment of Music.”