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.
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8 comments:
FANFARE
The beginning is so intense and compelling because of a few things. The sound of the drum juxtaposed against the silence makes the drum so intense. It captures our attention.
The horn family is mainly used.
The horns give it a signal sound. As do the drums. It is like a war signal or sign. They are effective because they are so loud. This is why they were used in war. It could be heard from a far off. The strings would not have given the same effect. At all.
SIMPLE GIFTS
"Dance dance wherevery you may be, I am the Lord of the dance said he, and I'll lead you all wherever you may be and I'll lead you all in the dance said he."
The melody is played over and over again. It has a folk like sound. It s very simple. The melody stays relatively within a decent range. This is different from a lot of the complex European songs.
I hear the violin, the flute and the french horn...i think.
Fanfare
i. The beginning is compelling with just 2 instruments because they are powerful. They demand attention to the piece.
ii. The brass family is primarily used in this piece (about time too).
iii. The brass is effective and adds to the celebratory, regal tone. Violins do not have the power necessary to create a "fanfare."
Simple Gifts
i. This song adds to the American sound because it is American. The simple folk-like notes are easily recognizable.
ii. It is unique and unlike the European sounds because of it's simplicity. It is not regal and elaborate. It's just a Shaker tune.
iii. I think I hear a violin, flute, and trumpet.
1. Fanfare for the Common Man: The beginning is dramatic because the drums and trumpet almost command your attention. They are bold and dramatic and solid by themselves; they are not supporting in any way. (I dont know if that makes sense but it does in my head. They stand alone.
The horns are primarily used through out this piece.
The character is very commanding, calling to attention.
I dont think that stringed instruments would have commanded attention as effectively as horns do; they are too meek and quiet sounding.
2. Simple Gifts from Appalachian Spring:
It is simplistic; just as the title states. It is very repetitive, clean and commanding where as European music is so complex.
I think I hear the violin, clarinet&flute, and the trumpet.
Chantal,
Wow - I'm impressed by your comments about European music being too complex as opposed to Copland's music! Cha, cha- you go girl!
Sis. A
i. The percussion is deep and dramatic and then the horns grab your attention somehow. The high notes of the trumpet mixed with the deep percussion makes it compelling.
ii. The brass family is used primarily.
iii. No it would not have been as affective to use the stringed instruments. The brass instruments seem to have an attention grabbing nature.
i. The notes are definitely recognizable, but I'm not sure why. It just has an American sound to it. It seems as though some of our other American songs have these same notes.
ii. There are not many different instruments contributing to this piece and it sounds very simple.
iii. The violin, piano (strings?), I don't really hear anything brass.. Maybe I have the wrong song. :)
1. Umm the fact that it is such a sharp comparison before the drums and the horn. You get this sweet sounding horn playing with interjections of these sharp drums.
2. Some type of horn I dunno maybe a trumpet.
3. It was very mellow in a way, I think a harp would have been interesting.
1. It sounds like a old western, the open range theme music.
2. I dunno
3. Flute, and a trumpet for sure. I don't know what the string thing is, sounds like a bell like piano if there is such a thing. I think there is a violin in there to.
I. Its the low percussion...like a bass of tiffany that is the heart beat and the trumpet brings light to the dark and heaviness of the bass or tiffany.
Percussion and brass
It gives us that wild west feel...the way people lived in the west was not classical or fancy ...but pretty plain. This piece depicts this. It makes us think of a rough adventure.
II. Well it has a steady beat and measurements that you can follow. The melody is very similar all thought the piece. European music would be all over the place, making it overly complicated.
it starts out very low with the base drums, it sounds very powerful and then it makes it very impacting when the trumpets come in.
trumpet
usually trumpets are loud and bold but in this piece they are very relaxing and they seem to say everything will be ok
this reminds me of the mighty ducks and it soudns very american. it is pretty but not elegant like you would expect from european music.
i hear some violin and trumpet, and maybe a flute.
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