Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Music

1950s: Social Poetry

Poets felt the need to provide critical testimony of the reality and adopt an attitude of commitment to the situation that existed in Spain. Cantos Iberians by Gabriel Celaya and I Ask for Peace and the Word by Blas de Otero, published in 1955, stand out.

As for the themes, we must highlight the issue of Spain, social injustice, and alienation. The language is clear, and the tone is colloquial.

1960s: Poetry of Knowledge

By the end of the 1950s, a group of poets emerged seeking further elaboration of poetic language and a shift from the collective to the personal. They defended the idea of the poem as an act of knowledge.

• Barcelona Group: Jose Agustin Goytisolo, Jaime Gil de Viedma, among others.
• Madrid Group: Claudio Rodriguez,

... Continue reading "Spanish Poetry Movements: 1950s to Present" »

Vocal and Dramatic Forms

Color

Use of letters that pertain to hue. (Note: This definition is vague in the original text.)

Virtuosity

The complete mastery of the possibilities of an instrument or voice.

Melody Accompanied

A single melodic line with accompaniment.

Basso Continuo

An accompaniment system characteristic of Baroque music, consisting of a bass line over which improvised chords are played.

Castrato

Singers who were castrated when young, before their voice changed, to stop the growth of the larynx. The castrato's voice remained childlike throughout his life, but with the lung capacity and power of an adult.

Cantata

Similar to the oratorio in structure, but usually shorter, not staged, and lacking a narrative history.

Passion

Recounts the Passion... Continue reading "Essential Terminology of Baroque Music and Early Opera" »

History of Spanish Peninsular Theater

Medieval Drama: The Origins

The Auto de los Reyes Magos

The Auto de los Reyes Magos (The Adoration of the Magi) is the oldest known Castilian dramatic text. It is a fragment of 147 verses, predominantly using polymetric structures (endecasyllable, Alexandrine, and seven-syllable lines). It is written in Castilian.

The fragment contains monologues of the Three Kings, their meeting, visits to Herod, and the discussion among the wise men.

In the second half of the fifteenth century, Gómez Manrique stands out as the author of sacred works.

Renaissance Drama Trends

The Renaissance period saw several distinct dramatic trends:

• Religious drama
• Italianate theater (exemplified by Bartolomé de Torres Naharro)
• Classical theater
• National

... Continue reading "Spanish Theater History: Medieval to Golden Age Drama" »

Jacinto Benavente: A New Voice in Spanish Theater

The emergence of Jacinto Benavente marked a significant shift in Spanish theater. His early works, characterized by naturalistic arguments and a critical tone towards Spanish society, stood in stark contrast to the passionate and rhetorically charged theater of his contemporaries, like Echegaray. Benavente soon adapted his style to appeal to the tastes of the bourgeois audience, who were often the protagonists of his plays. He employed a superficially satirical approach that avoided offending sensibilities, utilizing swift, effective language and well-crafted characters.

Key Thematic Guidelines

• Upper Middle-Class Dramas: These plays focus on the urban upper classes, exploring themes of social convention,

... Continue reading "Jacinto Benavente: Spanish Theater's Social Commentary" »

Characteristics of Neoclassicism (18th Century)

The Neoclassical period comprises the second half of the 18th century. Key characteristics include:

• Objective composition.
• Focus on the ideal of Beauty.
• Bright melodic lines and phrases that are cheerful, square, and regular.
• Prevalence of instrumental music, particularly the sonata form.
• The birth of the democratization of music.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart is considered a child prodigy of music. The last stage of his life was difficult due to financial problems and illness. He was largely self-taught and served the Bishop of Salzburg and the Emperor of Austria.

Key Characteristics and Works

His works highlight spontaneity and tenderness. Major compositions include:

• Instrumental Music: Over 50 symphonies,

... Continue reading "Neoclassicism and Romanticism: Key Composers and Musical Forms" »

Cantar de Mio Cid: Language and Style

The Cantar de Mio Cid features:

• Frequent calls and invocations to the audience.
• Frequent exclamations (evaluative).
• Suppression of introductory verbs.
• Use of formulas specific to orality.
• Presence of characteristic epic formulas.
• Abundance of epic epithets to characterize the characters.
• Alternating narrative and dialogue.
• Freedom in the use of verbal forms.

It is divided into three main sections:

1. Song of the Exile
2. Song of the Weddings
3. Song of the Reproach of Corpes

One of its main characteristics is its historical accuracy. The work is also the oldest representation of the Magi, comprising one hundred forty-seven multimeter verses.

Cantigas Types

Types of Cantigas include:

• From friend
• Love
• Of ridicule and cursing

Jarchas

... Continue reading "Cantar de Mio Cid: Language, Style, and Poetic Devices" »

Music of the Middle Ages

Middle Ages: Music of the Middle Ages was primarily religious. The music was performed at monasteries, churches, and castles. The exchange between these three musical worlds led to the birth of various forms of classical music of the era: the motet, the polyphonic Mass, the song, the madrigal, and the reform of the sixteenth century, the chorale.

From Gregorian Chant to Polyphony

From Gregorian chant to polyphony: After the fall of the Roman Empire, the only power in Europe was the Church. The Pope laid down the rules of the liturgy: this was expressed through songs in Latin, in which all the performers sang in unison, unaccompanied by any instrument. Pope Gregory I gave it the name: Gregorian chant. This song was the... Continue reading "Evolution of Western Classical Music: Middle Ages to Baroque" »

Famous Opera Arias

La Traviata, G. Verdi

Aria: Features tenor, soprano, and choir. This romantic opera tells the tragic story of Violetta Valery, who sacrifices her love to save a family's reputation. The opera begins with a celebration where Violetta meets Alfredo, a fan who admires her beauty and love.

The Barber of Seville, G. Rossini

Aria: Largo al factotum. Features baritone Figaro. The barber dedicates his time not only to haircuts but also acts as a messenger and matchmaker, helping with love intrigues.

L'amico Fritz, Mascagni

Aria: Duo cerises. Features tenor and soprano. A wealthy landowner, after declaring himself a bachelor, accepts a bet that he will marry within a year. He realizes he has feelings for Suzel when she brings him flowers,... Continue reading "Famous Opera Arias: Verdi, Rossini, Mozart & More" »

Baroque Instrumental Forms and Structures

A) Comparing the Suite and the Sonata Concerto

Both the Suite and the Sonata Concerto are Baroque instrumental forms and usually feature a basso continuo.

B) Instrumental Combinations for Baroque Sonatas

Sonatas were composed for various instrumental combinations, including:

• Solo Sonatas: For a single instrument (e.g., keyboard, harpsichord, violin, cello).
• Duet Sonatas: For one soloist with basso continuo.
• Trio Sonatas: For two soloists with basso continuo.

C) Types of Baroque Sonatas

Based on structure, two main types of sonata were developed in the Baroque era:

Sonata da camera (Chamber Sonata)

Composed of dance-rate movements. This form derived into the Suite.

Sonata da chiesa (Church Sonata)

Typically featured

... Continue reading "Baroque and Classical Music Forms: Sonata, Suite, and Concerto Grosso" »

Audiovisual Elements

Elements of audiovisual media combine sound and image, playing a very important role with their particular ideology.

Features of Audiovisual Media

• Convey information, opinions, etc.
• Users (viewers, listeners, and readers) have possibilities to interact.

Main Audiovisual Media

• Press
• Radio
• Television
• Film
• Thematic Xanxo (Note: 'Xanxo' is unclear in context)

Characteristics of Media Types

• Radio: Uses sound, very accessible.
• TV: Majority medium, image combined with sound.
• Film: Art and entertainment, disseminated in projection rooms and DVD.
• Internet: A global medium, offers everything.

Spelling Notes

Specific rules for open vowels and diphthongs (likely related to a specific language, e.g., Catalan):

Open Vowel 'e' Rules

Majority of esdrúixoles... Continue reading "Key Concepts in Media, Language, and Literature" »