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

Spanish Accentuation Rules

1. Acute Words (Agudas)

The stress falls on the last syllable. They are accented if they end in n, s, or a vowel.

2. Grave or Plain Words (Llanas)

The stress falls on the penultimate syllable. They are accented when they do not end in n, s, or a vowel. Example: 'Juegos' is a grave word but is not accented because it ends in 's'.

3. Esdrújulas Words

The stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable. These are always accented.

• Tránsito (Noun): Esdrújula
• Transito (1st person verb): Grave/Llana
• Transitó (3rd person past verb): Acute

4. Sobresdrújulas Words

These are accented on the syllable before the antepenultimate. They are always accented. Example: Lógicamente.

The Spanish Alphabet and Phonemes

Sounds are called phonemes,... Continue reading "Spanish Accentuation and Syllabification Rules" »

3rd Generation Renaissance Music: 15th and 16th Centuries

The 3rd Generation of Renaissance music spans the 15th and 16th centuries, specifically through the first two decades of the 1500s.

Josquin Desprez: Master of the International Style

A student of Ockeghem, Josquin Desprez performed significant work in both religious and secular fields—a versatility that was unusual at the time, as composers were often specialized. Italy served as an important reference for Josquin. His music features a tonal sound, short sentences, and simple harmonics at intervals of 4ths and 5ths, utilizing regular phrases. By blending Franco-Flemish and Italian influences, he produced what became known as the international style.

Josquin composed approximately 80 motets... Continue reading "Josquin Desprez and 3rd Generation Renaissance Music" »

Albéniz's Artistic Legacy and Influence

Isaac Albéniz wrote for all kinds of genres, but his piano output stands out as his most significant contribution. He is considered one of the most important composers of Spanish nationalism, as his work evokes the rhythms and melodies of popular Spanish music.

The titles of his works often relate to specific areas of Spain. His compositions emphasize the expressive power of his melodies, which always achieve striking contrasts.

Featured Work: Asturias (Leyenda)

Asturias (Leyenda) is a renowned piano piece that forms part of the Suite Española, Op. 47. It is structured in three parts. A suite is a musical work containing several individual pieces; in this case, each piece within the suite evokes different... Continue reading "Isaac Albéniz: Master of Spanish Piano and His Enduring Legacy" »

Replay Lyrics - Hannah Montana ft. Iyaz

I think we got somethin'
Hey, it's my girl Hannah,
And Iyaz on the track right now
Hey, let's go

Tonight we're gonna get this,
Tonight we're gonna get this,
Tonight we're gonna get this,
We're gonna get this,
We're gonna get this.

Verse 1

I can hear you crankin' up them speakers
I don't really wanna show up any later
Because soon we're gonna party like it's New Year's

Yo, I'm lovin' all the music that they're playin'
But I ain't hearin' anything you're sayin'
Today we're gonna get this, gonna live exquisite
Oh oh, oh oh
(Get yo hands up)

Somebody dance beside me,
'Cuz I'm feelin' good at this party
Yeah, I'm fly just like Bob Marley
So here we go again, just lead up

Chorus

Are you the boy, the boy, the boy
The honest truth, the... Continue reading "Replay Lyrics: Hannah Montana and Iyaz" »

Catalan Theatre History and the Independent Movement

With the advent of the Civil War, many authors were forced into exile or wrote in clandestinity. The resumption of Catalan performing arts was slow and difficult during the years of the dictatorship. Notable figures include Manuel de Pedrolo and Joan Brossa. During the dictatorship, the creation of new voices from the universities brought about the movement called "independent theater."

In the late 1960s, changes were detected in the stage conception of the phenomenon: the theater of the author was under pressure, and much professional attention turned toward "staging." All this led to changes in conditions, replacing the concept of stage props and scenery to suit the needs of each spectacle.... Continue reading "Catalan Theatre History and Josep Maria Benet i Jornet" »

Spanish Baroque Poetry and Its Main Trends

Baroque poetry reached some peaks unrivaled in the history of Spanish poetry. In this period, two trends lived side by side:

• Popular: This trend is more accessible and includes carols and letrillas, composing songs in the traditional Castilian lyric or faux-romance, as well as themes of traditional ballads and the Romancero Nuevo. In these compositions, the standard is the clarity of expression and simplicity in language.
• Culta (Cultivated): Characterized by an intricate elaboration of language that requires the reader to perform a difficult intellectual exercise to understand the poems. Two streams stand out: Conceptivismo and Culteranismo. Both constitute the opposite point of the balance sought by

Mohamed Sharif Mendez Fernandez: A Hip-Hop Journey

Born January 17, 1980, Mohamed Sharif Mendez Fernandez began his artistic journey early. “I think it was back in '92 when I started writing my first poems, at 12 years old, just learning to live,” he recalls. During that time, he also met his crew, Tha Posse, and began to leave his mark in ink. It wasn't until '94 that they recorded their first song, titled “4 Devils in the Micro,” for a compilation called Zaragoza Zulu.

Four more years passed before they recorded what would be Tha Posse's first album, “Too Much Honor for Hunger.” This work earned them recognition and respect, crafted with a passion and sincerity that can only be achieved when writing from the heart. Since then, Sharif... Continue reading "Musical Legacies: Hip-Hop, Klezmer, and Spanish Songwriting Icons" »

Baroque Architecture

• Bernini: Colonnade of St. Peter's Square; Canopy to the Basilica of St Peter's; Church of San Andrea del Quirinale.
• Borromini: The Oratory of St. Philip Neri; Church San Ivo; Church Santa Ines in Piazza Navona; San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane.

Baroque Sculpture

• Bernini: The Rape of Proserpina; Tomb of Urban VIII; The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa; Fountain of the Four Rivers; Tomb of Alexander VII; David; Apollo and Daphne.
• Gregorio Fernández: Pietà; Made numerous altarpieces; Christ Recumbent.
• Salzillo: Eight processional statues (The Fall, The Prayer in the Garden, San Juan, The Kiss of Judas, The Last Supper, The Painful, Jesus Bound to the Column, The Ordeal); The Belén Riquelme family; Holy Family; St. Jerome Penitent; Prayer

Jazz in the 1950s

In the 1950s, the Black community lived in segregated areas of public life. The system sought to absorb them into the public sphere, where both whites and Blacks were incited to consume. As Black-produced records began to disappear, the public struggled to choose between musical styles. From 1950 onwards, jazz noted two trends: innovative followers of Bebop and new jazz classics.

Cool Jazz

Appearing in 1950, Cool Jazz emerged as a more serene and balanced evolution of Bebop. The frantic swing was replaced by a mechanical heartbeat, championed by artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Lewis, and Tadd Dameron.

Third Stream

This movement attempted to approach European music, presenting an idea totally opposed to traditional... Continue reading "Evolution of Jazz and Modern Music Styles" »

Religious Vocal Music

Religious vocal music: During the Renaissance the church underwent many internal struggles. Sacred music developed distinct forms associated with different movements and reforms.

Protestant Reformation Chorale

The Protestant chorale (promoted by Martin Luther) is a very simple composition, often based on popular melodies. It is typically for 4 voices with text written in German and uses a largely homophonic texture.

Anglican Reformation and Anthem

The Anglican anthem or hymn-like composition is related to the motet; it is usually written for 4 voices with English text.

Counter-Reformation and Council of Trent

The Counter-Reformation and the Council of Trent laid down doctrinal foundations and also established guidelines to be... Continue reading "Renaissance Vocal and Instrumental Music: Sacred & Secular Forms" »