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

Audition 1: Beethoven's Symphony No. 5

Work and Composer

Symphony No. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven. He was born on December 16, 1770, and died on March 26, 1827.

Genre

Instrumental and secular because it is a symphony.

Style

Between Classicism and a middle period called the Heroic Period.

Texture

Counterpoint: Musical phrases develop independently of one another.

Movement

Allegro

Rhythm

Short figures (predominantly)

Timbre

Orchestra with brass and percussion

Character

Nervous, intriguing

Context

To be filled with a mysterious story.

Text

No text can be found as it is an instrumental work.

Audition 2: Dvorak's New World Symphony

Work and Composer

New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak. He was born on September 8, 1841, and died on May 1, 1904.

Genre

Instrumental and secular... Continue reading "Classical Music Analysis: Beethoven, Dvorak, Verdi, Vives" »

Medieval Music Essentials (400s–1400s)

Sacred Music: Plainchant

Plainchant, the music of the Church during the Medieval period, is characterized by its basis in modes, a free-flowing rhythm, and a single, unaccompanied melody line (monophony).

Modes: Building Blocks of Plainchant

A mode (from the Latin word manner) is a type of scale. Modes served as the fundamental building blocks of plainchant. There are seven distinct modes, each possessing a unique character or mood.

Neumes: Early Music Notation

Neumes were the earliest form of musical notation. These symbols, written above the Latin text, indicated basic pitch direction. They were developed as tools to support, not replace, the practice of oral tradition. Around 1029, Guido d’Arezzo significantly... Continue reading "Medieval Music: Plainchant, Troubadours, and Polyphony" »

Music Concerts

Yes, I usually go to large concerts but it depends on the concert and if I like the music or not.

For example, in my opinion, large classical music concerts are a bit boring, since it isn't my musical taste. But the concerts of rap, pop, etc., are more entertaining because I like that music.

In conclusion, going to a large concert depends on the tastes of each person, as they may be boring or not.

1. No, he doesn't, because according to the text writer, the performance may be a single musician.
2. Yes, I can, because concerts are held in a wide variety of settings

Medieval Music: Instruments, Forms, and Composers

A successful minstrel was an all-too-good storyteller, knowing how to play the drums and cymbals.

Medieval Instruments

• Hurdy-gurdy (Zanfona)
• Cornett (Cornetto)
• Citole (Citole)

What is an Organum?

It is a polyphonic form to make the second part of plainchant more interesting.

Composers in Ars Nova

• Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377)
• Philippe de Vitry (1291-1361)
• Francesco Landini (1335-1397)

Matching Characteristics of Medieval Music

• Nawbas: Muslim kingdoms - secular songs
• A book copied in the 14th century with 150 pages: Llibre Vermell
• Visigoth chant: Sacred song
• 400 monophonic songs: Cantigas de Santa Maria
• Codex Calixtinus
• Codex Las Huelgas: Polyphonic music

A characteristic that does not correspond to Renaissance... Continue reading "Medieval and Renaissance Music: Instruments, Forms, and Composers" »

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In music, a sound that has a definite pitch is called a

a.  noise.         b. dynamic accent.     c.  sound.        d.  tone.

2.  The vibrations of brass instruments come from

a.  the vibrations of a string                b.            a single reed.

c.  the right hand of the musician.       d. the musician’s lips.

3.  The ___________ belongs to the woodwind family

        a. trumpet                    b. flute

c.  violin                     d. organ

4.  Which of the following percussion instruments have indefinite pitch?

        a. Snare drum              b. Chimes

c.  Tympani               ... Continue reading "Music Theory Fundamentals: A Quiz" »

Every director has their own style. Some of them can be what audience is Expecting but others impress with their talent they get to have. Tim burton, Has always been recognized of his uniqueness of his many films. But what Exactly makes Tim Burton a unique director? Above all, it’s the clear vision that Comes from creativity and the way of approaching every story in a personal way And applying a talent for original style. Burton’s has a variety stylistic Techniques; his magnificent style is what brings to life the magic of the world And his characters and how is mix with the real world.

Burton’s style is very extravagant which connects with millions and his Films have universal appeal, his stories are often focused on freaks and Loners.... Continue reading "FAmily matters" »

Ancient Greek Music

Time passed, and Mediterranean culture became dominant in the ancient world, particularly in Greece. Greek mathematicians and scientists discovered patterns and created formulae to define them. This explains how Greeks approached music, from a very mathematical perspective, but also a religious one.

• Apollo

  Music was originated from the god Apollo. Music influenced human actions and thoughts. It was believed that music could cure illnesses and modify behaviors.

• Discoveries

  Pythagoras discovered some basic intervals. Later on, they discovered different effects on the listener. The Greek world agreed that music should be an important part of education.

• Orpheus and Eurydice

  Orpheus was a poet and musician, a great master of the lyre,

The Spanish Golden Age

The Spanish Golden Age was the period between the second half of the 16th century and the late 17th century.

Literature

Miguel de Cervantes wrote his great novel Don Quixote. Lope de Vega and Pedro Calderón de la Barca wrote famous plays. Luis de Cangora and Francisco de Quevedo were the poets of the time.

Architecture

Architecture was characterized by the use of simple materials, such as bricks on stone, which are covered by ornate decoration. Many buildings were religious, but civil buildings were also constructed. The building of city squares (or squares was a characteristic feature of the Spanish Baroque period.

The Churriguera brothers were the outstanding Baroque architects. They built their own style, which was called... Continue reading "Spanish Golden Age: Literature, Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting" »

Renaissance

The foremost characteristic of the Renaissance is the rebirth of the classics (Greece and Rome).

If during the Middle Ages God was at the center of everything, now it is the contrary. Humans are at the center of everything (anthropocentrism).

Reasoning, not faith, is what guides life.

Art is seen as an end in itself (not something to please God) and its goal is to achieve the ideal form of beauty based on the harmony and proportions found in nature.

All artistic expressions found inspiration in old Rome. The only exception was music, which had to find its own style far from medieval music.

Melody

• It refers to the way notes are written horizontally on the score, how they are performed one after the other.

Harmony

• It refers to the way notes