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

National Conservatory of Art (1919) and Galician Drama School (1922)

Armando Cotarelo Valladores

Two variants:

• Popular Theatre: Created in the 1930s by emigrants. Aimed to instill pride and sentiment among Galician people, avoiding alienation.
• Varela Buxán (Justice Sailor D1): Created the Comp. d VB.

Cultural Developments

Incorporated new modern techniques into intellectual content. Examples include:

• E. Amor (Farsas and Puppet Theatre, Theatre for the People)
• Luís Seoane (A Soldadeira)
• Wind Choído, XL Franco Grande (The Innkeeper Auto)
• Manuel Mª (Auto Prisoner)
• Ricardo Carballo Calero (The Snake, The Revolt)
• Álvaro Cunqueiro (The Uncertain Nor is Don Hamlet - recreation)
• B. Graña (20 Thousand Pesos Crime - Ruhr drama)

Groups involved:

• Group Dawn (Ernesto

Andalucía

• Flamenco: Flamenco singing, guitar, castanets, tambourine.

Aragón

• Jota: Ternary rhythm, strong rhythmic incision, percussion instruments accompanying, emphasis on melody.
• Albada aurora dances.
• Instruments: Flageolet.

Asturias

• Dances: Vaqueiras, giraldilla, pericote of the plains, preindango of Cabrales.
• Instruments: Corri corri of bagpipes, tambourine, rebec, hurdy-gurdy.

Balearic Islands

• Jotas and Boleros: Music for dance, 3/4 rhythm, sung in duet in thirds.
• Instruments: Gaita (bagpipe), flute, and drum (Xeremies).

Cantabria

• Balls campestres: The March (communal song, characteristic repetitive phrases) and Picayo (songs).

Canary Islands

• Isa: Accompanies the launching of castanets, loose ball, the Canary version of the Peninsula's dance.
• The sirinoque

Neoclassicism

Neoclassicism was an intellectual reaction to the frivolous whims of Rococo. Enlightenment thought triumphed, illustrated by the discovery of Pompeii.

Characteristics

Neoclassical works emphasized the relation of space and structure, volume, and geometric forms. The exterior reflected internal structure, with horizontal and vertical lines and austere, classical styles. Proportion, balance, and harmony were central.

• Sculpture: technical perfection and thematic diversity, with multiple viewpoints that idealized the Greek and Roman past.
• Fusion of Neoclassical features: the use of noble materials, as seen in the work of Antonio Canova.
• Painting: historical themes. Scenes from antiquity reflected the political events of the time, with compositional

Renaissance Europe: History, Humanism, and Music

1. Renaissance and Historical Context

Europe's history in the 15th and 16th centuries was marked by advances in technology and science, and by the discovery of America (1492).

2. Humanism

Humanism was a secular, anthropocentric cultural movement that emerged in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe. It focused on the classical Antiquity, particularly the classical philosophy, and placed humans at the center of the universe.

3. The Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther, a German monk (16th century), criticized and opposed the Catholic Church. Protestantism began when he was excommunicated, and his ideas were adopted in northern Europe. In response, the Church, under Emperor Charles V,... Continue reading "Renaissance Music and History: Key Developments in Europe" »

Traditional Anonymous Poetry and Troubadours

Traditional anonymous poems and parallelistic songs are a significant part of Galician literature. Troubadours also played a crucial role, exploring historical themes like "Pranto da Frouseira", a lament for the death of Pardo de Cela's son, and "Sack of Cangas by the Turks", a secular piece.

Renaissance and Baroque Periods

The Renaissance in the 17th century saw the rise of academic poetry, exemplified by the "Sonnet of Monterrei", an anonymous, dialogued piece featuring a knight, a lover, and a shepherd. The "Sonnet to the Countess of Altamira", dedicated to Alonso de Ercilla, is another notable work. The Baroque period brought forth works like "Respice Finem", "Sonnet to a Skirt", and "Decimas do... Continue reading "Galician Literature: From Medieval Times to the 19th Century" »

A nova narrativa galega

A nova narrativa galega: entre os anos 60 e 70 xorde unha nova xeración de autores que promoven unha renovación importante da nosa narrativa, influenciados polas correntes literarias europeas do momento.

Estes son os seus trazos básicos:

Temas

• A soidade e a angustia absurda ante a existencia ou o mundo.
• A conciencia urbana, os espazos oníricos, as pesadelos inquietantes e os ambientes claustrofóbicos.

Técnicas narrativas

• Narración en primeira persoa, en forma de monólogo interior.
• Quebra temporal: o tempo non avanza de forma lineal, con avances e retrocesos.
• Pluriperspectivismo: diferentes voces narrativas.

Autores representativos

Algúns dos autores da nova narrativa galega son: Ferrín, Casares, G. R. Mourullo, María... Continue reading "A Nova Narrativa Galega: Temas, Técnicas e Autores" »

Physical Descriptions and Nature

• Fat: Obese, plump, paunchy, chubby, big, bulky, thick, greasy.
• Bud: Button, shoot, gem, branch.
• Plant: A young boy distinguished by his beauty.

Religious and Secular Terms

• Profane: Indevoto, irreligious, freethinker, godless. Something not sacred.
• Pagan: Polytheistic, fetish, idolater, superstitious. Describes that which is not Christian.
• Lay: Secular, profane. Does not belong to the church or clergy; independent of the church.

Situational and Descriptive Terms

• Inopportune: Inappropriate, unwise, improper, untimely, inconvenient, inconsistent. Not desirable; happens at a less convenient moment.
• Incredible: Amazing, inconceivable, unacceptable, unheard of. That which does not look real.
• Cram: Fill, full, clog. To fill a

Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68: An In-Depth Look

Beethoven greatly admired Brahms. Brahms was slow in writing his first symphony, taking 14 years. The language of Brahms and treatment of the innovative musical form, though looking to the past to the music of the great composers.

Instrumentation

• 2 Flutes
• 2 Oboes
• 2 Clarinets
• 2 Bassoons
• Contrabassoon
• 4 Horns
• 2 Trumpets
• 3 Trombones
• Timpani
• Strings

Formal Structure

C minor, E major, A-flat major, C major (related by thirds)

1st Movement (C Minor)

Starts with an introduction on a tonic pedal, stubbornly repeated. Several lines overlap, and expressive dissonance is present. The second idea is soon to be reminded further and provides a reason of Brahms's own. The transport turnover is repeated, after the... Continue reading "Brahms' Symphony No. 1, Op. 68: Structure & Analysis" »