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

1. The Birth of Opera

1.1 Origins in Florence

Opera emerged from Count Bardi's intellectual circle in Florence, known as the "Camerata Fiorentina." This group pioneered the concept of accompanied monody, which became the foundation of the opera genre.

1.2 Characteristics of Opera

Opera is a vocal art form that combines music, drama, and stage performance. It typically involves an orchestra, choirs, and soloists, and is structured in three main parts:

• Overture: An instrumental introduction that sets the tone for the opera.
• Sung Parts: Featuring soloists (main characters) and choirs (supporting characters). Two main singing styles are used:
  • Aria: Expressive melodies for conveying emotions and introspection.
  • Recitative: Declaimed singing for advancing

Masterpiece

a. A 'masterpiece' is painted by a master who is capable of materializing his own vision as well as expanding the vision of those viewers

b. The artist through his piece can transform a personal experience into a universal one.

c. Stays with you for the rest of your life. Impactful.

d. Feelings should be evoked.

e. Style, Technique, Balance and harmony. Motive.

f. Window to the past.

g. Examples

• The Pieta
  1. Michelangelo’s sculpture of Virgin Mary holding her dying son.
  2. Masterpiece that is simply perfect
  3. Nothing can be done to improve the piece
  4. The figure of Jesus is out of proportion compared to Mary
  5. The statue flows, and the clothes/tunics flow in an extremely realistic manner.
  6. Great attention to detail.
  7. Renaissance ideals of classical beauty

1. Humanism

• Philosophical and cultural movement
• Emerged in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries
• Emphasized an anthropocentric viewpoint, reason, experience, and curiosity
• Drew inspiration from Antiquity and promoted the use of modern languages

2. The Spread of Humanism

• Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in 1440 facilitated the spread of knowledge
• Academies served as cultural centers, fostering intellectual exchange
• Universities played a crucial role in promoting classical culture
• Humanist scholars traveled extensively, exchanging ideas and fostering collaboration

3. Science

• Scientists conducted experiments to test and validate their theories
• Astronomy, medicine, and physics emerged as prominent branches of scientific inquiry
• Geographical discoveries

Fans of Peking Opera are familiar with its cultural connotations. Theatre-goers know the unique language in the colors, patterns, and historical background of facial makeup. The ethics and wisdom of the characters are reflected in the makeup, as is the philosophy of traditional Chinese culture. The makeup indicates which character/role the actor is portraying. Good vs. evil, or loyal vs. wicked, as well as the personality, age, and temperament are revealed in the colors and patterns. Colors represent the following:

• Red: braveness and loyalty
• Black: uprightness
• White: cunning and craftiness
• Blue: valor and power
• Yellow: insidiousness and cruelness
• Green: stubbornness and stalwartness

Patterns are based on folklore and literature. In “Pilgrimage to... Continue reading "The Cultural Connotations of Peking Opera: Makeup, Music, and Martial Arts" »

Blues vs. Jazz

Blues is more vocal and jazz is more instrumental. That's the principal difference. An inside joke in the jazz & blues circles goes, "A blues guitarist plays 3 chords in front of thousands of people, and a jazz guitarist plays thousands of chords in front of 3 people." The main focus of jazz music is the dynamics and improvisations of an ensemble, while blues music is usually centered on a single guitar player/vocalist, and the personal lyrical content of the song. Most jazz tunes are purely instrumental, while a blues song always contains lyrics. Blues music was around before jazz and can be considered an element of jazz music. However, jazz would not be considered a part of blues music per se.

Country Music

Country music is... Continue reading "A Guide to Popular Music Genres: From Blues to Rap" »

Every musical instrument has its own timbre. It is very important for a composer to know about the timbres and expressive qualities of them.

Impressionism

Characteristics: Conveys moods and emotions through tone color.

Origin: France

Composer: Claude Debussy

Musical Features: Slow tempo, lack of contrast or shape, focus on tone color.

Expressionism

Characteristics: Expresses emotion through music intended to create discomfort and unease.

Origin: Austria & Germany

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Musical Features: Harsh, tense, uneasy, and uncomfortable melodies and harmonies; dissonant and dark.

Serialism

Characteristics: A systematic approach to composition using a row of pitches derived from the chromatic scale (12-tone technique).

Origin: Austria & Germany

Composer: Arnold Schoenberg

Musical Features: Dissonant, atonal (lack of tonality), based on a pre-ordered series of pitches.

Audience

1. Main Genres of Literature

1. Name the 3 main genres of literature in general

• Poetry, Drama, and Fiction (or Prose).

2. Defining Children's Literature

2. Define children’s literature in your own words.

• Children’s literature typically consists of short stories that are appropriate for children in terms of emotional and moral value.

3. Children's Literature Sub-Genres and Examples

• Adventure: Robinson Crusoe

• Toy: Winnie-the-Pooh

• Fantasy: The Hobbit

4. What is a Fable?

• Fables are humorous short stories featuring animals as main characters, each conveying a particular moral lesson. Aesop, who lived around the 6th century BC, is credited with writing many well-known fables.

5. The Works of James Janeway

• James Janeway wrote A Token for Children in 1671 (not 1692)

Early Life and Training in Bonn

Born on December 16, 1770, in Bonn, Germany, Ludwig van Beethoven's early life was marked by rigorous musical training under his demanding father. Driven by the ambition to mold him into "the new Mozart," Beethoven's father's methods, coupled with his struggles with alcoholism, impacted the young Beethoven's personal and academic life. Despite facing challenges, Beethoven's exceptional talent was evident from a young age. By the age of seven, he was already captivating audiences with his piano recitals, earning the admiration of renowned musicians like Christian Gottlob Neefe, who became his mentor.

A Budding Musician in Vienna

At the age of 16, Beethoven embarked on a journey to Vienna, the music capital of the... Continue reading "Ludwig van Beethoven: A Musical Prodigy's Journey" »

Revenge Tragedy

Revenge tragedy is a genre of English theatre written from the mid-1580s to the early 1640s. The main themes of these plays are ghosts, incest, rape, torture, perversion, murder, betrayal, madness, strong passions, bloody violence, etc. Some of the most influential writers of this time were John Ford, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Kyd, John Marston, John Webster, George Chapman and Cyril Tourneur. We can distinguish some plays such as Kyd’s Spanish Tragedy, which initiated the dramatic archetype, inventing the basic formula.

Notable Works

Another crowd-pleasers tragedy was Thomas Middleton’s ‘The Revenger’s Tragedy’ (1606). We can distinguish Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ even if others claim that it is not a true Revenge Tragedy.... Continue reading "Influence and Themes of English Revenge Tragedy" »