Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Music for Secondary education

Fundamentals of Sound Art

Rhythm: is the combination of figures and silences.

Melody: is the beginning of a composition consisting of a free combination of notes.

Harmony: controls the sound between a melody and accompaniment. It is based on chords, which are groups of three or more notes.

Shape and Texture

The musical form is a kind of texture.

Characteristics of Musical Forms

• Sonata: Consists of four movements: slow, fast, slow, and fast.
• Mass: Serves the Catholic rite; its parts are the Kyrie, Gloria, and Credo (Faith).
• Change: Refers to melody and rhythm changes.

Types of Musical Texture

Texture is the relationship between voices and sound types:

• Homophony: The voices move with different notes at the same time.
• Counterpoint: Occurs when each voice develops

The Evolution of the Classical Orchestra

The constitution of the orchestra has always depended on the economic possibilities and the tools available. However, in the Classical era, orchestras gradually leveled out so that in the late eighteenth century, we can talk of a standard classical orchestra with sections for strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The Sinfonia (Symphony) is a musical composition for orchestra structured in several movements.

Classical Opera and the Querelle des Bouffons

During the Classical period, public interest in opera increased, and composers found it to be one of their favorite forms. Opera Seria reached a high level of complexity by the mid-eighteenth century in France. In 1752, the performance of La Serva Padrona...

Joseph Maurice Ravel

• He was born in French Pays Basque and died in Paris.
• His mother was Basque.
• He played the piano.
• He attended the Paris Conservatory.
• Ravel was amazed by Asian music that he listened to during the Universal Exposition in 1889.
• Ravel's most well-known piece is the Bolero.

Ludwig van Beethoven

• He was born in Bonn, Germany.
• Beethoven played the piano.
• Ludwig lost three of his siblings and his mother.
• Beethoven suffered from deafness.
• He studied with Haydn and Salieri.
• Beethoven's most well-known piece is the Ninth Symphony.

Frédéric Chopin

• Frederick Chopin was a Polish composer.
• He fled Poland and went to Paris, where he died.
• He was a virtuosic piano player.
• He died at 39.
• Chopin's heart was taken from his corpse and sent back to his home

The Evolution of Romantic Ballet

Ballet continued evolving with technical virtuosity, new stage tricks, and more stylish postures and figures. The Italian choreographer Salvatore Viganò (1769–1821) was one of the first investigators of Romantic ballet. He invented "dance-dramas," which reinforced the expressiveness of dance and gave the dance troupe a dramatic use.

The premiere of La Sylphide (Paris, 1832) marked the event that began true Romantic ballet. During this era, pointe dancing (a significant advance in dance technique) became widespread, as did the white muslin tutu. Other notable Romantic ballets include:

• Giselle (1841) with music by Adolphe Adam
• Coppélia (1870) with music by Léo Delibes

The Russian Influence and Marius Petipa

In...

Historical and Sociocultural Aspects

1. God: The Renaissance witnessed a shift from theocentric to humanistic beliefs.
2. Humanism: Humanism emphasized the importance of human reason, individuality, and the pursuit of knowledge.
3. Geographical Discoveries: Explorations led to the discovery of new lands and the expansion of European empires.
4. Nation States: The Renaissance saw the rise of nation states and the decline of feudalism.
5. Printing Press: The invention of the printing press revolutionized communication and the dissemination of knowledge.
6. Patrons of the Arts: Wealthy patrons, such as the Medicis and Sforzas, supported artists and scholars.

Religious Music

1. Germany: German composers, such as Heinrich Isaac, developed complex polyphonic masses and

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...

The Harpsichord: A Precursor to the Piano

The harpsichord is a horizontally strung stringed keyboard instrument and a precursor of the piano. It is triangular in shape, consisting usually of two manuals controlling various sets of strings plucked by pivoted plectrums mounted on jacks. With horizontal strings which run perpendicular to the keyboard in a long tapering case, its sound features are gentle, metallic, and blurring.

The Baroque Flute and Its Construction

The baroque flute is made of wood, of which the most commonly used are boxwood, ebony, and grenadilla. It has a conical bore that is wide at the end with the embouchure hole and tapers to become significantly more narrow at the bottom. It has relatively small embouchure and finger holes....

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...

Musical Terminology and Forms

Terms (Across)

Eva Noblezada: Broadway Star and Singer

Eva Maria Noblezada is an American actress and singer, celebrated for her powerful vocal performances and compelling stage presence.

Notable Roles and Accolades

• Portrayed the lead role of Kim in the 2014 West End and 2017 Broadway revivals of Miss Saigon.
  • Won a 2015 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
  • Received a 2017 Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.
• Originated the role of Eurydice in Hadestown on Broadway.
  • Received her second Tony Award nomination in 2019 for Best Actress in a Musical.
  • Won the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite Leading Actress in a Musical.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Eva Maria Noblezada was born on March 18, 1996, in San Diego, California....