Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Music for University

Impressionism and 20th-Century Techniques in Music

Debussy: Prelude Genre

What genre is Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun? Symphonic poem (tone poem).

Impressionism Versus the Romantic Era

How is the Impressionistic era different than the Romantic era? Static and nonfunctional harmony; focus on timbre instead of melody and harmony; suggestions of melodic ideas rather than complete ideas.

Ravel's Bolero and Orchestration

What is significant about Ravel's Bolero? The piece repeats the same two melodies but always in different groups of instruments. The piece is essentially a study in orchestration, an example of impressionists' focus on timbre over melody.

Term for Music with No Key

What is the term for music that has no key? Atonal.

Serialism

Vicente Martín y Soler (1754–1806)

Vicente Martín y Soler, a Spanish composer, was known primarily as an author of operas and ballets. His music was highly appreciated by his contemporaries; he composed over thirty operas and a dozen ballets for major theaters, including the San Carlo in Naples, the Burgtheater in Vienna, the Hermitage, and the King's Theatre in London.

His works were performed by the greatest singers of the era, such as the castrato Luigi Marchesi, tenors Giovanni Ansani and Michael Kelly, and sopranos Maria Balducci, Luisa Todi, and Nancy Storace. His ballets were choreographed by masters like Charles Lepicq and Domenico Rossi. He collaborated with the best librettists of his time, such as Pietro Metastasio and Lorenzo...

Musical Instruments: A Comprehensive Guide

Chordophones

Chordophones are instruments that produce sound by strings vibrating when plucked, picked, bowed, or struck.

Membranophones

Membranophones are instruments that are played by striking a membrane.

Idiophones

Idiophones are instruments that self-vibrate by being moved or struck in various ways.

Electrophones

Electrophones are instruments that produce sounds from electronic recreation and modification.

The Human Voice

The human voice is an aerophone. Although we have vocal cords, we need to exhale air for our voices to produce sound. We use our voices to express ourselves using words and music together.

Another way the human voice acts as a musical instrument is through the use of vocables, which are...

Neolithic Times and Ancient Traditions

Chinese musical civilization dates back to Neolithic times. Around 3200 BC, music was highly significant and well-regarded. Given the perceived power of music, it formed an essential part of the general educational system.

Chinese music was believed to act upon the universe, heaven, earth, and spirits. The number 3 was assigned to represent the sky, while 2 represented the earth. There is a notable similarity with Pythagoras' Theory of the Spheres and the medieval concept of perfection, where the number 3 represents the Trinity.

In 3000 BC, Ling Lun is credited with creating bamboo tubes that produced a series of fifths. The first lü (huang-zhong) served the function of the fundamental pitch.

The Shang and

Children's Literature: Definition and Scope

Definition

Children's literature encompasses:

• Texts written, if not exclusively for children, then at least with child readers in mind.
• All language-based artistic manifestations likely to interest children.
• Books suitable for developing readers.

Categories

Children's literature is often categorized into:

1. Works which weren’t originally intended for children.
2. Literature written specifically for children.
3. Instrumental literature.

Traditional Tales

Traditional tales have been handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Fairy tales are considered a sub-genre of the folktale, which is itself a sub-genre of folklore.

Legends

Legends are narratives about the achievements of real, half-real, or imaginary...

The Classical Period in Poetry: 16th-18th Centuries

Defining the Classical Series in Poetry

The Classical Series refers to a significant three-century period (16th, 17th, and the first half of the 18th century) during which poetry waged a fierce battle to break free from the restrictions imposed by more dogmatic poetic rules. This long period marked a transformation, after which poetry became a subject of literary study and criticism.

Poetic Revival in the 16th Century

The 16th century focused on the resurrection of a poetic culture that had been diluted by moral and religious influences during the later centuries of the Middle Ages.

Humanism: A Bridge to Modern Poetics

Humanism, as a movement that opened up man's unforeseen possibilities, combined...

Renaissance Art Masterpieces

Florence and Early Renaissance Innovations

Architecture

• Leon Battista Alberti, West Façade of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, 1458-1470
• Michelozzo di Bartolommeo, Palazzo Medici, Florence, 1445
• Michelozzo di Bartolommeo, Interior Court of the Palazzo Medici, Florence, 1445
• Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti, Sacrifice of Isaac, Competition Panel for East Doors, Baptistery of Florence Cathedral, 1401-02
• Lorenzo Ghiberti, East Doors, Gates of Paradise, Baptistery of Florence, 1425-52
• Bernardo Rossellino, Tomb of Leonardo Bruni, Santa Croce, Florence, 1444

Painting and Sculpture

• Cimabue, *Madonna Enthroned with Angels and Prophets*, c. 1280-1290
• Giotto di Bondone, *Madonna Enthroned*, c. 1310
• Giotto di Bondone, *Lamentation*

Some instruments featured a simple harmony based on fourths, fifths, and octaves, similar to medieval organum. The quality, richness of timbre, and softness are characteristic of Chinese music.

Historical Periods of Chinese Music

Yuan Dynasty: A Flourishing of Arts

In the 13th century, the Mongols came to China. This period boosted the arts, bringing new scales and instruments. The first operas of this dynasty appeared, and five works are preserved.

Qing Dynasty: Decline and Innovation

The Qing Dynasty saw a significant decline in the arts, with drama being the only genre that was salvaged. Symmetrical melodies were introduced, along with ternary rhythm.

Contemporary Era: Western Influence and New Forms

Joseph Amiot (1784) wrote a significant work...

Major Record Labels and Founders

• Decca: Major international label featuring both Buddy Holly and Bill Haley.
• RCA: Major international label that purchased Elvis Presley's contractual rights in 1955.
• Sun: Memphis-based independent label that originally signed Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.
• Atlantic: New York-based independent label featuring Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, The Coasters, and The Drifters.
• Chess: Chicago-based independent label featuring Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Bo Diddley.

Record Label Founders

• Sam Phillips: Founder of Sun Records.
• Ahmet Ertegun: Co-founder of Atlantic Records.
• Berry Gordy, Jr.: Founder of Motown Records.

Key Figures, Producers, and Innovators

Managers, Promoters, and DJs

• Alan Freed: The disc