Transcript NAC2006
CLASSICAL MUSIC APPRECIATION
~
I love music but I don’t understand it at all ~
LEVELS OF LISTENING SKILLS
To listen for the pleasure of the senses only.
To recognize the expressive power and
meaning of music.
To listen to what is going on.
WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT
IS GOING ON?
Music has its intellectual and emotional appeal.
Music involves composer, performer and the listener.
~Great music is born of great effort by great and dedicated
minds and by greatly devoted listeners~
William Schumann
HOW TO BECOME AN INTELLIGENT
MUSIC LISTENER?
Understand the basic musical elements.
Be aware of how each musical element is used
and what happens to it in the music.
Hear the musical elements not separately but the
combined effect.
Develop an active listening skill – not just listening
but always listening for something.
To acquire through learning and experience, not
just methods.
RHYTHM
~ organizes music as it moves forward, each note
having its own length or duration ~
~ covers everything pertaining to the time aspect of
music ~
Beat – a unit of time (a regular pulse)
Meter – the recurrent pattern of beats at an
interval in groups of 2, 3, 4, etc.
Tempo – the speed of the beats
RHYTHM
The `Elephant’ from Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saëns (in 3)
RHYTHM
The `Toreadors’ from Orchestral Suite No. 1 by Bizet (in 4)
MELODY
~ consists of a succession of notes, varying in pitch, which
have an organized and recognizable shape~
~ is horizontal where the notes are heard consecutively ~
MELODY
The `Habanera’ from Orchestral Suite No.2 by Bizet
MELODY
`Dreaming’ from Scenes From Childhood by Schumann
HARMONY
~ is the study of chords and their relationship among one
another ~
~ is the sounding together of notes (vertical sound) known
as chords ~
MELODY vs HARMONY
HARMONY
~ It adds depth to the music ~
HARMONY
`Wedding March’ from A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream Op.61 by
Mendelssohn
HARMONY
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op.43 by Rachmaninoff
TEXTURE
~
is the combination of the use of horizontal and
vertical elements in music ~
Monophonic
– a single, unaccompanied melody
Polyphonic – 2 or more melodies moving
simultaneously
Homophonic – a melody with a chordal
accompaniment
FORM
~
is the structure and design of a musical work ~
~ builds on repetitions, contrasts, and variations of
musical materials ~
2-part Form: A B
3-part Form: A B A
Rondo Form: A B A C A D A etc.
Variations: A A’ A’’ A’’’ etc.
Sonata Form: Exposition, Development,
Recapitulation
FORM
Minute Waltz by Chopin (ABA FORM)
TONE COLOR
~ is the tone quality produced by a particular
instrument or medium ~
An orchestra consists of 4 instrumental family groups
creating a magnificent spectrum of tonal colors:
The
The
The
The
String Family
Woodwind Family
Brass Family
Percussion Family
TONE COLOR
`The Young Persons’ Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten
BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO.5
(FIRST MOVEMENT)
Background
Born in 1770 – 1827 (Classical Period)
In 1802 learned about his incurable deafness; tempted to take his
life.
His music generated a new power and heroism after his emotional
crisis – victory over despair
Symphony completed & performed in 1808.
Completely deaf in 1819; became a recluse
Preferred to walk in the country where he was inspired by many
musical ideas.
Musical style was revolutionary, a forerunner of the Romantic style
of music
BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO.5
Type:
Tempo:
Time:
Theme:
Form:
Texture:
Tone Color:
orchestral work
allegro con brio (quickly & vigorously)
in 2
rhythmic vs melodic
sonata-form
mainly homophonic
ideas transfer from instruments to
instruments in different combinations
AN AUDIO/VISUAL EXAMPLE
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor by Beethoven –
First Movement