Transcript File

G.F Handel
W.A Mozart
G. Rossini
BAROQUE PERIOD: C.1600-1750
• The word ‘Baroque’ was originally used to describe highly
decorative and grand architecture. Musicians took up the word
and began to use it to describe the musical style of the period
• The Violin family began to take shape, as did the Orchestra –
with the string family at the heart of it. By the end of this period
all music was based on the major/minor key system
• New styles and structures were introduced, notably the Opera,
Oratorio, Overture, Suite and Concerto
• The giant composers of this period were J.S Bach and G.F Handel
• The most distinguishing feature of this period is the use of the
Basso Continuo: Here the Bass line is played on instruments
such as Cello, Double Bass or Bassoon while the continuo is
played by the Harpsichord or Organ
MUSIC FOR THE ROYAL FIREWORKS: G.F HANDEL
•
This piece was written to celebrate an end to the war between France & England. King
George II organised a giant firework display and asked Handel to compose a piece to
accompany the display.
•
During the event 101 Cannons were fired, and the music began. Unfortunately the
fireworks were a disappointment, a wooden building constructed for the event went up in
flames and created a mass panic. Many people were trodden on and injured. Despite
this Handel’s music was a huge success.
•
Originally this music was written for wind and percussion instruments due to the event
being outdoors. The orchestra consisted of 24 Oboes, 12 Bassoons, double bassoon, 9
trumpets, 9 horns, 3 pairs of timpani and side drums. Later Handel reduced the number
of instruments and also added some string parts.
•
The suite consists of 5 movements. Bouree, Siciliano, Allegro and Minuets I and II
MOVEMENT 1: BOUREE
•
A Bouree is a fast, light footed dance.
•
In this case the movement has been written for strings, oboes, and bassoons
only.
•
The movement is in binary form. (Two clear sections, each repeated) The whole
piece is repeated again, this time performed only by the strings.
Time signature
Anacrusis
Key Signature
Time signature
Intervals
Sequence
Paired Quavers
Dotted notes
Major key
Binary Form
BOUREE: SECTION B
Octave leap
Chromatic
Accidentals
Grouped Quavers
Minor Key
Modulation
Sequence
Anacrusis
Ledger lines
Major Key
Trill
MOVEMENT 2: SICILIANO – LA PAIX
•
A Siciliano is a flowing dance with a swaying rhythm, originating from Sicily
•
La Paix means Peace. It is thought the music represents the illumination of a
figure of peace attended by Neptune (God of the Sea) and Mars (God of War)
•
In this movement Handel uses all his instruments except drums. Violins,
trumpets and oboes play the melody. Occasionally joined by the horns
Compound time
Dotted rhythms
Broken Chord
Staccato
legato
Sequence
Key signature
Semiquaver
ALLEGRO: LA REJOUISSANCE
•
Allegro: An Italian tempo marking, meaning lively
•
This was written to represent the general rejoicing of the British people at the
signing of the Peace treaty.
•
The first played by trumpets, drums and strings. Handel then directs that the
melody is repeated another twice. The second time by the Horns and Bassoons
without trumpets and the final time with all instruments together
Anacrusis
Broken Chords
Rests
Phrase
Key Signature
Time signature
Sequences
MINUET I
•
A minuet is a Dance in 3/4 time
•
This Minuet is graceful and scored for only strings and woodwind
•
The movement is played twice
Major Key
Key signature
Time signature
Repetition
Sequences
Trills
scale
Dotted Notes
MINUET II
•
This minuet is much more sturdy than the last one, making it a fitting finale to the
Suite
•
This minuet is played 3 times: The first by trumpets, woodwind, strings and kettle
drums, the 2nd by horns, oboes, bassoons and kettle drums and finally by the
whole ensemble including side drums.
•
Although the fireworks were a huge disaster, Handels music made up for the
disappointment at that time.
Tonality
StructureSequences
Intervals
CLASSICAL PERIOD C. 1750-1810
•
The term ‘classical’ is often used when people try to generalise music into 2
sections – classical and popular. However as musicians we specifically
mean music composed between 1750 and 1810
•
During this period artists preferred grace and beauty, perfection of form and
design, clarity and simplicity, proportion and balance. This was reflected in
the music. Composers used a rich variety of contrasting themes, rhythms,
keys and dynamics with frequent changes of timbre and mood.
•
W.A Mozart and Joseph Haydn were the main composers, although
Beethoven also became very influential towards the end of this period.
•
During this period the Orchestra grew significantly, the Classical Sonata was
developed and ‘entertainment’ works became more common – particularly
chamber music
•
The main types of Vocal music composed was the Mass and opera.
FIRST MOVEMENT FROM EINE KLEINE NACHTMUSIK
W.A MOZART
• The title of this piece means ‘ a little night music’. The
piece is also described as a serenade, which means
‘evening music’
• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is scored for a small string
orchestra and is believed to have been composed to
be performed during a good meal.
• Serenades were often meant for outdoor
performances – possibly to be performed under
someone’s window
• The piece is in 4 movements. The first movement is in
sonata form, which has 3 main sections, rounded off
by a Coda
SONATA FORM
Exposition
Development
Recapitulation
First Theme
(home key)
Various keys
(not home key)
First Theme
(home key)
Bridge Passage
(changing key)
Bridge Passage
(Altered to lead to:)
Second Theme
(different key)
Second Theme
(home key)
Coda
Ending
Exposition: First theme
•
First theme (Part A) is played in Unison by the Whole Orchestra and is in
the key of G major.
•
First theme (Part B) is played by the Violins with a chord accompaniment
• First theme (Part C)
Exposition: Bridge Passage
•
Notice the range of dynamic contrasts and modulations as we progress
through this short section
Dynamics
Dotted rhythms
Syncopation
Ties
Slurs
Tremolo
Trill
Modulation
Exposition: Second Theme
•
Notice we are now in a new key!
Part A
Part B
Slurs
Ties
Staccato
Ornaments: Trills
Legato
Triplets
Repetition
Canon
Exposition: Coda
•
The Coda rounds off this section and effectively end the Exposition section
DEVELOPMENT SECTION
•
In this section, we hear all the themes introduced in the exposition. This time
they are repeated in a variety of different keys, with some ‘surprising modulations.
•
There is a short ‘link’ section which carries us back to our original key of G major
in the Recapitulation.
Romantic PERIOD: C. 1810-1910
•
The Renaissance period saw an era where composers moved away from the strict
rules of form and structure in a bid to show more intense and powerful emotions.
•
Harmonies were much fuller, more use of discords and chromatic notes and
adventurous modulations
•
The piano was improved dramatically, and the orchestra was also extended
significantly giving the composers a far wider range of pitch, volume and timbre.
•
The romantic composers produced a wide variety of works ranging from small,
solo works to huge orchestral works requiring an enormous number of musicians.
•
The main composers of the time were: Wagner, Mahler, Tchaikovsky and R.
Strauss
•
Nationalism, opera, Lied and Symphonic Poems were popular types of works.
OVERTURE TO WILLIAM TELL
G. ROSSINI
•
William Tell was a 14th century Swiss hero in a time when Switzerland was ruled
by Austria. William Tell refused to bow to the Austrian governor. As punishment
William was made to shoot with a bow and arrow an apple placed on a young
boys head. Thankfully, William sliced the apple and did not harm the boy.
•
The governor, a man called Gessler, realised that William had a 2 nd bow. When
asked what this was for, William replied ‘ It would split your heart if the boy had
been harmed’. Instead of releasing William, Gessler ordered him to be taken to a
dungeon on the far side of Lake Lucerne, but a violent storm helped William
escape
•
William Tell did eventually shoot Gessler in the heart and then encouraged the
Swiss to revolt against the Austrians.
•
It was a German dramatist ‘ Schiller’ wrote a play on the story, which Rossini used
as a stimulus for his Opera
William Tell Monument
Altdorf, Switzerland
OVERTURE - INTRODUCTION
•
An overture is a piece played by the orchestra before the curtain rises. It uses
themes from the main opera.
•
In this case the music is divided into four sections: Unfortunately, Rossini did not
include the ‘apple’ incident.
•
The piece begins with 5 cellos, accompanied by other cellos, double basses and
kettle drums paint a picture of a sunrise over the Alps near Lake Lucerne.
Theme A and B represent this:
Theme B
SECTION 2: ALPINE STORM
•
Rustling strings suggest the rising wind and the first spatters of rain are
represented by the woodwind
•
The storm breaks furiously, represented by the Trombones and the Bass Drum
imitating thunder.
•
With a rumble of strings and kettle drums the storm fades into the distance.
SECTION 3: SHEPHERDS ON THE MOUNTAIN
•
Rossini uses the clear tone of the flute to represent the blue sky after the storm.
The cor anglais imitates a cow herd playing a Swiss melody on the alpine horn
•
A decorated flute melody suggests bird song, hovering and fluttering, while the
triangle represents the peaceful but sad sound of the cow bells.
SECTION 4: REVOLUTION
•
The peace is shattered by a sudden fanfare on trumpets and horns entering in
canon
•
This is followed by an exciting rhythmic gallop, describing the overthrow of the
Austrian invaders.