Transcript Lecture 18
Review questions • What is program music? • What is a symphonic poem? • What kind of piece is Smetana’s The Moldau? • What is this symphonic poem about? • Why is it a nationalistic piece? Review questions • What types of works did Dvorak write? • What piece did we study by Dvorak? • What is Dvorak’s significance for American music? Announcements • Exam II postponed until April 8 • Exam will cover everything through next Tuesday (4/1) • Review sheet will handed out after spring break- and posted on web site tomorrow • www.colorado.edu/music/Courses/em us1832004 19th c. choral music • Not the most important genre of the period, but some great examples… • Like Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis • And Brahms’s German Requiem Johannes Brahms • A more conservative composer • Wrote absolute music in traditional forms • Known for symphonies, chamber music, piano music, and the German Requiem Brahms: German Requiem • The title Requiem refers to the Catholic funeral mass • But this is not the standard Requiem text-it is based on a German translation of Psalm 84 • Written after the death of Brahms’s mother and his friend Robert Schumann (the composer) Brahms: German Requiem • Text deals with death and the afterlife German Requiem • The entire work is in 7 movements which form an arch • 1-7, 2-6, 3-5 are alike • Movement 4 is the centerpiece (Bach also was fond of this way of structuring his music this way viz. the Cantata #80 we studied) German Requiem mvt 4 • Listening guide 50 • Rondo form (with literal return of the text)-what is rondo form? • ABACA • Sections contrast in texture and character, and shifts from major to minor keys • Each section appropriate for text Romantic Opera • national styles... • France • Grand Opera- huge spectacles • Opera comique/Lyric Opera-- smaller, with spoken dialogue (Carmen) Romantic Opera • Italy-- Bel canto singing style-lyrical, emphasis on singer • Germany-- not too much development until Wagner (next class’s topic) Guiseppe Verdi • 1813-1901 • Most famous Italian opera composer of the period • Another composer with nationalist sympathies: active in the Italian independence movement • His Hebrews chorus from Nabucco (1842) became an anthem for this movement Guiseppe Verdi • Also served in the Italian Parliament • Wrote operas over a period of 50 years-last one written at age 80 • Big changes in style during this time Verdi’s Operas • Verdi’s music is divided into “numbers” (arias, recit, choruses), yet fluid drama • Followed conventions for ariasrecitatives-ensembles • Great emphasis of the singer: parts were written with specific singers in mind Verdi’s Rigoletto • Listening guide 51 • Story… • Based on Victor Hugo play, The King is Amused • Rigoletto is a court jester, enemies place a curse on him Verdi’s Rigoletto • Gilda is his daughter • Duke is a nasty seducer of women an he’s after Gilda • Gilda gets abducted by Rigoletto’s enemies • Sparafucile is an assassin slated to kill the Duke Verdi’s Rigoletto • Gilda and Rigoletto watch as the Duke seduces Sparafucile’s sister • Gilda offers herself to be killed in place of the Duke • Rigoletto gets a body bag; thinks the dke is inside, but it’s really Gilda • Curse is fulfilled Verdi’s Rigoletto • Act 3 excerpts... • Duke-sings a famous tuneful STROPHIC song: Woman is fickle--ha ha • Song captures the Duke’s character perfectly Verdi’s Rigoletto • Ensemble… • classic ensemble technique: each character responds differently to situation; all sing together, but in different styles (like Mozart’s Figaro Verdi’s Rigoletto • Listen for differences in style: Maddalena and the Duke are passionate, singing in long lyrical lines.. • While Gilda is angry: her singing is short and punctuated