Transcript WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24

Chapter 10: PERFORMANCE
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Performer – brings to life printed
symbols laid out by a composer
Much is left to the performer
Improvisation – music created at
the same time it’s performed
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Vital aspect of jazz
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Prior to 19th century – performers
were expected to add certain
ornaments, or embellishing tones,
not in the printed music
Music prior to 1600 – challenging
because many times the composer
was not specific in stating which
instrument should be used, plus
instruments are different
THE PERFORMER
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Many great performers are seen
that way and encouraged before the
age of 10
Natural gifts are not enough
Virtuoso – an artist of
extraordinary technical mastery
LISTENING TO A VIRTUOSO
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Egyptian Piano Concerto No. 5, Mvmt. III
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Composer: Camille Saint-Saens
Pianist: Charles Dutoit
Video:
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src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MCyJ_1
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allowfullscreen></iframe>
THE CONDUCTOR
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Conductor – the leader of a group
of musicians, represents
responsibility and authority
Baton –
Other hand –
Conducting styles vary greatly
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Most of a conductor’s work is done
in rehearsal
Must be good listener
Usually memorize the score
Traditionally thought of as most
glamorous role in music profession*
Concertmaster – first violinist
RECORDED AND LIVE
PERFORMANCE
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Today, most contact with music
comes from recordings
1888 – phonograph became
commercially available
1900-1910 – several milestones:
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First recordings of an opera and
symphony
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Dubbing
Last 250 years – concert hall
listening developed, it’s new and
now becoming obsolete
Recordings of music have become
the background to life, not the
focus, but they have positive
implications, too…
JUDGING PERFORMANCE
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Responses to a musical
performance are HIGHLY subjective!
MUSICAL STYLE
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Musical style – a characteristic
way of using melody, rhythm,
timbre, dynamics, harmony,
texture, and form
Chapter 11: MUSICAL STYLE
Refers to a characteristic way of
using melody, rhythm, tone color,
dynamics, harmony, texture, and
form
Musical Style
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When you hear an unfamiliar piece on the
radio and identify it as jazz, Italian opera, or
a Beethoven symphony, etc.. You are
responding to the music’s style.
Styles change from one era to the next
To fully understand the style of a
composition, one has to be aware of its
function in society.
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History of musical styles can be
summarized and studied as the
following musical eras:
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Middle Ages (450-1450)
Renaissance (1450-1600)
Baroque (1600-1750)
Classical (1750-1820)
Romantic (1820-1900)
20th Century (1900’s)