Basic Music is an introduction to the theory rudiments and ✓ Solved
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Basic Music is an introduction to the theory rudiments and basic performance practices of music. This course is designed for students with no prior musical training or formal background. Basic Music, which is a hybrid class, is designed as a one-semester course into two components:
- Lecture class (all content delivered online)
- Performance lab class (meets twice per week)
Both components must be completed to successfully complete Basic Music.
Two Performance Reports: Two performance reports (ca. 2-3 type-written pages each). Students will write a brief 2-3 page report/critique for each performance. Plagiarism is PROHIBITED. If you quote or paraphrase program notes or other sources, you must indicate as much with foot- or endnotes.
First report is due Oct. 19 (choose one of these three): Mozart: Symphony No. 40, Bach: Cantata BWV 113, Brahms: Violin Concerto Op. 77.
Second report is due Dec. 16 (choose one of these three): Bach: Cantata BWV 140, Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1, Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 95.
Reports which are turned in during the week after the due date will be graded down one letter grade. Reports may be turned in earlier than the due date.
Performance Report Guidelines Listening to live and recorded performances is an essential part of learning to appreciate and understand music. Here are some general guidelines to help you listen, think, and write about a concert.
Basic Information to Include
- When and where did the concert take place? How long did it last?
- How many pieces were performed? What were they called and how many movements were in each? Who composed each piece?
- Who were the performers (name of the ensemble and/or names of the soloists)?
- If there was a conductor, what was his or her name?
- What types of instruments were played and/or what types of voice parts were featured?
- Was there any special purpose to the concert? If so, explain.
General Questions to Keep in Mind
- What was your general reaction to the concert? How did the performance sound to you?
- Was the music performed well?
- Which composition did you like best? Why?
- Which composition did you like least? Why?
- Did any of the compositions trigger an emotional response from you? What were your specific feelings or thoughts in response to the music?
- Is this type of concert experience new to you? How do you think that might influence your perceptions of what you heard and observed?
- Genre (symphony, concerto, string quartet, etc.)
- Stylistic period (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.)
- Mood (emotion conveyed by the music and performers)
- Pitch and how it reflects changes in mood
- Rhythm
- Dynamics
- Tone color
- Mode (major, minor)
- Harmony/Melody
- Motives/Themes
- Texture (monophony, homophony, polyphony, etc.)
- Form (sonata form, A B A, theme and variations, etc.)
- When was each of the pieces from the performance composed?
- Why were they written?
- What is each composer’s background?
- Brown, M. M. (2019). Music Performance and Analysis. New York: HarperCollins.
- Darrow, A. (2021). The Art of Classical Music: Insights into the Performance. London: Routledge.
- Frederickson, L. (2018). Understanding Classical Music Performance. Boston: Cengage Learning.
- Griffin, R. (2020). The Emotional Power of Music. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Kennedy, M., & Bourne, J. (2020). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Lehman, D. (2021). Classical Music Analysis: Techniques and Questions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Marks, J. L. (2020). The Symphony: A Study in Form and Style. New York: Norton & Company.
- Schwartz, M. (2019). Music's Influence on Emotion: A Theoretical Perspective. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
- Smith, R. P. (2022). The Evolution of the Violin Concerto. San Francisco: Random House.
- Thompson, I. (2019). Classical Music: A Comprehensive Guide for New Audiences. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Specific Points to Consider
You may want to focus your discussion and analysis of the concert on one or more points regarding the following musical terms, elements, and concepts discussed in class.
How does this concert compare to the performance(s) you attended previously? Describe the behavior of the performers and the audience. What, if any, interaction occurred between the two? What kind of behavioral expectations do performers and audiences bring to the concert? How are these expectations satisfied or frustrated?
Outside Research: You may choose to add depth and detail to your report by briefly researching the pieces you heard at the performance. The following questions will help to guide your research.
Academic Integrity
Cheating and plagiarism policies are strictly enforced. Penalties range from a 0 on a specific assignment to expulsion from the university.
Conclusion
This course aims to ensure that you have a full understanding of the music theory and performance practices. If you have any problems, do not hesitate to contact your instructor. Good luck!
Paper For Above Instructions
In this paper, I will discuss my experience attending a live classical music concert, focusing on two significant performances: Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 and Brahms’ Violin Concerto Op. 77. Throughout the analysis, I will delve into the performance elements observed and how they related to academic music concepts we've studied in class.
Concert Overview
The concert, held at the renowned Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, took place on a cool Friday evening in October. The performance lasted approximately two hours, including an intermission, and included four pieces of classical music. The ensemble, the San Francisco Symphony, featured a variety of instruments typical of an orchestra: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The performance was led by conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, a prominent figure in the classical music scene.
Performance Analysis
Starting with Mozart's Symphony No. 40, the performance captivated the audience with its dramatic expressiveness. Mozart composed this piece during the Classical era, which is characterized by clarity and balance. The mood of the symphony fluctuates between turbulent and serene, accentuated by dynamic contrasts throughout the movements. The strings maintained a robust yet agile presence, delivering tightly synchronized rhythms while adhering to the nuanced interpretations of the dynamics.
Moving on to Brahms’ Violin Concerto Op. 77, the soloist, Augustin Hadelich, portrayed an exceptional level of technical ability and emotional depth. From a technical standpoint, Hadelich demonstrated remarkable control over pitch and dynamics, drawing listeners in with both the lyrical passages and virtuosic flourishes typical of Romantic-era concertos. The interaction between soloist and orchestra was noteworthy, with the violin occasionally becoming a leading voice yet harmoniously blending with the accompaniment.
Emotional Impact and Audience Reaction
One of the most striking aspects of the concert was the emotional response elicited from the audience. The intensity of the music during both performances was palpable, leading to moments of collective silence followed by exuberant applause. Personally, I found the emotional depth of Brahms' concerto compelling, as it evoked a range of feelings from nostalgia to exhilaration.
The musicians appeared well-prepared and engaged throughout, with evident chemistry between the conductor and the orchestra. They demonstrated a remarkable ability to adhere to rhythmic precision while allowing for expressive freedom, enhancing the concert experience as a whole.
Comparative Analysis
Compared to other concerts I have attended in the past, this experience stood out in terms of both technical execution and emotional resonance. Previous performances often had less cohesion between the musicians and a lack of depth in expression. The San Francisco Symphony delivered a performance that seamlessly blended musicality with precision, illustrating the highest standards of classical music performance.
Conclusion
Overall, this concert reaffirmed my appreciation for classical music and its ability to convey profound emotional experiences. By analyzing the performance through the lens of music theory, I have gained deeper insights into what makes performances successful. In the end, music serves not just as entertainment but as a medium through which we can learn, express, and understand our emotions.
References
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