First of all...

GO TO THIS WEBSITE RIGHT NOW:

Comparing Musical Periods

OK, now that we are past that - 

I wanted to share a conductor that is kind of changing things up - Gustavo Dudamel, currently the Musical Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  Oh yeah, and he's 31 years old.

So in case you are keeping score...

Fahnders - teaches at his old high school.
 Dudamel - one of the world's premier interpreters of instrumental music.

Here are some recordings of him conducting.


Symphony No. 9, New World Symphony, by Dvorak
(performed for the Pope)

Note how the beginning sounds ALOT like the music for the movie Jaws...

Symphony No. 5, by L.v. Beethoven

It's hard to pull off a nearly flawless performance.  Keep in mind that when symphonies record pieces, they tend to do it a couple of times, and then take the best one.  In live performance, you only get one shot.  And what a heck of a shot this was...

Bolero, by Maurice Ravel

Be patient, and watch the entire piece unfold.  (But think about the poor snare player!)

The 20th Century (1900-2000)

Since we haven't had much time to reflect on the 20th century as a musical period, it does not have a cool name like the others.  Maybe some day it will have a neat title, but for now it is just "20th Century Music."

The 20th century really got rid of all conventions previous to it, and really forced the music community to ask "what is music?"  Does organization really matter, or can music be derived from chaos?

The 20th century also allowed us to focus on what our minds allowed, particularly with the advent of radio, television and the internet.  You are no longer forced to listen to whatever your local orchestra is playing - you can simply turn on your computer and find whatever you want.  Furthermore, it has all been chronicled so that you CAN find it.

20th Century Music Examples 

20th Century History and Composers 

Adagio for Strings, by Samuel Barber

Barber's piece is so incredibly moving, and is always associated with sadness and despair.  (Just watch the video.)

"Mambo" from West Side Story, by Leonard Bernstein

The first time I hear this, I think - HOW AWESOME IS THIS PIECE!?!?!?

The second time I hear this, I think - HOW CRAZY MUST THIS MUSIC LOOK!?!?!?!?

Seriously - watch the percussion section earn their money.  And note how many more percussion instruments there are as opposed to some of the Baroque/Classical/Romantic pieces you've seen.

Suite "1922", Op. 26, by Paul Hindemith

Although he is mainly known for orchestral works, here is a fantastically dizzying piano composition.  Have fun following it.

"Classical Symphony" by Prokofiev

Even though it was written in the 20th Century, can you guess why it is called the "Classical" Symphony?

The Romantic Period (1825-1900)

Most musicologists (those who study music history) classify Beethoven's 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy) as the beginning of the Romantic Period in music.

Romantic Period Website

A concise description of all things Romantic

We'll begin with the work that really set the stage for the Romantic Period in music:

Symphony no. 9 (Choral), by L.v.  Beethoven

Although known for the fact that he added a CHOIR to a symphony orchestra (which had never been done before), this symphony is INCREDIBLY over the top, and absolutely sublime in its beauty.  Here is the entire work - about an hour long.

"Der Erlkoenig" by Franz Schubert

as performed by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, one of the most recorded voices of all time

This is an example of Lieder (German art song).  The song is a conversation between a father, his sick son, and the Erlking (who has come to receive the son in death).  The father is riding with the son on a horse - presumably to the safety of a doctor or bed.  The father tells the son to hold on, but the son tells his father that the Erlking is nearer and nearer.  Eventually the Erlking enters the conversation, convincing the son to come with him.

Note how the accompaniment figure actually sounds like a horse riding in the night, how the melody changes for each character, and how the music creates the panicked mood.

"Prelude", Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner

Wagner considered Opera to be the Gesamtkunstwerk (german for "complete work of art"), in that it included every element of artistic medium and interpretation, and as a result, focused mainly on it.

This piece is so wonderfully chromatic.  Wagner does an amazing job of forcing dissonance, and resolving it differently each time to create unexpectedly beautiful results.  It just makes your heart want to jump out of your chest - hence the term, romantic.

It should also be noted that Wagnerian Opera is some of the more difficult opera to sing for a few reasons.

1) It never repeats.  Every time it does SOMETHING different, no matter how small.  So it can really be a bear on the brain.  But this was done in an effort to imitate our real existence... nothing is ever the same the second time around in the human experience.

2) His orchestration is INCREDIBLY full, and is basically a symphony orchestra in the pit.  This was difficult for singers to match, which is why it takes a certain freak-breed of singers to be able to perform this music without spitting up blood afterwards.  It is not recommended for those with lighter voices.

Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss

Although made famous again in the 20th century as film music in "2001: A Space Odyssey", this piece was actually written in 1896 as a tone poem.

What is a tone poem?  I'm so glad you asked.

A symphonic poem or tone poem is a piece of orchestral music in a single continuous section in which the content of a poem, a story or novel, a painting, a landscape or another (non-musical) source is illustrated or evoked.

In this case, Strauss read a treatise by Friedrich Nietzsche of the same name, and based his work on what he read. I would summarize it here, but I am not smart enough to do this in less than 1,000 words.  

Google it.

The Classical Period (ca. 1750-1825)

Again, I would like to remind all parties involved that the dates behind each of these periods are not exact.  Composers all over the world didn't wake up on January 1, 1750, and begin writing new music - this was a gradual shift that occurred sooner in some places than others.

Classical PDF from UK

A Nice, Concise Website

And now, for a few good examples of Classical music.

"Eine kleine Nachtmusik" by W.A. Mozart

Mozart is a true master - you could scour a piece of his for years and still not completely understand the entire thing.  As far as noting its Classical characteristics, note how BALANCED it is.  The fast and furious is always followed by smooth and sustained.  The high is countered with the low.  Just amazing.

Piano Quartet in g minor, third movement, by W. A. Mozart

It is important to note that this piece is in rondo form, meaning that a repeated bit of material is seperated by other alternative sections of music.  An example would be ABACADA.

Symphony no. 94, "Surprise", by Haydn

Feel free to turn it up LOUD and guess where the surprise is.  :)

The Baroque Period (1600-1750)

To capitalize on one of our listening examples today, I have found a fantastic website filled with identifying characteristics of the Baroque Period.

Baroque Music Website

Also, I have posted some Baroque pieces which display those characteristics most evident during this time period.  (What a weird sentence... you know what I mean.)

"Spring" from The Four Seasons, by Vivaldi (Italian)

"Air (on a G String)" by J.S. Bach (German)

"When I am laid in Earth" from Dido and Aeneas by Purcell (English)

A quick note about this piece - this is an aria (italian for "song") from the opera Dido and Aeneas, which was the Prescribed Work for those testing in '09 and '10. 

0:00 - 0:48 - This section of the piece is a recitative of sorts.  The orchestra is only playing cadential figures, while the voice is free to go as fast or slow as needed to pull as much from the text as possible.  While it is not TOTALLY ametrical, it certainly isn't following a certain tempo.

0:48 - 4:06 - This is the aria proper, the song with the singable melody and recurring sections.  Probably one of the more beautiful melodies ever written.  Enjoy.

Coronation Anthem: Zadok The Priest by G.F. Handel

It is important to note that when William becomes the King of England, this will probably be played at his Coronation Ceremony.

"Happy Spring Break" Edition!

Hopefully this post finds you well - enjoying our beautiful Texas Spring.

Reminder - you have an assignment due the Tuesday you come back.  

And now, for some spring music... see you in a week!

The Rite of Spring, by I. Stravinsky, as performed in Fantasia (the original)

"Spring" from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi

A Medley from Spring Awakening, as performed at the Tony Awards

(be advised, there is some PG-13 stuff in here)

(also be advised, you'll see a few Glee people in here)

(and further be advised, this musical is awesome)

Great Music Thursday...

Here is some great music.  Because it's Thursday, that's why.

Helter Skelter, by the Beatles

Angie, by the Rolling Stones

The Star Spangled Banner, performed by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock