The two excerpts from Puccini''s Terandot were both filled with power and full voices. In the finale, a massive scene is portrayed with hundreds of bodies on the stage. It was a grand performance with many different layers to it, with a very complicated set. However, the "Nessun Dorma" scene, depicts quite the opposite. Though most was also in full voice, the scene depicted a singular character alone on a simple set. Without any complicated choreography, the character simply stands and sings his heart out. These two scenes show how the Terandot is a multifaceted work. 

Step 2

• Describe what musical elements give Hoedown from Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring feelings and images of America and the wild west

(Musical Elements; Pitch, Rhythm, Dynamics, Tempo, Texture, Timbre, Form, Purpose, Harmony, Melody, Expression, Mood, Language, Style, etc.)

Right from the start, I feel like I am riding a horse! The steady tempo, along with the wood block-like beat, feels like a galloping stallion in a field. It is a very major, upbeat piece, which gives me a feeling of a wide open field on a sunny day. It is very powerful, but has dynamic contrast as well. The piece keeps moving forward, and never slows a beat. It is very pushing, but still have the lightness of springtime with the use of high strings. The blend between the high, spring like instruments, and the large, horse like instruments perfectly depicts the scene that Copland is trying to portray. 

Step 3

• What musical elements heard in Psycho by Herrmann are used to enhance the drama of the film?

In the sountrack for Psycho, the musical choices is very whimsical, yet dissonant and angsty. The screechy strings moving in minor seconds creates discomfort for the listener, and keeps them on their toes eager for more. Not a huge variety of instruments are used, but the diversity in the strings keeps you wanting more. Throughout the piece, there are moments where it gets slower and quieter, but keeps the minor feeling. 

• What musical elements are similar to Dance of the Young Girls from The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky?

(Musical Elements; Pitch, Rhythm, Dynamics, Tempo, Texture, Timbre, Form, Purpose, Harmony, Melody, Expression, Mood, Language, Style, etc.)

In the right of spring, the strings contain a very similar feel to the ones that are in the music by Hermann. They for the most part, maintain a steady pulse with repeated 8th notes, with different accents most notable in the right of spring.  Its minor qualities also remind me of Hermann, as I am left feeling a little uncomfortable, yet on the edge of my seat. 

Step 4

• Describe how musical elements heard in The Godfather by Fellini are used to enhance the setting of the film/Italy?

(Musical Elements; Pitch, Rhythm, Dynamics, Tempo, Texture, Timbre, Form, Purpose, Harmony, Melody, Expression, Mood, Language, Style, etc.)

This piece is very legato throughout, which immediately gives a feeling of floating along a river in Italy. The choice of instrumentation is also very light which gives the listener a sense of serenity. The harmonies are so tight and move together, and gives the piece a sense of unity and cleanliness. It has a very relaxing timbre, and the rhythms are not complicated. 

Step 5

• Use the following 7 excerpts to guide your responses for Holst's The Planets 

A.  Excerpt 1

B.  Excerpt 2

C.  Excerpt 3

D.  Excerpt 4

E.  Excerpt 5

F.  Excerpt 6

G.  Excerpt 7

Step 1

• Three of Phillip Glass's film scores have been nominated for Academy Awards. If these excerpts were used in a film, describe what the scene might look like based on the musical elements used to evoke certain emotions, thoughts or images

A.  Metemorphosis Five:

When listening to this piece, I imagine a character going on a journey or traveling somewhere, possibly to a destination that is unknown, or one that does not bring excitement. It is definitely a dreary, rainy setting. 

B.  The Kiss. 

This piece has a very similar mood to the metemorphosis five, where the setting seems dreary and more grey. However, this piece has a little more energy in it, which makes me feel like conflict is going to arise. The 16th notes are more rapid, which gives it this vibe. As the piece progresses, there are more sustained notes, which includes more of a tonal and mood shift than the metamorphosis. This makes me think that the scene is over a longer period of time, with more events occuring. It could possibly be the story of a relationship between two characters, and how it ebs and flows. 

Pair and Share:

My pair and share partner is Mary Turner. When she listened to Metamorphosis 5, she imagined a tall tower spirling up, the setting very peaceful and relaxing. The scene is a magical sight, though the melody is repetitive. I imagined the same sort of serenity in mine, but my scene was darker and a little more melancholy.  In her interpretation of he Kiss, the setting is in a time before modern technology, in an old mansion. She sensed tension as the music builds, and a feeling of unsettlement arises. When the peaceful melody plays, she pictured a garden or beautifully decorated hedge  maze. I had a similar feeling in my piece where conflict may arise because of the melancholy energy in the piece. In my mind, this piece actually was taking place over a long period of time, possibly with multiple characters. 

Step 3

• Provide a free written narrative in response to Musique de Tables (1987) by Theirry de Mey (b. 1956)

This piece written for hands and planks of wood, actually tells more than you would think just from hearing the instrumentation. The piece rises and falls, having polyrhythmic moments, to a single beat in one hand. There were many different ways of playing the plank of wood, from stroking it lightly, to hard slaps and claps. This piece does take patience to thoroughly enjoy, but if you delve deep into the rhythmic art of the piece, it is really interesting.  

Step 4

•  What  features categorize Imaginary Landscape by John Cage as 'Chance Music'?

In this piece, the use of different radio stations to create a unique piece. This is categorized as chance music as it is unknown what music will be playing on the stations at the given time, which is what creates uniqueness of the clusters of sound each time the piece is performed. 

Step 5

• Provide a free written narrative in response to Drumming by Steve Reich

This piece for multiple drum players is one that builds and changes form as the piece progresses. It starts out as a single drum player playing one simple beat. as more and more add, an offbeat is added, and the rhythms grow in complexity. Eventually, two drum players are left playing a complex, syncopated rhythm. It is quite a long piece, that somehow they all end at the same exact time with little to no cue at all. 

Step 1

• Provide notable world/historical events that punctuated the late Twentieth Century

• 

• Define the following terms associated with late Twentieth Century art and music

1. Avante-Garde: The avant-garde are people or works that are experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society. It may be characterized by nontraditional, aesthetic innovation and initial unacceptability, and it may offer a critique of the relationship between producer and consumer.

2. Serialism: a compositional technique in which a fixed series of notes, especially the twelve notes of the chromatic scale, are used to generate the harmonic and melodic basis of a piece and are subject to change only in specific ways. The first fully serial movements appeared in 1923 in works by Arnold Schoenberg.

3. Chance Music: Aleatoric music, or chance music, is music in which some element of the composition is left to chance, and/or some primary element of a composed work's realization is left to the determination of its performer

4. Minimalism: a reductive style or school of modern music utilizing only simple sonorities, rhythms, and patterns, with minimal embellishment or orchestrational complexity, and characterized by protracted repetition of figurations, obsessive structural rigor, and often a pulsing, hypnotic effect.

Step 2

•  Describe the process of preparing a piano for a performance of Prepared Piano by John Cage 

With the use of objects such as screws, bolts, and little strips of rubber, you are able to change the timbre of the strings when hammered by the keys. The process calls for putting these objects in between the keys to dampen the sound of the strings. Different size screws create different timbres, as well as the placement of the bolt and the material of the bolt being used. 

Step 3

• Describe musical effects of Sonata II for Prepared Piano by John Cage 

With the prepared piano timbre, this sonata has many different unique timbres which gives you a very peculiar feeling. It features sounds not normally heard in the average music listener's ears, which is very intriguing to listen to. It is a very atonal, mysterious piece, which raises the hairs on the back of my neck. 

Step 4

• Describe the process and music effects of David Bryne's Playing the Building auditory installation 

In the roundhouse, David Bryne installed a very strange musical instrument that is connected to different motors, air pumps, and hammers, that creates different pitches and timbres. The instrument does go from low to high, however there are no real distinct tones or notes. The entire system is very mechanic, and produces very industrial sounds. 

Step 5

Provide a brief narrative explaining proper audience etiquette to include suggested do's and don'ts, advice on when to clap and when to not clap(jazz, rock, classical), electronic devices, entering/exiting, etc. 

• No talking, unless audience participation is requested by the performers. If something must be said, whisper it quickly. Excessively shushing a talkative neighbor can be just as disturbing.
• Use good posture. Auditorium seating is often arranged so that the person in the seat behind can see between the two seats in front, so slumping sideways or lounging on a partner’s shoulder blocks the view.
• Remove hats
• Noises off. Turn off cell phones, beepers, audible watches, and any other sound-making gadgets before any performance.
• Lights out.  Don’t forget, the screen on your mobile device can be a distraction too.
• Snap, crackle, pop. No rattling of candy boxes or ice in cups, shaking popcorn containers, or slurping drink
• Enter the auditorium quietly. Once you have been seated, be alert to activity on the stage as the musicians take their place for the concert.
• When the conductor enters, it is customary to applaud politely. Whistling, yelling, or  screaming is not appropriate at any time before, during, or after a concert
• Never stand or move around while music is being performed. It distracts listeners  around you, as well as the performers. If you must leave for any reason, wait until a  piece is finished, and the audience is applauding. Also, return to your seat only  between numbers
• Clapping is the appropriate way to show appreciation for the performance rather than  whistling or cheering.
• Watch the conductor when the music stops to decide whether or not to applaud.  Some musical works have several parts or movements and the audience is expected to applaud only after all movements have been performed.