The “signature” assignment for Listening to Music is a concert review. This is

GET A PROFESSIONAL PAPER DONE BY AN EXPERT

The “signature” assignment for Listening to Music is a concert review. This is an opportunity to apply your knowledge and listening skills to a program that features Classical music. Your orchestral program consists of the following orchestral works:1. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, op. 67 (Movement III)a. link to the video: Gustavo Dudamel Symphonie N 5 Ludwig van Beethoven ut mineur op 67 YouTubeb. Important info: performed by the Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Venezuela, conducted by Gustavo DudamelThird Movement (18:51 – 24:00)In the Scherzo section, Beethoven alternates between two themes. Theme No. 1, which is very mysterious, is presented in the low strings, then answered by the winds. Theme No. 2 recalls the famous four-note motif, emphatically declared by the French horns.The Trio section features a polyphonic texture, highlighted by an energetic theme that moves from low to high in the string family.When the Scherzo returns, the mood of this section changes. The strings are being plucked, known as pizzicato, and this makes this section more mysterious than before.Beethoven connects the third and fourth movements with a “bridge” section. This leads directly to the triumphant Theme No. 1 in the exposition of the fourth movement.Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 is one of the most influential instrumental works ever written – an emotional journey from adversity to triumph. It represents the musical bridge that Beethoven creates between the Classical and Romantic periods.Fourth Movement (24:01 – 34:42)c. Additional info: Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, III (Scherzo and Trio)performed by Apollo’s Fire, conducted by Jeannette SorrellListening Outline – Scherzo and Trio FormScherzo (Section A)Theme No. 1 (0:07 – 0:22) mysterious characterTheme No. 2 (0:23 – 0:39) “haunted” march, featuring the famous short-short-short-long rhythmic pattern from the first movementTheme No. 1 (0:40 – 0:57)Theme No. 2 (0:58 – 1:14)Theme No. 1 (1:15 – 1:34)Theme No. 2 (1:35 – 1:40)Trio (Section B) 1:41 – 2:56Low strings (cellos and basses) present a gruff, insistent theme (1:41)This theme is imitated by each of the higher strings: viola (1:45) and violin (1:49)The musical events above repeat:cellos, basses (1:54) – violas (1:58) – violins (2:02)Scherzo (Section A)Theme No. 1 (2:57 – 3:13) The character of Theme No. 1 has changed – it’s even more mysterious than the beginning of the movement.Theme No. 2 (3:14 – 3:29) The character of Theme No. 2 has changed. Now, it’s “whispered” by the clarinets, oboe, and plucked violins.Theme No. 1 (3:30 – 3:33)Theme No. 2 (3:34 – 3:55)Bridge (3:56 – 4:27) to . . .IV (Fourth Movement) – Sonata FormExpositionTheme No. 1 (4:28 – 5:02)Bridge (5:03 – 5:29)Theme No. 2 (5:30 – 5:56)Closing (5:57 – 6:26)Exposition Repeats (6:27 – 8:29)Development (8:30 – 10:28)Notice, at 9:56, that Theme No. 2 – of the Third Movement – returns!Recap (10:29 – 12:26)Coda (12:27 – 14:39)2. Vivaldi: Spring Concerto, Movement Ia. link to the video: Antonio Vivaldi – The Four Seasons – Julia Fischer – Performance Edit (Full HD 1080p)b. Important info: performed by the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-FieldsSoloistJulia Fischer, violinFirst Movement (0:23-3:23)The orchestra is dominated by the string family. The Baroque “rhythm section,” known as the continuo, is represented by the harpsichord and cello.A classic example of ritornello form. The essence of this form is the alternation between the orchestra (“tutti”) and the small group section that features the soloist.The musical reminders of Spring – birds, murmuring stream, thunder and lightening – are presented in the small group (“chamber”) sections.The Italian-born Antonio Vivaldi may be referred to as “the father” of the concerto. Vivaldi wrote over 500 concertos! And, like the concerto of the Classical period, most of his concertos are three-movement works that feature one soloist. This is called a solo concerto. The violin is the instrumental most often featured in a Baroque concerto. Vivaldi wrote a group of four violin concertos to evoke each season of the year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Collectively, these four concerti are known to the world as The Four Seasons.Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto is the most famous violin concerto ever written. (You put a check in the box for the Listening Survey!) The first movement features a catchy and memorable theme that alternates with sections that evoke springtime: the song of the birds, the murmuring of a stream, and the roar of thunder and lightening.Listen to Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto performed by the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. German-born Julia Fischer is the violin soloist and conductor.Movement I (0:23 – 3:23)SectionA – main theme in two parts – soloist and orchestra both play. Notice how the dynamics go from loud to soft for each part of the theme.B – the birds salute Spring with their festive song.A – the theme returns – but not all of it – just the second part of what you heard in the first Section A. This is called a partial return.C – the murmuring streamA – partial return of the themeD – thunder (in the orchestra) and lightening (solo violin)A – partial return of the theme (this time in a minor key)What type of form is suggested by the above?It’s like rondo form, but it’s a little different.Movement I of Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto is a classic example of ritornello form. In Italian, “ritorno” means return and “ello” means “little” – “little return.”One of the main aspects of ritornello form is the alternation between all musicians playing (the “tutti”) vs. the soloist and a small group of musicians (the “solo section”). Notice that the “solo section” is longer than the “tutti” section. So, the two “categories” of instrumental music are alternating in ritornello form: the orchestral (“tutti”) and the chamber (soloist with a small group of instruments).Vivaldi’s complete title for the Spring Concerto is Concerto for Violin, Strings, and Continuo, op. 8, no.1 We can learn quite a bit from this title about the work – and Baroque music in general:1. “Concerto for Violin” = Violin Concerto = Solo Concerto – the most common type of concerto.2. “Strings” refers to the Baroque orchestra. It’s a smaller orchestra than the Classical period and generally features the strings.3. “Continuo” is short for the term “basso continuo.” This may be thought of as the “rhythm section” of the Baroque period. Just about every type of work will include a keyboard (the harpsichord) and a low-pitched instrument (like the cello).Movement II (3:26 – 5:59)SectionA – evokes a pastoral scene. While the shepherd sleeps, his “faithful dog” is at his side. The violas imitate the barking dog with a repeating two-note rhythm. The solo violinist plays a tender, lyrical melody.A – The first section returns – the violin soloist may improvise a little more.Movement III (6:01 – 9:40)1. a. Tutti (6:01 – 6:30) evoking a “pastoral dance” (this is the “ritornello”)b. Soloist (6:31 – 6:51) solo violin with basso continuo2. a. Tutti (6:52 – 7:20) ritornellob. Soloist (7:21 – 8:14) solo violin with other violins, then faster rhythms3. a. Tutti (8:15 – 8:45) ritornellob. Soloist (8:46 – 9:10) solo violin with a sustained note in low strings4. a. Tutti (9:11 – 9:40) ritornello3. Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (This is a one-movement work.)a. link to the video: Mendelssohn – A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, Op. 21 (Kurt Masur, Gewandhausorchestra)b. Important info: performed by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, conducted by Kurt Masurc. Additional info: Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the greatest “translation” of a Shakespeare play into instrumental music.This type of work is a famous example of concert overture. So the “1-2-3” :Mendelssohn (Germany)A Midsummer Night’s Dreamconcert overtureA concert overture is program music for the orchestra. A 17-year-old Mendelssohn evokes the Shakespeare play through sonata form – and only one movement! After a slow introduction (four chords in the woodwinds), the musical events of the exposition of sonata form are now connected to the characters and events of Shakespeare’s play.Listen to Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dreamperformed by the legendary Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, conducted by Kurt Masur (1927-2015)Listening Outline(0:41-1:02) The slow introduction to the sonata form movement features four chords in the woodwinds.Exposition(1:03-1:51) Theme 1: “fairies” dancing in the enchanted forest(1:52-2:58) Bridge: music (full orchestra) of the Royal Court (Theseus and Hippolyta)(2:59-3:49) Theme 2: the young lovers (strings)(3:50-4:40) Closing: Bottom’s music (Bottom is part donkey – listen for the orchestral “hee-haw”)The exposition does not repeat.(4:41-7:02) Development(7:03-9:31) Recap(9:32-10:38) CodaSo, the musical events are not just “plain music” – as with Haydn and Mozart. They are connected to a story. You can hear a donkey in the closing theme!The development features Theme 1 – the fairies. Just before the recapitulation, you will hear the four chords (woodwinds) that served as a slow introduction to the work. The “recap” will then repeat the musical events of the exposition – just like you learned in class!