Watch the four videos of the following performances. Give a musical analysis for each. DO NOT INCLUDE ANY MATERIAL THAT IS NOT PART OF THE VIDEO. This is not a research paper, and I do not want you to mention anything that you do not see or hear in the performance itself. This includes the comments that are posted by other people on the site. You will be given a “0” for plagiarism if you discuss anything outside of the performance.
I. Objective description of the performances.
Begin with a strong introduction. Example: ‘For this essay, I watched and analyzed four video recordings of music performances.” For each piece, write the title of the piece, the composer, names of the performers or the conductor and soloists, their instruments, the number of movements, and the names and tempo markings of the movements, if appropriate. Foreign words and terms should be in italics. All of this should be in the first paragraph.
In the next paragraph, discuss the set-up of the stage, the audience, and the overall ambiance. How were the performers interacting with each other? What was their body language? How were they able to cue each other? What was the setting: was it formal or informal?
II. Relate to our Music Appreciation class.
Find a way to put your class learning to use. Analyze each of the four pieces in different paragraphs. Relate your observations to class lectures, discussions, recordings, and readings. Use the following criteria from the course: Unity and Variety, Structure of the Music, Purpose of the Music, Tempo, Dynamics, Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Form, and Historical Period.
Compare and contrast the pieces, noting similarities and differences. You may also compare the pieces with other compositions that you have studied in class, noting similarities and differences.
Additionally: For the Schumann quartet, be sure to discuss each movement. How were the movements similar/different from each other?
For the Piazzolla piece, talk about the interaction between the Primo (pianist playing the higher register) and the Secondo (pianist playing the lower register). Who has the rhythm and who has the melody?
For the Ravel piece, there is one repeated rhythm (ostinato) throughout. How does Ravel make this interesting?
For O Sole Mio, both singers are tenors. Do they sound the same, different? Why?
III. Personal Reaction and Closing Paragraph.
This is the paragraph where you can mention your personal feelings about the four performances. It is important to keep your subjective (personal) remarks in this section and not include them in your objective analysis. Find a creative way to conclude your essay. This only requires two or three sentences. The conclusion should not be abrupt, and should tie in with the rest of the essay.
1. Robert Schumann: Quartet in E Flat for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello. Op.47
2. Astor Piazzolla: Libertango
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8BFRL3-eCg
3. Maurice Ravel: Bolero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhhkGyJ092E
4. Lyrics by Giovanni Capurro. Music by Eduardo di Capua and Alfredo Mazzucchi: O Sole Mio
0 comments