music APPRECIATION - week 13
(EBOOK: Chapters 40-43)
lecturenotes_j_and_studyguide.pdf | |
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self_reliance.pdf | |
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MUSICAL EXAMPLES | ||
Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901), Rigoletto, Act III ("La Donna e Mobile"), 1851. Known for his 28 operas in Bel Canto style, in this aria from ACT III the Duke is being seduced by Madelina to fall into Rigolletto's murderous trap, which by the way, goes horribly wrong. A great example of a tenor voice played by Luciano Pavarotti. |
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Ruggero Leoncavallo, 1857 - 1919, Vesti_la_giubba, aria from Pagliacci (1892). This well known aria fits in well with the wave of opera verismo, based on realistic, everyday themes. In this scene, the clown Pagliacci must prepare for his act after just finding out that his wife has been unfaithful to him. Act! While in delirium, |
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Verdi, Requiem ("Manzoni"), 1874 Considered by many to actually be an unstaged opera. Extremely dramatic and powerful music for very large orchestra, off-stage brass choirs, and large chorus with soloists. |
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Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883), Tristan Und Isolde, Prelude (1865) Extremely chromatic music, so much so that it is considered as the beginning of ATONALITY heard later in the 20th Century. |
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Wagner, Die Walkure, Opening of ACT III (1856) [0:00 - 4:50] The second "music drama" from a four-opera cycle known as the RING, which is loosely based on the story by J.R.Tolkien. The Ring, composed over a span of 26 years, actually was premiered in its entirety in 1876 (the 15+ hours of opera was performed on four consecutive days). Wagner wrote with the LEITMOTIF concept (a small thematic idea that is always associated with specific characters). Wagner's operas did not necessarily contain typical operatic elements such as recitatives and arias. |
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Peter Ilyich Tchaikowsky (1840 - 1893), Prince and the Sugarplum Fairy, Nutcracker Ballet, 1892. Known for his exotic orchestrations and Asian and Arabic influences, this Russian composer is probably best known for his contributions to the ballet. |
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Tchaikowsky, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Coda (1892) Note the masterful orchestration (including the prominent use of the bell-like keyboard instrument called the celesta (which was relatively new to composers at that time). |
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Tchaikowsky, Romeo and Juliet (Fantasy Overture) (1870) This piece is well known for its beautiful melodies, lush harmonies, and masterful orchestration. It is really more of a symphonic tone poem but was originally referred to as an overture-fantasy. The famous love theme can be heard at about 8:59 or so. | ||
Tchaikowsky, 1812 Overture, Finale (1880) This well known piece has literally been kidnapped by the United States Fourth of July holiday. In fact, it was written to celebrate Russia's defense of Moscow against Nepoleon at the Battle of Borodino in 1812. The 18 minute score actually calls for real cannons to be shot rhythmically at the very end of the piece! The extremely exciting finale begins around 12:10. |