MU100 - Lecture notes 1-15 PDF

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MU100 lecture notes at CSU. Weekly lectures are combined into topics. Teacher was Jeff LaQuatra....

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L 1 - Elements of Music Friday, December 8, 2017

10:44 AM

- Melody ○ A series of pitches organized into a recognizable line  Pitch: single musical sound (tone)  Phrases: musical sentence  Range/register: distance between the lowest and highest note - Harmony ○ Foundation to the melody through chords underneath the melody ○ Often played by piano, guitars, voice, etc. - Dynamics ○ The volume of music pp

p

mp

mf

Very soft

Soft

Med. Soft

Med. Loud Loud

Pianissimo Piano

-

-

-

-

-

f

Mezzopiano Mezzoforte Forte

ff Very loud Fortissimo

○ Crescendo: to gradually get louder ○ Decrescendo: to gradually get softer Articulation ○ Legato: smooth ○ Staccato: detached ○ Slurred: connected ○ Accent: stressed Tempo ○ The speed of music ○ In music, specific words describing tempo in order from slow to fast ○ Grave, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, molto allegro, vivace, presto Rhythm ○ The ways musical sounds are organized in time  Notated in a way that allows musicians to group beats together in clear pattern ○ Beat: a regular rhythmic pulse Meter ○ Notated at the beginning of a composition with a time signature ○ The way of organizing rhythm and beats ○ The top number denotes the number of beats in each measure (duple, triple, quadruple, etc.) ○ The bottom number denotes the note value that receive the beat ○ Subdivisions  Simple: a single beat is divided into two equal parts □ "one &, two &, three &, four &"  Compound: each beat is divided evenly into three parts □ "one & uh, two & uh, three & uh, …" Timbre ○ The quality of sound characteristic (tone color) of a particular voice, instrument, or ensemble ○ Use descriptive adjectives to describe the timbre of a sound  Ex. Rough, brittle, dark, pure, clean, etc. ○ Timbre is affected by  Material the instrument is made of (wood, metal or other) and by the individual

manner in which a musician plays it  Pitch - higher notes have a lighter, thinner quality of sound than those at the lower end of an instrument - Form ○ How a piece of music is constructed  Binary: AABB  Ternary: ABA  Verse/chorus - Classical Voice High voices Medium voices Low voices (Typically female (Typically male) (Typically male) Soprano

Counter tenor

Baritone

Alto

Tenor

Bass

○ Coloratura Soprano: very high range, rapid scales and trills ○ Lyric Soprano: light voice, graceful and charming character, usually the main female love interest ○ Dramatic Soprano: full and powerful voice, passionate ○ Lyric Tenor: bright and light voice, usually the main male love interest ○ Dramatic Tenor: powerful voice, heroic roles ○ Basso Buffo: low voice, comic roles, rapid singing ○ Basso Profundo: low range, powerful, dignified roles - Instrument Families ○ String  Violin (Highest Range)  Viola  Cello  Double Bass (Lowest Range)  Harp  Guitar ○ Woodwind  Flute (Highest Range)  Oboe  Clarinet  Bassoon  Saxophone (Lowest Range) ○ Brass  Trumpet (Highest Range)  Horn  Trombone  Tuba (Lowest Range) ○ Percussion  Snare Drum  Cymbals  Tambourine  Castanets  Gong  Maracas Keyboard ○ - String Quartet ○ 2 Violins, Viola, Cello - Woodwind Quintet

○ Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn

L 2 - Music Types Tuesday, January 30, 2018

4:10 PM

- Classifying Music ○ Framework  Sound  Melody  Harmony  Rhythm  Texture  Form ○ Consider whether you are listening Subjectively or Objectively ○ Technical elements (instruments, numbers of musicians) ○ Style = manner in which art is created ○ Genre = category of artistic composition ○ Aesthetics - Main categories ○ Art music  Classical  Intellectual and spiritual  Highly trained  Aesthetics/beauty ○ Popular music  Commercial value  Highly consumed (sheet music, recording industry, live concerts)  Fickle market  Training not always required ○ Folk music  Societal influence  Oral history  Functional ○ World music

L 3 - Medieval Era Thursday, February 1, 2018

3:44 PM

- Medieval Era ○ 450-1450 ○ Began with the fall of the Roman Empire in the early 5th century and ends sometime in the early 15th century ○ The foundation was laid for the music notation and musical theory practices that would shape Western music in later periods ○ Roman Catholic Church is the center of the life socially, politically and spiritually ○ The church had a monopoly on the creation of music, and pieces were passed down by word of mouth - Sacred Vs. Secular ○ Text  If a medieval piece of music is sung in Latin, you can determine that the work was written and performed for the Catholic Church.  If the text refers exclusively to other biblical references in other languages, the music is sacred  If the text (translated) refers to human experiences outside the church, it is secular ○ Texture  If a song is monophonic, it is associated with chant and the church (monophonic doesn't refer to how many people are singing, only that they are singing in unison)  If the song involves several instruments playing together, it is often dance music and is secular ○ Sacred Music  The Roman Catholic Church  The music was monophonic (chant) □ Singing melodic line, without a harmony part or instrumental accompaniment  The music focuses on the text in order to show the devotion to God  Music is mostly vocal  Performed by Monks, Nuns, and Boys Choirs  Vast repertoire of chant melodies attached to the liturgy - Chant ○ Chant  Melismatic: many notes are sung on one syllable  Syllabic setting: one note to each syllable of text  Sung in Latin (Catholic Church)  Sung A cappella  Small melodic range □ Conjunct melody - fairly flat range  Modal  Flexible pulse  Non-measured/meter-less ○ Gregorian Chant  Named from Pope Gregory (540 - 604) who said he learned the songs from God who appeared to him as a dove  Songs were passed down in the oral tradition from monk to monk  Sent trained singers throughout the Holy Roman Empire to teach this new form of Chant ○ Chant in Popular Culture  The Vision of Escaflowne (Japanese video game)  Halo (video game)  Search for the Holy Grail (Monty Python) ○ Dies Irae  A chant that describes the day of judgment at the throne of God  Was used in the Catholic Mass until 1969 □ Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique (3'18") □ Rachmaninoff (3'30") □ Sweeney Todd □ "Sleeping with the Enemy" 1991 with Julia Roberts □ "The Shining" ○ Notable Medieval Composers  Pope Gregory  Hildegard von Bingen  Leonin  Perotin ○ Medieval Notation  A comprehensive music notation system was developed with enabled composers to write out their songs melodies and instrumental pieces on parchment or paper ○ Hildegard von Bingen  Nun who was a composer, mystic, poet, dramatic writer, healer, and visionary  Her known legacy is unusual since many composers remained anonymous during this time period  In total, she had 69 known compositions, one of the largest repertoires of the medieval period

- Songs ○ Gregorian Chant (Halo them

 The visual art of Hildegard is interesting for its use of color, graphic design style, imagery, and imagination ○ Leonin (1150 - 1201) and Perotin (1170 - 1236)  Late Medieval French composers  Polyphony □ Two or more independent melodies are sung or played simultaneously □ Ars Antiqua  Anything new had to be founded on something old - Medieval Instrumental Music ○ Medieval Instrumental Music  Because of the dominance of the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages, there is little surviving secular or instrumental music  Although this music did exist, it was not written down  We can assume from the little documentation that exists that this music was intended for entertainment  This is evident from the texts that are used and the style in which the pieces were written, such as dances  Estampie - medieval instrumental dance ○ Medieval Instruments  Shawm  Sackbut  Viol  Psaltery

L 4 - Renaissance Era Tuesday, February 6, 2018

3:43 PM

- Renaissance Era ○ 1450 - 1600 ○ A "Rebirth" ○ Following the famines and plagues of the 14th century, Europe grew in population and wealth ○ With the rise of the wealthy aristocrats, music patronage starting shifting away from the church, and into the royal courts ○ Focus on Humanism (a revived interest in ancient Greek and Roman thought) - the human spirit and the importance of education and moral law ○ Secularism - the separation of the government institutions from the church and religious dignitaries, particularly in the arts ○ Education - study of religion, philosophy and science - Artists, Philosophers and Scientists ○ Michelangelo ○ Leonardo da Vinci ○ Martin Luther ○ Johann Gutenberg (Bible) (1st major work printed by a moveable type printer - Germany) ○ William Shakespeare - Da Vinci's Influence ○ Epitomized the term "Renaissance Man" ○ Art was indisputably connected with science and nature - Renaissance ○ Music was both sacred and secular (but still primarily vocal) ○ Music was becoming polyphonic and much more elaborate rhythmically. This music was highlighted by the rich acoustics of the gothic cathedrals ○ Due to the denser texture of polyphony, the text became more hidden ○ Inclusion of instruments was starting, especially in sacred music (influenced by Leonin and Perotin) - Renaissance Vocal Music ○ Learning to sing was as important as learning to read ○ Madrigal: secular songs, written in the vernacular - Polyphonic in texture  Most often composed for 3 - 6 voices  Lively and metrical  Word Painting: the music mimics the words/text  "As Vesta Was Descending" by Thomas Weelkes ○ Chorale: sacred hymn, sung in church, introduced by Martin Luther  Developed by Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation  Composed sacred songs in the vernacular, which also consisted of the participation of the congregation ○ Mass: sacred, traditional Latin Mass  They were polyphonic, which means they had two or more melody lines. Music had an important role in church rituals, and masses bad five sections: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei  Mostly sung in Latin  William Byrd (1540 - 1623) □ Masses for Four Voices - Agnus Dei - Instrumental Music

Some music was secular (although hard to find now due to lack of notated music) Often accompanied voices In the forms and rhythmic patterns of popular dances of the day Beginning to be notated (preserve music) Grouped into Consorts (groups) of similar instruments Although Renaissance instruments were useful for dance music, accompaniment of voices, and antiphonal music, in church, they lacked the finesse of tone and intonation that we expect of instruments today. This is the case due to the state of instrumental evolution and development that the times allowed - Renaissance Instrumental Music ○ String Instruments  Lyre  Lute  Viele ○ Wind Instruments  Recorder  Shawm ○ Keyboard Instruments  Harpsichord  Clavichord ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

L 5 - Baroque Tuesday, February 13, 2018

3:19 PM

- Baroque ○ Spanish description of an irregularly shaped pearl ○ Monarchies became some of the most powerful entities throughout Europe during this time - Characteristics of Baroque Music ○ Homophonic texture  Dense music with multiple line, mostly noticeably a more complex bass part ○ Affectations  Tying music to specific emotions  Gave audience members something to listen for that was not related to religion and connect to composers and their music ○ Basso Continuo  A constant musical element  Comprised of a keyboard instrument and a bass instrument that creates a harmonic and rhythmic foundation to the upper lines - The Orchestra ○ Large ensembles with string, wind, brass, and percussion sections - Notation ○ Notation became critical in order to keep all parts together ○ Consisting of the staff, clefs, valued notes, and key centers - Instrumental Styles ○ Concerto: Antonio Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" ○ Suite: ○ Fugue: - Basso Continuo ○ Continuous Bass line played by the harpsichord (or other keyboard instrument) with the left hand of the keyboard, doubled by a cello ○ Created a harmonic and rhythmic foundation to the upper lines - Trio Sonata (chamber music) ○ A chamber work for harpsichord and cello (basso continuo) and two treble instruments  Trio refers to the three "voices"  Multi-movement work  Each movement has a new tempo and mood  Trio Sonata Opus 1, No. 3 - Baroque Vocal Music ○ Cantata ○ Opera ○ Oratorio - Vocal Music Components ○ Recitative  Closely related to spoken declamation  Vocal range is usually rather narrow □ Extremely high or low pitches may be used for descriptive or dramatic purpose  Rhythm is free or flexible  Recitative is flexible in form, adaptable to the demands of the text  Homophonic in texture (vocal line supported by an instrumental accompaniment) ○ Aria  A long, accompanied song for a solo voice, typically one in an opera and/or other

Baroque vocal genres □ Designed to express emotion and display the singing voice □ Metered - strict rhythm □ Homophonic - voice with orchestral accompaniment - Cantata ○ Multi-movement dramatic vocal work on a religious (sacred) or secular subject, performed in concert style ○ Consisted of recitatives, songlike arias, and elaborate choruses ○ Accompanied by a keyword instrument (basso continuo) and a small group of instrumentalists ○ J.S. Bach - Coffee Cantata - Opera ○ Early Baroque - started the great tradition of drama and music fused together ○ Inspired by Greek dramas ○ Telling a story through dramatic action, costumes, sets and music ○ Introduction a new vocal style  A soloist could express a text clearly and dramatically while singing beautiful music ○ Consisted of orchestral "Overture", as well as vocal arias and recitatives - Early Baroque Opera ○ L'Orfeo (1607) ○ Claudio Monteverdi 1567- 1643 ○ It is based on the Greek legend of Orpheus, and tells the story of his descent to Hades and his fruitless attempt to bring this dead bride Eurydice back to the living - Oratorio ○ The oratorio is composed to long, continuous religious or devoted text was originally presented in a church ○ The length and elaborate orchestral, solo and choral music were just as appropriate for the concert hall with Latin - and even English - texts set to music ○ Contained anywhere from 30 to more than 50 movements, and ran from one and half to two hours or more ○ Developed early in the Baroque period ○ Composed for large choir, large orchestra and vocal soloists ○ Based on a religious subject

L 6 - Classical Era Tuesday, February 13, 2018

3:43 PM

- Classical Era ○ 1750 - 1820 ○ Age of Enlightenment and the Age of Reason ○ The revolt of the spirit: revolt against supernatural religion and the church. People favored natural religion, morality, common sense, psychology, science, sociology, freedom for the individual and equal rights. They were against formality, authority, and privilege ○ Although a secular movement, the Enlightenment propounded religious tolerance as one of its goals ○ This time period saw the creation of the widely used encyclopedias, the discovery of electricity, and the steam engine - Classical Era Music Developments ○ Public concerts instead of private concerts for the wealthy ○ The sale of printed music ○ The invention of the modern day piano ○ Armature musicians growing in number and influence ○ The strength of the middle class/newfound disposable income - Classical Music Characteristics ○ The range of dynamics increased ○ Dynamic changes became more subtle  Longer and more expressive crescendos/decrescendos ○ Instrumental music dominated during the Classical period ○ Secular music surpassed music for worship in quantity and performances ○ A rise in orchestral and piano (for its expressive dynamic effects) music ○ Form  Composers found beauty in order and symmetry  Stressed form, beauty, and control (Greek Ideals) ○ Melody  Memorable melodies became more dominant than complex polyphony ○ Texture  Homophony became the predominant texture (melodies generally placed in the top line) - Predominant Classical Period Composers ○ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  1756 - 1791  German Classical Composer  Compositions set the standard for all forms in the classical period  Child prodigy on violin, keyboard, and composition □ Touring, and writing full-length symphonies by the age of 10  Created music that was emotionally intense, stunningly crafted and musically mature  Unlike any other composer in musical history, he wrote in al the musical forms of his day and excelled in every one  Symphonies, concertos, string quartets, etc. ○ Franz Joseph Hayden  1732-1809  Austrian composer  Known as the "father of the symphony" and the "father of the string quartet" ○ Ludwig van Beethoven

1770 - 1827 German composer and pianist One of the most famous and influential of all composers Student of Franz Joseph Hayden Throughout his career, lost his hearing and was almost completely deaf during the last 15 years of his life  Composed 9 symphonies, 32 piano sonatas, 6 string quartets and a significant quantity of chamber music  Known for having "3 periods of compositions"  He oversaw the transition of music from the Classical style, full of poise and balance, to the Romantic Style, characterized by emotion and impact  The works of his early period brought the Classical form to its highest expressive level  The works of his middle period were more forward looking, contributing to the musical language and thinking of the romantic era  His late period works were characterized by formal, harmonic, and structural experimentation at the highest level - Instrumental Forms ○ Symphonies typically have 4 movements  Sonata-Allegro Form □ Exposition - introduction of the two themes the movement will present □ Development - the two themes are expanded into larger melodic and harmonic material □ Recapitulation - the "restatement" of previously presented material □ Coda - ending  Theme and Variations □ An original theme is stated at the beginning of the movement □ The theme is then seamlessly varied in many ways (tempo, dynamics, keys, articulations, texture, instrumentation)  Menuet and Trio □ 3/4 time signature (dance) □ 1st part - menuet in 2 parts □ 2nd part - trio in 2 parts □ Overall, an ABA form  Rondo □ First and lively □ ABACABA form  Listen for the recurring theme (A)  Notice the secondary themes and what changes musically - Classical Vocal Music ○ Requiem  Description of a style of writing, not a specific form  A Mass for the dead □ It is sung in Latin and contains many of the same parts as an oratorio or standard mass in that it is made up of arias sung by a vocal soloist and choir, with an orchestra supporting the voices ○ Mozart's Requiem  Requiem in d minor, K 626  Composed in Vienna in late 1791, but was unfinished upon his death  Commissioned by Count Franz Von Walsegg □ Who would often commission works by composers and pass them along as his own  It was completed in 1792 by Franz Xaver Sussmayer  Scored for small orchestra, mixed choir and soprano, tenor and bass soloist     

○ Opera  The sound of Classical opera shows a larger and fuller orchestral sound and plot lines that are less Greek tragedy and more humanistic  Many of the Classical era operas were either serious or comic operas - called opera seria or opera buffa  Still retains the musical elements of Baroque Opera (Orchestra, Arias, Recitatives, etc.) ○ Mozart's Don Giovanni 1787  In this Mozart opera, Don Giovanni (Don Juan), a young nobleman with a life already full of love conquests, tries to have his way with yet another young woman, Donna Anna. In her attempts to fight him off, her father comes to her rescue and perishes in the duel with Don Giovanni  Following the dramatic opening, more of Don Giovanni's escapades are revealed as he tries to seduce a woman at her wedding, a woman he's seducing before, and numerous others, and all the while his sidekick, Leporello, keeps his master o...