Section 1 Notes
Music Appreciation Grade 7
Notes: Section 1
Music is one of the great arts in our society. We shall define art as “a human activity whose purpose is to transmit to us the highest and best feelings to which man has risen.” Art expresses thoughts and emotions of the artist whether through poetry, painting, sculpture, photography, theatre, literature or music.
Music is the combination of Sound, Silence, Rhythm, Melody and Harmony with the sole purpose of creating an emotional response. Music reflects every aspect of mankind’s existence. Music is the Language of Emotion!
How to listen to music
The great composers did not write their music to be used as background music. They wrote it to be listened to intently. When listening to an important musical work it is important not to talk or do something that will distract you from truly listening to the music. The sounds form patterns, which you will not understand unless you give it your full attention.
LISTENING:
1) Polka from The Bartered Bride by Bedrich Smetana. A polka is a lively dance of Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) that became popular all over Europe. In his opera The Bartered Bride the Czech composer Smetana captures the spirit of the folk songs and dances of his homeland.
2) Triumphal March from Aida by the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. The conquering hero Radames is welcomed at the gates of Thebes by the King of Egypt, his court and the people. The full orchestral sound creates a mood of victory. The main melody of the march is carried by the trumpet.
3)
Serenade by Germany’s Franz Schubert is one of the most famous love songs in the world. A serenade is an evening song, such as a lover would sing beneath the balcony of his beloved. Schubert has suggested that the piano part is the back ground for the melody which is sung. The chords played are generally staccato (short and detached). The poem consists of three stanzas and is sung in German. Here is the English translation:
Let my songs implore you gently through the silent night;
In the stillness, oh my darling, bring me love’s delight.
Hear the willows murmur softly in the silv’ry light, in the silv’ry light;
Safe at last where none may harm you, have no fear, my love….
Have no fear, my love
Hear the birds who call you gently. Ah, they plead for me!
Sweet their song, so full of sorrow; now they speak for me
They must know a lover’s longing. I know the pain of love –
Know the pain of love….
Let their tender voices reach you, let them touch your heart.
Oh my darling, I await you! We will never part!
4) Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn. In his music for Shakespeare’s immortal comedy, Mendelssohn caught the spirit of wonder that surrounds the play. The famous wedding march suggests the happy ending when the Duke of Athens marries Hippolyta. The piece is longer than most think, because only the beginning is played at most modern weddings.
5) Berceuse from the ballet The Firebird by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The French word Berceuse means lullaby. By a ballet we mean a dance piece or the music that accompanies it. The Firebird is based on a Russian fairy tale concerning a magic creature, half woman and half bird, who is captured by Prince Ivan. In return for her freedom she gives him one of her golden feathers. When Ivan enters the ogre’s castle he waves the magic feather, whereupon the Firebird appears. She drives the monster and his courtiers into a frenzy; she then lulls them to sleep with a lullaby. At this point is heard the lovely Berceuse. The melody is legato (smooth and connected-the opposite of staccato)
6) The Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah, by the German composer George Frederic Handel is a wonderful example of music inspired by religious feeling. After Handel completed it, his servant found the composer with tears streaming from his eyes. “I did think,” Handel exclaimed, “that I did see the all Heaven before me, and great God Himself!” Traditionally when one listens to a live performance of this piece they stand, much in the same way that you stand for the playing of the national anthem. The custom of standing for the "Hallelujah" chorus originates from a belief that, at the London premiere, King George II did so.
Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah