Major Concepts of Music

If one is to be honest, this has been a class that has had quite a significant impact on me! My academic prowess during this course may not reflect appropriately truth be told I have had to take it twice. However, with this being the second to last course before graduating, It comes at a time, where appreciation of and for music has been heightened due to the fact that much goes into the process of making glorious sounds that can sooth the soul. It is given an opportunity to enjoy The Pacific Symphony. Also, we plan other events that would be nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of our regular lives, taking a moment to enjoy life! I never have played and instrument but I am learning slowly to play the guitar so that music can be played when we praise the Lord at the correctional facilities in Southern California once a month and also have joined the church choir, so with all these things revolving around music I would say it has made a significant impact on me!

Now let me tell you what I have learned. Music is meaningful, and the examples are endless touching the lives of so many at various periods of time. I have come to understand quite a bit about the history of music and a means to appreciate classical music. How you do this is read the history of the particular pieces that you are planning to hear and learn some of the key instruments that will bring the composition alive. Try to understand what the composer was trying to convey through his composition. The ideas played out in the melody came from much sweat and tears and that is something you learn to appreciate.

Let me add, that Pop music that is listen to on a daily basis on the radio is not truly art but just popular songs that last only two to five minutes normally they become popular because they are heard over again. Artistic music last for ours and after repeated listening you appreciates the nuisances of each piece. And the depth that has went into the compilation of the composers work. Thru the ages as pieces became more intense the pitch, duration, loudness and tone increased thus increasing the amount of pieces needed to produce the sounds increase thru the various orchestra periods such as the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Romantic period orchestra each time incorporating more strings, wind, brass, harpsichord and eventually the piano that is used in our modern era and it is still evolving with the incorporations of Asian instruments, though it is not set in stone for the Western culture yet.

The instrumental forms such as dance that was music with no voice it was merely for merriment and has had a major effect on cultures from the period called Allemande to Siciliana which possess different meters to the style of dance. Large scale works called movements are that are twenty minutes in length and broken down into five minute increments set for dance but routinely this is when the audience gives applause to the particular movement. Baroque in my opinion is synonymous with a major part of European history but when you think of classical music the dances truly comes into play during this period and the harpsichord is an intricate part of the this dance period.

The voice is represented by Fugue which is the best way to describe polyphonic imitations of music through voice and the ranges that you here are the soprano, alto, tenor and bass and they replicate or mimic the music that is composed and when this is done correctly you have a beautiful piece of work that has come together. Now in order for this to be done you need a conductor or maestro to bring the instruments and vocals and style of music together to create what the composer wrote and this is not something that it taken lightly much skill is placed in this endeavor to bring harmony together, hence the name maestro!

I have taken this course twice, due to my schedule and lack of preparedness, but I will say that it has been well worth it, for you see it is not just about a grade, but it has profoundly taught me various themes, the concept of hard work and dedication along with inspiration to create something of worth if very important, it seems that my culture at time have forgotten this on certain matters and just taking the time to relax and enjoy something that someone took the time and effort to produce this lesson is a major take away. One that I never shall forget we must combine all aspects of these concepts into our lives so that we too can inspire others to do great things as well and there is no short cut to creating a masterpiece!

Concert on the Green

The concert on the green was a pleasant change for a Sunday evening. The weather was perfect for setting and the atmosphere was relaxing as we all were the sounds of the Concert on the Green Wind Orchestra comprised of high school, college musicians, alumni that have travel from various regions to be a part of this wonderful experience in music

Star Spangle Banner: Written by Francis Scott Key and this version son by Ms. Natalie Hovsepian, soprano. Her rendition of this timeless song was superb and helps set the tone for the rest of the evening of wonderful music that satisfied the listener’s ears. I would like to add that all the pieces that were executed intrigued me to want to find out more about the pieces played. The conductor Professor Held explained each piece with a little history. However I thought I would go a little further and research information along with other renditions with photos to give you a taste as best possible of what I experienced. I hope you will enjoy!

American Salute by Morton Gould http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSe7WM9JP8QWM9JP8QSe7WM9JP8Q played by the orchestra with as much passion if not more the clip that you see in this video. Morton Gould hailed from New York born in December 1913 studied at the Institute of Musical Art and early in his career was sought after for various types of musical work such as radio and theatre and had a successful career as a composer and symphony conductor he wrote numerous orchestrated music and the American Salute is one of those renowned pieces. http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Morton_Gould_21091/21091.htmfo/Morton_Gould_21091/21091.htm

Adagio for Winds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh7wbTNu07Y Written by Larry Daehn he born in Rosendale Wisconsin in 1939 received a degree from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh as well a Masters degree from the University at Platteville teaching music for well over 33 years and has his own publications.

http://www.windband.org/foothill/pgm_note/notes_d.htm#Daehn
Laudamus Te (Mass in C Minor, K427) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHJjCiKfydo Composed on a vow to his wife to write a mass when she safely returned from delivering their first children, Mozart wrote the It was premiered on October 26, 1783. Mass in C Minor (K. 427/417a) in late 1782 and early-to-mid 1783. It was first performed on August 25, in St. Peter's church with his wife singing the solos. The Mass in C Minor is one of the few works that Mozart did not compose for money http://www.wikio.com/video/1423321

Arioso (Cantata No. 156) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0irJfY8d3s By J.S Bach

Canticle: All Creatures of Our God and King http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBrqECh-2HE by Claude T. Smith an American educator, conductor as a prolific composer who completed over 100 compositions for groups or bands. With more than 12 orchestral pieces and fifteen choral pieces. Some of his compositions are Emperata overture and Eternal Father strong to save which was commissioned by the United States Navy to commemorate the 50th anniversary. http://www.lib.umd.edu/archivesum/actions.DisplayEADDoc.do?source=/MdU.ead.scpa.0013.xml&style=eadource=/MdU.ead.scpa.0013.xml&style=ead

Overture to “Candide” by Leonard Bernstein http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422-yb8TXj8 this was not a considered a successful work when it first opened on Broadway in 1956. Rather considered a complex assortment of music that had be worked and reworked at various times. However, it has survived and does give assistance in a positive way to Voltaire’s fanciful imaginative tale. http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/music/piece_detail.cfm?id=51515usic/piece_detail.cfm?id=515

Klezmer Classics

1. Mazltov http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha6V0MT6nrQ in times past, this melody was used for the farewell as a so-called dobranots (“good night song”) to escort the guests on their leave-taking at a wedding party. http://www.euronet.nl/~amsmusic/toelicht/klezmer.htm

2. Dem Trisker rebn’s nign (The Melody of the Rabbi of Trisk)this melody was first recorded in 1925 in New York by the clarinetist Dave Tarras. The title (Trisk is a town in the Ukrainian province of Volhynia) responded to the sentiments of the many Jewish immigrants who had settled in America. They formed a potential market for the upcoming record industry. http://www.euronet.nl/~amsmusic/toelicht/klezmer.htm

3. Lomir zich iberbetn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEKKhPDJ5lA (Yiddish: Let Us Reconcile)This is a traditional wedding dance. It is performed at the party by unmarried girls and boys who, to avoid physical contact, were only connected by a handkerchief that they held at the tips, high up in the air. http://www.euronet.nl/~amsmusic/toelicht/klezmer.htm

4. Chosidle (slow dance) This is a Chassidic dance with a solemn mood. The melody is based on a nigun (Chassidic melody without words). Chassidism is an orthodox movement within the religious Judaism, in which mysticism plays an important role. http://www.euronet.nl/~amsmusic/toelicht/klezmer.htm

5. Ma jofus (Tants, tants, jidelech) Hebrew: How Beautiful…)This is a melody based on an ode to the Sabbath. It is a true classic from the klezmer repertoire, and it is also known as Tants, tants, Yidelech. In former days in Eastern Europe, Ma yofus was just as well known as Hava Nagila is today. http://www.euronet.nl/~amsmusic/toelicht/klezmer.html/~amsmusic/toelicht/klezmer.htm

Block M (Concert March)

The Lion King

1. Circle of Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX07j9SDFcc
2. I just Can’t Waite to Be King http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXs8OS6EdAE6EdAE
3. Be Prepared http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ6cw_MuTDE
4. Hakuna Matata http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K92sv93_c_A
5. Can You feel the Love Tonight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCebAa9qKz8
6. King of Pride Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw5bha0ZkRY
I Dreamed a Dream (Les Miserable’s) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yix0MyJnBQA Les Misérables known as Les Mis or Les Miz, is a musical composed in 1980 by the French composer (person who wrote the music part) Claude-Michel Schönberg with a libretto (words) by Alain Boublil. It is the most famous of French musicals and one of the most performed musicals in the world. In 2006, the show celebrated its 21st anniversary and became the longest-running West End (England’s equivalent of America’s Broadway) musical in history, and is still running (albeit in different venues). http://susanboyle.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/who-really-wrote-i-dreamed-a-dream-music-ed-101/boyle.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/who-really-wrote-i-dreamed-a-dream-music-ed-101/

Natalie Hovsepian, soprano

Old Ironsides http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3THKjV9Jm4g The composer John Phillip Sousa is synonymous with military marches and military compositions he lead the United States Marine band from 1880 to 1892 serving under various presidents that were very appreciative of his music his legacy has endured down thru the ages. http://everything2.com/title/John+Philip+Sousa

The Ultimate Patriotic Sing-Along

Star Wars Medley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPq4e0-9HwM One of the most in-demand film composers of the last quarter of the twentieth century, John Williams reinvigorated orchestral movie music, composing scores for more than 80 films and winning 5 Academy Awards, 17 Grammy Awards, 3 Golden Globe Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, and 5 BAFTA Awards from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He is the composer of memorable theme music for television networks and special events such as the Olympics. He is a conductor, famous for his work leading the Boston Pops Orchestra. And he is a composer of music for the concert hall. http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3428400577.html

The experience as stated in the beginning of this blog was one that will leave pleasant memories of the music that was executed and atmosphere of the hole evening was excellent it was well received the informative explanation of the various styles of music along with the involvement of the audience as well the inspiration to the children to one day play one of the various instruments or perhaps by the seed that was planted aspired to be an upcoming conductor of the many splendid companies and around the world. Also, the excellent leadership of the conductor as he exemplified a gracious host to the listeners and did not take the credit but gave it to all who assisted him in the making of a pleasant afternoon.

The Other Side of Silence

Beethoven built an empire of music that will stand the test of time. Though he had a life that was vibrant and melancholy it is inspirational in so many facets. And gives rise to so many lessons from beginning to end. We should appreciate the passion placed in the music and composition behind all that has been written and realize though a genius he also was a man who faced issues as many have and triumphed in some and failed in others, but he did not stop living. This is a testament to the courage of the human spirit and validity that we need to believe in something higher then ourselves.

The Raven Mother

Interesting note here is that a trial went on to define who Beethoven was regarding nobility, and because his middle name was van instead of von he was not considered more common than aristocratic and stripped of noble credentials and with this and various issues, it is believed that he reached the precipice of lunacy and it not only affected him but family members as well.

The Mountains of the Mind

As an artist Beethoven was tried and true to the nature of a creative mind, and was not ashamed or prideful concerning his craft. “O God! Give me the strength to conquer myself, nothing at all must fetter me to life.” www.harpercollins.com within this period he wrote http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KGtUkW3dBM and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhw6bF_oR_k However, the time came that he did decline within the realm of the musical elite. While he still had veracity within his mind the Tsar, Dukes and Viennese looked were moving on with what one may call the sign of the times. And with these changes payments ebbed and flowed some were given as a good faith jester and with the war raging the light in Beethoven starts to fade one of the last pieces of music is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBAqBkoT5-4 as he finished it is said he faded into sub consciousness.

The Immortal Beloved

The appointment to Kassel was a new chapter in the life of Beethoven removing himself from the seat of musical capital to somewhat of a providential outpost of musical world was shocking to many who could not comprehend the move amidst the height of his career in the musical city. But Beethoven makes an interesting statement:
Abusive articles about my latest concert will perhaps be set again from here to the Musikalische Zeitung. I certainly don’t want everything that is written against me to be suppressed. But people should bear in mind that nobody in Vienna has more private enemies than I have. This is the more understandable since the state of music here is becoming worse and worse.
With the issues of the day and war looming from France’s Napoleon Bonaparte and several symphonies later such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IRMYuE1hI; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LimqvTZ3EC4 ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJGESRc3XfY
With the news of letters between he and Antoine Brentano that gives reason for the strange move and puts to rest how society because they cannot explain issues make of stories to fill in the gaps.

The Cold Dungeon

The endeavor to write “The Creature of Prometheus” was a collaboration of the masters and was something that at that time never had been undertaken. So it was a daunting task that paid massive dividends for their careers. Interestingly enough the payment for this masterpiece did produce the same results various issues arose the Papa Hayden was on the decline a fiddler name George Bridgetower playing Beethoven’s Op.47, the “Kreutzer” Sonata: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mixnMzHUYxA This was such piece that it reported to have a profound effect on the libido and a story circulated that it cause a disagreement between Beethoven and Kreutzer over a madchen. However the quarrel Beethoven has been 35 years on the earth and no serious relationship with a woman and several compositions later: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz7usUEPWsc he felt dreariness to his life, due to his deafness, which he so desperately tried to hide from the public and did a great job of it. One has to recognize the beauty of being able to write and composed music without the key instrument of the human body to define it.

The Creature of Prometheus

Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung a weekly periodical covering the compositions of the day wrote about Beethoven calling him the basically the new man of German music this was due to the composition of the grand Concerto for the pianoforte played by and composed by Mr. Ludwig van Beethoven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AIr2ehN4_k other compositions gave him notability but was somewhat lackluster never the less they are beautiful pieces of work that only a master could write http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfwlj2rrzQ0; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OKg5OXkZtM with this type of music Beethoven was challenge by the aristocracy to addressed this kind of composition meaning the quartets, the powers that be were a driving force that shapes some of the music written. Like the culture of today the youth also had a major influence that drove how music was written when we think of the rebellion of youth this what compelled the master to write the ballad called “Creature of Prometheus” this made him a superstar of that day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d7PKI505aM

The Hands of Hayden

Interesting facts on how Beethoven was able to facilitate his musical career was through various creditors that he would be in debt to and as a trade he would compose his music to their credit. Benefactors would cover the composers cost and during one of these periods enter Joseph Hayden who appreciated what a composer must experience to write their music. Beethoven understood as well that he had much to learn from a revered master and took the task as one of utmost importance for his career. So much that it is reported that he called him “Papa” and in Beethoven’s mind writing Hayden’s music would bring him closer to what Papa understood one of these hand written pieces copied by Beethoven is Quartet, Op. 20 No. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbxoYTUvc30 This also became a period for Beethoven to embrace the world of aristocracy during this time as a young man he learns that his life is somewhat in others hands, and that though he is passionate he has to refrain from his passions in order to keep order. Also as a student of Hayden issues arose that made Papa feel taken advantage because of status. As well, this is a period in time that Beethoven becomes independent and gossips arises that he is shy toward women sexually and remarks of his Spanish looking skin and kinky hair eluded to other issues. Regardless of these issues let of remember that he is the greatest composer who ever lived here is Bernstein on Beethoven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZYn865RiRE

The Spirit of Mozart

Who would have thought in the life genius alcoholism would play a part but it did. His father had a bought and due to this problem he was not the most pleasant of parental leadership, it is said that he abuse the responsibility, however, something that could be addressed from this and has been pointed out is the argument of abortion because of this and other issues, what if this child Beethoven had not been born or a means sought to terminate, would we have been blessed with the beauty of his music? Regardless of all this happy years in Beethoven’s life did surface early while serving under Mozart’s tutelage. Mozart who was reluctant about accepting the student later remarked “keep your eyes on him; some day he will give the world something to talk about.” www.harpercollins.com

Prologue to Beethoven The Unversal Composer

Beethoven is known at an early age in his life as a musical genius but how many know anything of his if you like to call it regular life? However, it was not until his early forties that he was considered the most famous composer of his time. What established Beethoven as the crème de le crème was his innate ability to expound on the human emotion and beyond life, love and death. Great example Beethoven’s fifth symphony: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c4x0yuKpeY like the fifth Beethoven life had some very sharp contrast as we shall see and challenge to explain. Issues that arose in his life were sexual, social, political, psychotic, loneliness, and illness; something that would probably break the average person today but he prevailed.