Review - Compositions - Modern

Question 1

Answer the following for the musical excerpt:

Title:
Composer:
Genre:
Source of text:
Song structure/type:
Performing forces:

What does the music in the excerpt represent?

What feelings does it create?

Answer 1

Title: Erlking
Composer: Schubert
Genre: Lied
Source of text: poem by Goethe
Song structure/type: through composed (durchkomponiert)
Performing forces: solo voice and piano

The very fast and strong octaves triplets in the right hand describes the horse galloping. The left hand melody describes the storm and wind.

The piano creates a feeling of nervous energy and that something bad is about to happen quickly

Question 2

Answer the following for the musical excerpt:

Title:
Composer:
Genre:
Source of text:
Song structure/type:
Performing forces:

Which character sings the excerpt?

What feeling is the character trying to convey and how is accomplished?

Answer 2

Title: Erlking
Composer: Schubert
Genre: Lied
Source of text: poem by Goethe
Song structure/type: through composed (durchkomponiert)
Performing forces: solo voice and piano

The father sings this excerpt.

The father is trying to assure his child with rounded tone in the lower register.

Question 3

Answer the following for the musical excerpt:

Title:
Composer:
Genre:
Source of text:
Song structure/type:
Performing forces:

Which character sings the excerpt?

What feeling is the character trying to convey and how is accomplished?

Answer 3

Title: Erlking
Composer: Schubert
Genre: Lied
Source of text: poem by Goethe
Song structure/type: through composed (durchkomponiert)
Performing forces: solo voice and piano

The Erlking sings this excerpt.

The Erlking is trying to trick the boy and creating a spooky atmosphere by singing in major mode.

Question 4

Answer the following for the musical excerpt:

Title:
Composer:
Genre:
Source of text:
Song structure/type:
Performing forces:

Which character sings the excerpt?

What feeling is the character trying to convey and how is accomplished?

Answer 4

Title: Erlking
Composer: Schubert
Genre: Lied
Source of text: poem by Goethe
Song structure/type: through composed (durchkomponiert)
Performing forces: solo voice and piano

The son sings this excerpt.

The son is scared so this is conveyed by rising pitches.

Question 5

Describe the introduction and the four characters depicted in the Erlking.

Answer 5

-Introduction - piano to convey the horse galloping and the stormy night

-Narrator - middle register

-Father - lower register, legato (rounded) phrases to calm his son

-Son - upper register to convey his young age and fear

-Erlking - middle register with a fake sweetness

Question 6

Name one composer and the association to Goethe.

Answer 6

Goethe wrote the poem that Schubert’s Erlking is based.

Question 7

Give definition of Art Song

Answer 7

Art song is the musical setting of a poem for solo voice and generally with piano accompaniment.

Question 8

Give definition of Lied (plural Lieder)

Answer 8

A lied is the musical setting of a German poem and it is for solo voice, generally with piano accompaniment and popular in the 19th century.

Question 9

Give definition of durchkomponiert.

Name the title, genre and composer this term is associated with in our study.

Answer 9

It is a song structure that does not repeat entire sections of the music. The music reflects the meaning of the text as the story unfolds.

Erlking is a lied by Schubert.

Question 10

What is the English translation of durchkomponiert?

Answer 10

Durchkomponiert is through-composed in English.

Question 11

What is the musical setting of a poem for solo voice and generally with piano accompaniment called?

Answer 11

Art Song (there is no specification of German language so it’s not a Lied).

Question 12

What is the term for the musical setting of a German poem and it is for solo voice, generally with piano accompaniment and popular in the 19th century?

Answer 12

Lied (plural: Lieder)

Question 13

What is the song structure that does not repeat entire sections of the music? The music reflects the meaning of the text as the story unfolds.

Answer 13

Through-composed (durchkomponiert)

Question 14

Give definition of polonaise and title and composer of the piece we studied.

Answer 14

Polonaise is a Polish court dance in triple meter.
It is transformed by Chopin into a virtuosic piano composition and often include polonaise rhythms

Polonaise in A flat major by Chopin.

Question 15

Give definition of rubato and title and composer of the piece we studied in which rubato can be found.

Answer 15

Rubato is “Italian for robbed time”. The rhythm is flexible so it speeds up or slow down

Polonaise in A flat major by Chopin.

Question 16

What is the Polish court dance in triple meter?

Answer 16

Polonaise

Question 17

What is the term for “Italian for robbed time” in which rhythm is flexible so music speeds up or down down?

Answer 17

rubato.

Question 18

Answer the following for the music excerpt.

Title:
Composer:
Genre:
Form of the entire piece:

Which section is the excerpt part of?

Give two music features of this excerpt

Answer 18

Title: Polonaise in A flat major
Composer: Chopin
Genre: solo piano
Form of the entire piece: ABA (with introduction and coda)

Which section is the excerpt part of? The excerpt is the introduction

Give two music features of this excerpt:
- Strong octave starts the piece
- soft chromatic ascending chords follow the strong octaves
- passage is repeated

Question 19

Answer the following for the music excerpt.

Title:
Composer:
Genre:
Form of the entire piece:

Which section is the excerpt part of?

Give two music features of this section

Answer 19

Title: Polonaise in A flat major
Composer: Chopin
Genre: solo piano
Form of the entire piece: ABA (with introduction and coda)

Which section is the excerpt part of? The excerpt is section B.

Give two music features of section B:
- left hand plays staccato octaves
- dramatic dynamic changes from sf in the first note to pp in the ostinato
- strong dotted rhythm (polonaise rhythm) give martial (solider-like) character
- a new theme shows bel canto style and has rubato

Question 20

Answer the following for the music excerpt.

Title:
Composer:
Genre:
Form of the entire piece:

Which section is the excerpt part of?

Give two music features of this section.

Answer 20

Title: Polonaise in A flat major
Composer: Chopin
Genre: solo piano
Form of the entire piece: ABA (with introduction and coda)

Which section is the excerpt part of? The excerpt is section A.

Give two music features of this excerpt:
- right hand plays the main theme with the polonaise rhythm
- The theme has decorated notes such as grace notes
- the left hand plays octaves covering three octaves
- long sweeping ascending scale is heard three times in section A

Question 21

Answer the following for Polonaise in A flat major.

Composer:
Era:
Genre:
Form of the entire piece?

Give two musical features of the entire piece.

Answer 21

Composer: Chopin
Era: Romantic
Genre: solo piano
Form of the entire piece: ABA (with introduction and coda)

Musical features can be any of the following:

The piece has polonaise rhythm throughout and it gives a dramatic and strong beat.

The main melody is expressive and song-like. The section B theme has bel-canto influence.

This piece has many piano challenges, including trills, rapid octaves passages and large chords.

Question 22

What kind of Romantic musical style is Polonaise in A flat major an example of?

Answer 22

Nationalism.

Question 23

Why is Polonaise in A flat major a good example of nationalism?

Answer 23

Chopin is Polish and polonaise is a Polish court dance. The piece is based on the dotted polonaise rhythm

Question 24

Answer the following questions for the excerpt:

1. Title of the entire piece
2. What’s the form of the entire piece?
3. Name of this movement
4. Name of this specific excerpt
5. Name two of the three instruments in this excerpt?
6. Who is the composer?

Answer 24

1. Symphonie fantastique
2. Program Symphony
3. Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath
4. Dies irae
5. bassoon, ophicleide and bells
6. Berlioz

Question 25

Answer the following questions for the excerpt: 1. Title of the entire piece 2. What's the form of the entire piece? 3. Name of this movement 4. Name of this specific excerpt 5. Name the solo instrument in this excerpt 6. Who is the composer?

Answer 25

1. Symphonie fantastique 2. Program Symphony 3. Dream of a Witches' Sabbath 4. idee fixe (the beloved) 5. Clarinet 6. Berlioz

Question 26

Answer the following questions for the excerpt: 1. Title of the entire piece 2. What's the form of the entire piece? 3. Name of this movement 4. Name of this specific excerpt 5. What is the texture in this excerpt? 6. What string technique is used? 7. Who is the composer?

Answer 26

1. Symphonie fantastique 2. Program Symphony 3. Dream of a Witches' Sabbath 4. Dance of the Witches 5. Fugal texture 6. Col legno 7. Berlioz

Question 27

Put these movements in order: A Ball Dream of a Witches' Sabbath March to the Scaffold Scene in the Fields Reveries, Passions

Answer 27

I - Reveries II - A Ball III - Scene in the Fields IV - March to the Scaffold V - Dream of a Witches' Sabbath

Question 28

Who does the 'beloved' represent in Carmen?

Answer 28

Harriet Smithson

Question 29

Who is Harriet Smithson and what is her role in Symphonie Fanastique?

Answer 29

Berlioz fell in love with Harriet Smithson. He composed Symphonie fanstique with her in mind.

Question 30

What is the term for the following definition: - a 19th century multi-movement orchestral work that has descriptive title and often has accompanying text that outlines the program

Answer 30

program symphony

Question 31

What is the term for the following definition: Berlioz came up with this term and it's French for 'fixed idea". It's a recurrent theme that links the multi-movements. In symphonie fantastique, it represents 'the beloved'

Answer 31

idee fixe

Question 32

What is an obsolete brass instrument that is the predecessor of the tuba? Where/how is it used in Symphonie fantastique?

Answer 32

Ophicleide In symphony fantastique, this instrument (and bassoons) play the dies irae

Question 33

What is the term for the following definition: This term is Italian for "with the wood". Berlioz used this new string effect in which the plays tap the strings with the wooden parts of their bows.

Answer 33

col legno

Question 34

What is the term that means "day of wrath" in Latin? It's a monophonic chant and used in requiem (mass for the dead). The music is associated with funerals.

Answer 34

Dies irae

Question 35

What is program symphony?

Answer 35

- a 19th century multi-movement orchestral work that has descriptive title and often has accompanying text that outlines the program

Question 36

What is idee fixe?

Answer 36

Berlioz came up with this term. it's French for 'fixed idea". It's a recurrent theme that links the multi-movements. In symphonie fantastique, it represents 'the beloved'

Question 37

What is col legno?

Answer 37

This term is Italian for "with the wood". Berlioz used this new string effect in which the plays tap the strings with the wooden parts of their bows.

Question 38

What is Dies irae?

Answer 38

It's a monophonic chant and used in requiem (mass for the dead). The music is associated with funerals.

Question 39

Answer the following question for the musical excerpt? Title of the entire work -Genre of the entire work -Composer -What are the first few words and the translation of the first few words of the excerpt? -How is Carmen's teasing nature described musically? -Which motive is in this musical selection?

Answer 39

-Title of the entire work: Carmen -Genre of the entire work: Lyric opera (French opera with spoken dialogue) -Composer: Bizet -What are the first few words and the translation of the first few words of the excerpt?"Quand je vous aimerai?" Translation: "When will I love you?" -How is Carmen's teasing nature described musically? Carmen's playful nature is hinted by short, clipped phrases -Which motive is in this musical selection? Fate

Question 40

Answer the following question for the musical excerpt? - Title of the entire work -Genre of the entire work -Composer -Title of the musical excerpt -What are the first few words and the translation of the first few words of the excerpt? -How is Carmen's teasing nature described musically? -Describe the cello playing in the beginning of the excerpt

Answer 40

-Title of the entire work: Carmen -Genre of the entire work: Lyric opera (French opera with spoken dialogue) -Composer: Bizet -Title of the musical excerpt: Habanera - What are the first few words and the translation of the first few words of the excerpt? "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" Translation: "Love is a rebellious bird" -How is Carmen's sensual/sexy nature described musically? the melody follows a chromatic descent -Describe the cello playing in the beginning of the excerpt? The cello plays an ostinato and it is a habanera rhythm.

Question 41

Answer the following question for the musical excerpt? -Title of the entire work -Genre of the entire work -Composer -Title of the musical excerpt - Who is singing the music excerpt? -What is this person like and how is it portrayed musically?

Answer 41

-Title of the entire work: Carmen -Genre of the entire work: Lyric opera (French opera with spoken dialogue) -Composer: Bizet -Title of the musical excerpt: Toreador Song -Who is singing the music excerpt? Escamillo - Escamillo has a swaggering nature. It is shown by the rough rhythm played by the brass instruments -

Question 42

What is habanera?

Answer 42

Habanera is a Cuban dance-song with a rhythm that is often used as an ostinato.

Question 43

What is opera?

Answer 43

It is a drama that is sung. It combines vocal and instrumental music with drama (staging and acting), visual arts (costume and scenery) and often dance. The components include recitative, arias, ensembles, and choruses.

Question 44

Name the three selections that we have to study from Carmen. For each of them, Is it a recitative or an aria? Who sings the selection? What is the title or the first few words of the libretto?

Answer 44

In Carmen, we have to study: Quand je vous aimerai (When will I love you?) - Carmen's recitative L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Love is a rebellious bird" - also called Habaner - Carmen's aria "Votre toast, je pexu vous le rendre" (Your toast, I can give it to you) - also called the Toreador Song - Escamillo's aria

Question 45

Name two of Carmen's friends.

Answer 45

Carmen's friends are Frasquita and Mercedes

Question 46

In the beginning of Carmen's aria," Love is a rebellious bird", what is the cello ostinato based on?

Answer 46

The cello ostinato is based on a habanera - a tango-like dance

Question 47

Name the four main characters in Carmen and give their voice types and a a brief description for each of them.

Answer 47

Carmen - mezzo-soprano - a free-spirited gypsy girl Don Jose - tenor - an army officer Escamillo - baritone - a bullfighter (toreador) Micaela - soprano - Jon Jose's girlfriend

Question 48

What is Carmen an example of? Nationalism Exoticism Romanticism

Answer 48

Exoticism

Question 49

Give Carmen's plot summary

Answer 49

Setting: Seville, Spain and the surrounding areas Carmen is a beautify and seductive gypsy. She works in a cigarette factory. She sees Don Jose and wants him to be her boyfriend. She seduces him and he falls in love with her. They are happy until Don Jose's girlfriend finds him and he leaves Carmen. Carmen falls in love with Escamillo, a bull fighter (Toreador). Don Jose is jealous and asks Carmen loves Don Jose. Carmen says she loves Escamillo. Don Jose becomes angry and kills her outside of the bullfighting ring.

Question 50

Describe the scene when Carmen sings the recitative, "When will I love you?"

Answer 50

Carmen leaves the tobacco factory during lunch time. All the men find her attractive and asks her to go out with them. Carmen playfully sings back that she doesn't know when she will love them.

Question 51

What are the three themes in Carmen?

Answer 51

Love Fate Death

Question 52

Name the two librettists for Carmen

Answer 52

Halevy and Meilhac

Question 53

Who are Halevy and Meilhac?

Answer 53

They are the librettists for Carmen.

Question 54

What is the source of plot for Carmen?

Answer 54

The story is based on a short poem by Merimee.