CLASSICAL MUSIC APPRECIATION ~ I love music but I don’t understand it at all ~

LEVELS OF LISTENING SKILLS To listen for the pleasure of the senses only. To listen for the pleasure of the senses only. To recognize the expressive power and To recognize the expressive power and meaning of music. meaning of music. To listen to what is going on. To listen to what is going on.

WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON? Music has its intellectual and emotional appeal. Music has its intellectual and emotional appeal. Music involves composer, performer and the listener. Music involves composer, performer and the listener. ~Great music is born of great effort by great and dedicated minds and by greatly devoted listeners~ William Schumann William Schumann

HOW TO BECOME AN INTELLIGENT MUSIC LISTENER? Understand the basic musical elements. Understand the basic musical elements. Be aware of how each musical element is used and what happens to it in the music. Be aware of how each musical element is used and what happens to it in the music. Hear the musical elements not separately but the combined effect. Hear the musical elements not separately but the combined effect. Develop an active listening skill – not just listening but always listening for something. Develop an active listening skill – not just listening but always listening for something. To acquire through learning and experience, not just methods. To acquire through learning and experience, not just methods.

RHYTHM ~ organizes music as it moves forward, each note having its own length or duration ~ ~ covers everything pertaining to the time aspect of music ~ Beat – a unit of time (a regular pulse) Beat – a unit of time (a regular pulse) Meter – the recurrent pattern of beats at an Meter – the recurrent pattern of beats at an interval in groups of 2, 3, 4, etc. interval in groups of 2, 3, 4, etc. Tempo – the speed of the beats Tempo – the speed of the beats

RHYTHM The `Elephant’ from Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saëns (in 3)

RHYTHM The `Toreadors’ from Orchestral Suite No. 1 by Bizet (in 4)

MELODY ~ consists of a succession of notes, varying in pitch, which have an organized and recognizable shape~ ~ is horizontal where the notes are heard consecutively ~

MELODY The `Habanera’ from Orchestral Suite No.2 by Bizet

MELODY `Dreaming’ from Scenes From Childhood by Schumann

HARMONY ~ is the study of chords and their relationship among one another ~ ~ is the sounding together of notes (vertical sound) known as chords ~

MELODY vs HARMONY

HARMONY ~ It adds depth to the music ~ ~ It adds depth to the music ~

HARMONY `Wedding March’ from A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream Op.61 by Mendelssohn

HARMONY Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op.43 by Rachmaninoff

TEXTURE ~ is the combination of the use of horizontal and vertical elements in music ~ Monophonic – a single, unaccompanied melody Monophonic – a single, unaccompanied melody Polyphonic – 2 or more melodies moving simultaneously Polyphonic – 2 or more melodies moving simultaneously Homophonic – a melody with a chordal accompaniment Homophonic – a melody with a chordal accompaniment

FORM ~ is the structure and design of a musical work ~ ~ builds on repetitions, contrasts, and variations of musical materials ~ 2-part Form: A B 2-part Form: A B 3-part Form: A B A 3-part Form: A B A Rondo Form: A B A C A D A etc. Rondo Form: A B A C A D A etc. Variations: A A’ A’’ A’’’ etc. Variations: A A’ A’’ A’’’ etc. Sonata Form: Exposition, Development, Recapitulation Sonata Form: Exposition, Development, Recapitulation

FORM Minute Waltz by Chopin (ABA FORM)

TONE COLOR ~ is the tone quality produced by a particular instrument or medium ~ An orchestra consists of 4 instrumental family groups creating a magnificent spectrum of tonal colors: The String Family The String Family The Woodwind Family The Woodwind Family The Brass Family The Brass Family The Percussion Family The Percussion Family

TONE COLOR TONE COLOR ` The Young Persons’ Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten

BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO.5 (FIRST MOVEMENT) Background Born in 1770 – 1827 (Classical Period) Born in 1770 – 1827 (Classical Period) In 1802 learned about his incurable deafness; tempted to take his life. In 1802 learned about his incurable deafness; tempted to take his life. His music generated a new power and heroism after his emotional crisis – victory over despair His music generated a new power and heroism after his emotional crisis – victory over despair Symphony completed & performed in Symphony completed & performed in Completely deaf in 1819; became a recluse Completely deaf in 1819; became a recluse Preferred to walk in the country where he was inspired by many musical ideas. Preferred to walk in the country where he was inspired by many musical ideas. Musical style was revolutionary, a forerunner of the Romantic style of music Musical style was revolutionary, a forerunner of the Romantic style of music

BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO.5 Type: orchestral work Tempo: allegro con brio (quickly & vigorously) Time: in 2 Theme: rhythmic vs melodic Form: sonata-form Texture: mainly homophonic Tone Color: ideas transfer from instruments to instruments in different combinations

AN AUDIO/VISUAL EXAMPLE Symphony No. 5 in C Minor by Beethoven – First Movement