The Classical era in music encompasses the latter half of the eighteenth century and the early decades of the nineteenth century. During this time, the rule of strong aristocrats continued through Europe. Louis XV presided over Versailles, while Frederick the Great ruled Prussia, Maria Theresa ruled Austria, and Catherine the Great ruled Russia. In such societies, the ruling class enjoyed its power through hereditary right, passed down from one generation to the next. At the same time, a new economic power was growing through the Industrial Revolution, which gathered momentum in the mid-eighteenth century through a series of important inventions. There were also significant advances in science and intellectual life during this time. The Classical …show more content…
Many of these classical melodies "sing," even those intended for instruments. They are typically based on symmetrical four-bar phrases marked by clear-cut cadences, and they often move stepwise or by small leaps within a narrow range. Clarity is further provided by repetition and the frequent use of sequence. These devices make for balanced structures that are readily accessible to the listener. The harmonies that sustain the melodies are equally clear. Chords are built from the seven tones of the major or minor scale and therefore are firmly rooted in the key. The chords underline the balanced symmetry of phrases and cadences, and they form vertical columns of sound over which the melody unfolds freely, generally in a homophonic texture. Much of the music is in one of the four basic meters, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, or 6/8, and moves at a steady tempo. If a piece or movement begins in a certain meter, it usually stays there until the end. Rhythm works closely with melody and harmony to make the symmetrical phrase-and-cadence structure of the piece clear. Well-defined sections establish the home key, move to contrasting but closely related keys, and return to the home key. The result is the beautifully molded architectural forms of the Classical style. Despite its aristocratic elegance, music of the Classical era absorbed a variety of folk and popular elements. This influence made itself felt not only in the German dances, minuets, and waltzes of the Viennese masters but also in their songs, symphonies, concertos, string quartets, and
The live theatrical production I chose to see was 9 to 5 The Musical. The production was performed by Fayetteville Technical Community College’s very own Fine Arts Department. The musical is based on the film released by Fox in 1980. Collin Higgins adapted the film from the book 9 to 5 written by Patricia Resnick. It wasn’t until 2008 that the film was adapted to a theatrical production. The production was originally brought to broadway by Robert Greenbait and Dolly Parton wrote the lyrics and the music for the Musical. The run on broadway was very short but the production later toured in other countries around the around the world.
During the course of the eighteenth century, both Peter I and Catherine II rose to power as Russian tsars implementing their social and political power upon their kingdom and people. They aimed to westernize Eastern Europe, amassing great power and tracts of land, yet the tactical process in which they did so differed for each individual. Peter I and Catherine the Great made effective changes within the structures of military, nobility, education, and peasantry.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of the most historical groups that was created in Boston Massachusetts. The Boston Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons’ Inaugural Concert took place in September of 2014. The concert was aired on television in May of 2015. The concert was dedicated to welcoming the new director of the Boston Symphony. The concert took place in one of the most proclaimed orchestra halls simply named Boston Hall. The complete orchestra was directed by Andris Nelsons himself. Along the side of the orchestra, his wife Kristine Opolais a soprano, joined him on the stage. A young man named Jonas Kaufmann, a tenor also joined them as well.
The main goal of the very talented English music composer and conductor Benjamin Zander was to convince his audience through his very interesting and inspirational video, “The Transformative Power of Classical Music” that ‘Classical Music is for every one’. He was not only able to keep the attention of his audience growing with his splendid performance but also was able to make them understand the depth of classical music. He chose the most beautiful piece of classical music in order to make sure that his audience love it.
Music is timeless. Its evolution constitutes part of history and through its creation history is created, as well. Music can be used to trace tendencies all around the world for each period since it has been one of the ways through which the humans have been able to express themselves. Music has also served as the tool to identify certain periods of time, that way, each generation is influenced by the iconic musical styles that prevailed during the previous one. However, the so known classical music, which is comprised by the work of great composers like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, or Brahms starting from the 11th century to the present day and includes the Classical period and several other, has influenced appreciably the production of popular music nowadays. The song “Karma” by Alicia Keys is a vivid example of this musical custom. In this song, the artist merges samples of Johannes Brahms’s Violin Concerto, Op. 77 to conform a mix of two very different musical styles.
The revolution resulted in the development of a new social class the middle class. This class contained factory, min owners as well as engineers, doctors and lawyers. The flourish of this new social class greatly noticeable in Britain as the British scholars were more practical rather than theoretical. As Strayer explains, the discoveries on atmospheres and vacuums promoted the innovation of the steam engine in Britain (Strayer, 2012; 834). The industrial revolution brought the social status of business men up as they benefited the most from the industrial revolution, it can also be said that the factory and min owners were the sponsors of the industrial revolution. Because of their wealth they got the advantage of living a healthy life in the villages away from the diseases that were spreading in the overcrowded cities. However, the aristocrats lost their social power and were harmed by the industrial revolution. They struggled to keep their power in the parliament but as the industrial revolution grew they became less important to the economy and by the end of the nineteenth century they were replaced by businessmen in the parliament. “The aristocracy’s declining political clout was demonstrated in the 1840s when high tariffs on foreign agricultural imports… were finally abolished” (Strayer, 2012; 837), this is when the aristocrats struggled the most because the taxes were very high and they could not pay their
Every person has a past, every race has a heritage, and every family has a legacy. In Wilson’s play, four protagonists, Boy Willie, Berniece, Doaker and Wining Boy are all wounded by their traumatic pasts’ and have only have one reminder of their family history – the piano. During the beginning of the play, Wilson describes the setting and illustrates a piano that is dominating the parlor and gathering dust in the Charles’ home. The piano is covered with carvings of events and “mask-like figures resembling totems.” Wilson then begins to describe the carvings as “graceful” and rendering a “power of invention that lifts them out of the realm of craftsmanship and into the realm of art.” Nevertheless, to the Charles’ family, the piano is not just an ornately carved piano but rather the only symbol of their family legacy; the only way to understand the piano is to go back to the period of slavery. In the play, Doaker begins to reveal the family history to Boy Willie and explains the significance of the piano. During the slave period, Boy Willie and Bernice’s' grandfather's (Willie Boy) was owned by a man named Robert Sutter. Sutter had traded their grandmother and uncle for the piano as a present for his wife, Miss Ophelia. After getting tired of the piano, Miss Ophelia missed her slaves so much, Sutter made Willie Boy hand-carve the faces of his wife and son's faces all over the piano. However, Willie Boy didn't end there; he carved all of his ancestors onto the piano and “all kinds of things that happened with [the] family.” Miss Ophelia became ecstatic when she saw the piano, because “now she had her piano and her niggers too.” When she looked at the carvings in the piano, she could see all the faces of the slaves she missed and the...
The Symphony Orchestra concert was preformed by The OU School of Music with Jonathan Shames as a conductor and they presented Sutton Concert Series. In addition, the Orchestra concert performed at Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall in October 12, 2015.There were like forty-one performers on the stage including the conductor using different types of instruments and and all of them were wearing a nice black clothes. The stage was a quite large with wooden floor and there were two floors for the audience with a comfortable seating. However, all the performers were on round shape and against the conductor.
What would the world be like without music? The world would be a very silent place. Music is in many ways the material of our lives and the meaning of society. It is a reminder of how things were in the old days, a suggestion of how things are, and a view of where society is leading to. Music is the direct reflection of the picture of art, music, and literature. Music can be a way to deliver messages, being poetic, a fine art, or it can just be for entertainment. No matter what it is used for, music is the perfect art there is and there are various types of music; such as classical and romantic. This paper will discuss how classical music and romantic music had a turning point in humanity’s social or cultural development, and how they have
On Sunday, April 19 2015 at 2:00 pm in Carnegie hall, the American Symphony Orchestra performed five pieces by various composers. The pieces performed at the American Symphony Orchestra include Alleluia, Dream-king and his love, Symphony NO.2, Music for Cello and Orchestra, and Cantares. Various well-known composers such as Randall Thompson, Horatio Parker, George Rochberg, Leon Kirchner, and Roberto Sierra composed the pieces included. All of which have an amazing skill and talent in composing music, which has been demonstrated by the American Symphony Orchestra.
The Middle Ages, also known as Medieval Era, was a period in history dating back to 476 CE through the early fifteenth century. During this period the church was viewed as a dominating force that led intellectual and cultural life. As emphasis on the church and religion grew, many aspects of everyday life were influenced and shaped towards a more spiritual ideal. Therefore, music began to reflect the practices and teachings of the church in attempt to inspire worshippers and encourage praise; singing the church texts did this. Although music provided other entertainment and secular values, its main purpose was a sacred and religious one. Mass was seen as the most important church service of the day with intentions of teaching the difference between good and evil. In order to maintain this sense of morality, music incorporated the church teachings into its text as a way to keep religious practices lively and increase worship participation during church.
The late eighteenth century was the beginning of a crucial turning point throughout Europe. In 1789, the people of France revolted against their government, proving that an absolute monarch did not hold all the power, and that citizens were not afraid to stand up for their rights. Known as the French Revolution, it lasted into the late 1790’s and paved the way for more freedom and equality among all citizens. Although this was a major movement for the future of European people in the nineteenth century, another equally significant accomplishment was beginning to unfold in England. The 1780’s marked the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in England, which led the way for tremendous population and economic growth throughout Europe.
Ludwig van Beethoven once said “Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.” Beethoven is known as one of the greatest composers of the classical era who was not afraid to push the boundaries of the music world. But who was the man behind the music? Beethoven’s life was filled with many obstacles beginning at a young age. This can be heard throughout all of the music he writes. One piece in particular is Symphony No. 3 also known as Sinfonia Eroica.
The Classical Era saw the convergence of two opposing schools of thought in society. The first was the leftover from the Baroque Era, which said that the nobility had absolute power of society. The second was from the middle class, who said that the nobility had gone too far with their power and should give some of their power over to the middle class.
How would an actor prepare to successfully portay the role of the Dan in the traditional Peking Opera play „The Drunken Beauty“?