GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Minuet and Trio French country dance dance of the baroque baroque period, graceful, simple triple meter (3/4), moderate tempo.
Form: Individually Binary/Rounded Binary. Binary. Overall Ternary Ternary Compositions: Chamber music, Symphonies and Sonatas Example: Beethoven: Piano Sonata Sonata Op.2 No.1 No.1 in F minor: 3rd Movement Haydn – Symphony No.104 in D Major (The London) Bach – French Suite No.6 in E major
Scherzo Haydn wrote minuets which are very close to scherzi in tone and was responsible for increasing their tempo, but it was Beethoven and Schubert who first used the form widely, with Beethoven in particular turning the polite rhythm of the minuet into a much more intense — and sometimes even savage — dance. Beethoven – Piano Sonata Op.2 No.2 in A major Chopin – 4 Scherzo Op.20 Mendelssohn – Scherzo in Midsummer Night’s Dream Beethoven – Symphony No.9 Haydn’s String Quartet No.32 in C major Movement II
Air with Variations Simply tune, melody or theme in binary form. Independent piece or a movement in string quartet, symphony etc Piano: Mozart- Sonata in A K331 1 st movement
Beethoven- Symphony No.3 (Eroica) Final Final Movement Bach – Goldberg Variations Handel – Harmonious Blacksmith (Suite No.5 in E Major) Haydn – Emperor string quartet Op.76, no.3
Recitative Emphasis on text. Melody, rhythm and time are largely disregarded in order to convey and imitate the natural inflections of speech. Secco: Minimal Accompaniment (Harpsichord/organ and plucked string instrument (Lute)), Occasional chords to support the pitch and carry forward the harmony and modulations, To rapidly convey large passages of dialogue E Susanna Non Vein - Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) Behold, a virgin shall conceive - Messiah (Handel)
Accompagnato: Used in more dramatic situations, Full orchestral accompaniment emphasised rapid changes of emotion in the dialogue. Don Ottavio, son morta - Don Giovanni (Mozart) Comfort ye, my people – Messiah (Handel)
Aria Repeated Lyrics, Lyrics, Focus on melody, Orchestral ritornello (short introduction of a melodic passage), Virtuosity and elaborate ornamentation, Da Capo Aria (ABA) – Lengthy solo vocal piece Operas: Where e’er you walk (Semele by Handel) Handel) - Ternary (Da (Da Capo Aria) Dalla Sua Sua Pac Pac (Don Giovanni by Mozart) Mozart) - FORM? Porgi Amor (The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart) –FORM? Oratarios:
He Shall Feed his flock ( Messiah by Handel) - Binary Every Valley shall be exalted (Messiah by Handel) – FORM?
Orchestral Instruments Flute Physical Description : Cylindrical, Side blown through a mouth-hole: Three sections are detachable and slot into each other. Material: Wood, Ebonite or Silver Tonal Quality: Qua lity: Ranges from from langourous in low register to clear and brilliant at top; produces a pure but less penetrating sound than the other wind instruments. Extremely agile. Overblowing: Adjusting embouchure and wind pressure, produce a harmonic Flutter Tonguing: Invented by Richard Strauss. A technique developed to produce a buzzing sound by rolling the tongue. Used for fast chromatic passages. Range: C1 – C4 Other: Mechanisms (the system of rods and levers controlling the length of the air channel) was invented by Theobald Boehm
Example: Debussy’s Tone Poem - Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun Tchaikovsky’s Nut Craker Suite
Oboe Physical Description: Conical, Double-reed instrument, End blown, Speaker Key Overblow Interval: Octave Tonal Quality: Qua lity: Can range from nasal and plaintive to charming. Can even be playful. Good at light staccato and smooth cantabile. Range: Bb – G3 Example: Prokoiev – Peter and the Wolf (The Duck’s Theme)
Clarinet Physical Description: Cylindrical, Single-reed, End blown Overblow Interval: Twelfth Transposing: B flat – one tone. A – Minor 3rd. Tonal Quality : Can range from creamy and warm to shrill and menacing. Range: E(low) – C4 [Written Range] Other: Two registers registe rs – Chalumeau to the break (about 3 rd line B), and Clarino above that. Clarinet in A - music in sharp keys; keys; Clarinet in Bb – Music in flat keys keys
Example: Shostakovich – Symphony No.9: II Moderato (Wistful Melody)
Bassoon Physical Description : Conical, Double-reed, End blown, Speaker Key, Crook (Metal tube that attaches the reed) Overblow Interval: Octave Tonal Quality : Thick , reedy, rich and sonorous sonorous in lower register. register. Expressive in middle and plaintive at top. Can be mournful, hollow or even skittish in upper register. Range: Bb(low bass) bass ) – “High G” on the Tenor Tenor Clef Cle f – High D ; OR, D2 in Treble Treble Other: Due to its great length, it is doubled back on itself. System of rods and levers designed by Heckel. Example: Paul Dukas – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Bassoon has a comic sound) Prokoiev – Peter and the Wolf (Grandfather’s Theme) T heme)
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1.
Give Give exam example ples s of of Reci Recita tativ tive e and and aria aria by Moza Mozart rt and and Han Handel del In succession:
Recitative Accompagnato, Comfort ye, my people is followed by the aria, “Every Valley Shall be Exalted” Recitative Accompagnato “Don “Don Ottavio, Son Morta” Morta” and follows by the aria “Or Sai Chi L’onore” L’onore” Aria: Porgi Amour by Mozart Mozart –The Marriage of Figaro. Figaro. Every valley shall be exalted by Handel –Messiah. Dalla Sua Pac by Mozart – Don Giovanni. Where e’vr you walk by Handel Semele
Recitative: Don Ottavio, Ottavio, Son Morta b by y Mozart – Don Giovanni. Behold a Virgin shall conceive by Handel – Messiah. Comfort Ye, My people by Handel – Messiah
2.
Comp Compar are e and and con contr tras astt th the Cla Clari rine nett and and Bass Bassoo oon n The clarinet is an end-blown, cylindrical shaped instrument which uses a single reed and requires transposition. Its music it notated on the treble stave and has a warm and creamy low register(chalumeau) ranging up to a shrill and menacing upper register (clarino) (clar ino) by use of a speaker key. key. This speaker key, is a mechanism shared by the bassoon to produce harmonic intervals. The clarinet has an overblown interval of a twelfth while the bassoon has an interval of an octave.
In contrast, the bassoon is a conical shaped, end-blown instrument which uses a double reed. Although it does not require transposition, it differs further from the clarinet by employing the bass and tenor clef (C clef). Its tonal quality is thick, reedy and quite serious in the lower register ranging to skittish in the upper register.
3.
Give example of Scherzo Mendelssohn – Scherzo from Midsummer Nights’ dream Beethoven – Piano Sonata in A major Op.2 No.2 Chopin – Four Scherzo for Piano Op20
Haydn – Symphony No.104 (The London)
4.
What What cha charac racte teris ristic tics s of the the cla clarin rinet et dis distin tingu guis ish h is fro from m othe otherr wood woodwin winds ds? ? The clarinet is the only instrument form the family which requires transposition. Unlike the oboe or bassoon, it requires only a single cane reed and is cylindrical in shape (however flute is also of this shape). Also, the clarinet is the only instrument to have an overblow interval of a twelfth.
5.
Examples of Recitative Secco Behold, a virgin shall conceive by handel – Messiah E Susanna Non Vein Vein by Mozart- The Marriage of Figaro Figaro
6.
How di did th the Trio ge get it its na name? Traditionally, a minuet would be contrasted by a second minuet scored only for three instruments.
7.
Wher Where e wou would ld you expe expect ct to find find a minue minuett and and trio trio in a cla class ssic ical al symp sympho hony ny? ? Third movement of a four movement work, or, second movement of a three movement work.
8.
How How doe does s Sch Scher erzo zo diff differ er in char charac acte terr fro from m a minu minuet et? ? It is more lively, possessing vigorous rhythms and a quick tempo. The literal translation is ‘joke’, which helps define the essential character and spirit of the piece.
9.
How How wou would ld you you des descr crib ibe e th the spe speed ed and and rhy rhyth thm m of of a minu minuet et? ? The minuet is a graceful stylised dance of French origins. It employs a simple triple meter (3/4) and moderate tempo
10.. 10
Name Name two two com compo pose sers rs of inde indepe pen ndent dent sch scherzi erzi? ? Chopin – Four Scherzi Op.20 Brahms - Scherzo in E-flat minor Op.4
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Give Give 3 adjec adjectiv tives es to to desc describ ribe e the the char charact acter er of of a sch scherz erzo? o? Playful, light-hearted, quick-paced, humorous.
12.. 12
What What is mean meantt by by the the term term ‘har ‘harmo moni nic c vari variat ation ions’ s’? ? The theme or air has been modified by altering the harmonies under the melody.
13.. 13
Give Give thr three ee exa examp mple les s of of Ai Airr with with Varia ariati tion ons? s? Handel- The Harmonious Blacksmith (Suite in No.5 E major) Britten- Young People Guide Guide to the Orchestra (On (On a theme of Purcell) Purcell) Bach - Goldberg Variations Beethoven – 32 Variation in C minor Mozart – Piano Sonata in A Major K331, 1st movement.
14.
Mention Mention three three ways ways in which which the scherzo scherzo develop developed ed as as compa compared red with its origin?
Tempo Tempo developed, quickening from the minuets graceful flow. flow. Substituted for f or the minuet and trio in larger works (Symphonies, String Quartets, Sonatas) usually as the third movement, sometimes the second. During the romantic period, the character of the piece became less restricted; broadening from playful and fairylike (Mendelssohn), full of rough energy (Brahms) and intense and sudden mood changes (Chopin). Beethoven developed the polite rhythm into a more intense – even savage – form. Developed into a stand alone piece. Haydn, credited with the initial development of the form, made use of the Scherzo only as a substitute movement for his string quartets
15.
Name Name two two of the earlies earliestt compo composer sers s of of Air with Variatio ariations ns and and in whic which h century did they live? Handel – The Harmonious Blacksmith (Suite No.5 in E Major) Bach- Goldberg Variations
Both were composers of the Baroque Era.
16.
What is is a speaker ke key? A key which allows an extra hole to be opened, producing a harmonic; often called the overblowing interval.
17.. 17
What What is the the cr crook of a bas bassoon soon? ? The crook is a curved metal pipe which holds the reed. It is positioned and shaped as to overcome handling issues of the large instrument.
18.
The The Flu Flutte ov overb erblow lows an octave. ve.
19.. 19
What What is is the the differ differen ence ce bet betwe ween en the the reeds reeds of of an obo oboe e and and the the clarin clarinet? et? The Oboe uses a double reed, while clarinet only uses a single reed. Both are made from specifically prepared cane. The oboe’s double reed is bound and easily fits into the slot. While the clarinet’s single reed and is clamped to the mouthpiece. *Clarinet doesn't use vibrato but oboe does.
20.. 20
How How does does the the emb embou ouch chur ure e diffe differr betwee between n the the two two inst instru rumen ments ts? ?
The oboe and bassoon bassoon have similar embouchures, embouchures, the instruments are played with the upper and lower lips pulled back over the teeth to form a cushion for the reed. The more cushion the better the sound. Mouthpiece is placed in the centre of the mouth. Bottom lip curves back and upper teeth semi- rest on the top of the beak, but do not bite it.
21.. 21
How How is is the the ton tone e of of the the flut flute e pro produ duce ced? d? The flute is a side blown instrument, the player blows air directly across the mouth hole. The air inside the column begins to vibrate producing natural frequencies. Depending on which keys are depressed, that is the length of the air column, results in tone and pitch. As the flute does not use reeds, it has a pure non-penetrating sound.
22.
What is embouchure? The method of blowing. Adjusting and tightening the lips and breath control to activate the air column.
23.
What What differ different ent types types of of instru instrumen mentati tation on were were used used for for recita recitative tives s in baroqu baroque e and classical period? Discuss.
24.
Name Name a set of varia variation tions s by by the the follow following ing compos composers: ers: Byrd, Byrd, Handel, Handel, Bach, Bach, Beethoven, Britten. Carman’s Whistle – William Byrd The harmonious Blacksmith (Suite No.5 in E major) – Handel Goldberg Variations Variations – Bach 32 Variation in C minor – Beethoven Young Young People’s Guide to the t he Orchestra – Britten Brit ten
25.
Explain Explain why a symph symphony ony clarinet clarinet player player has has two two inst instrum rument ents, s, one one in in Bb Bb and and one in A? The Bb instrument is mainly chosen for flat keys, while the A instrument is chosen for the sharp keys. Eg: A concert key which is written in sharps will elect for the A clarinet.
26.
In the the perio period d from from Bach Bach to Brah Brahms, ms, what what form form was most most commo commonly nly used used for for air and variations? Air was a short melody or theme which was in binary form. Air with variations was a form much favoured by western composers over the last four centuries.
27.
What is a concord?
Intervals which are self-satisfying: Perfect Concords: Perfect 4th, 5th 8ve and unison Imperfect Concords: Major and Minor 3rds and 6ths.
28.
What is a discord? Does not offer any resolution is sound. sound. Major and minor 2nds and 7ths. 7ths. All augmented and diminished intervals.
29.
Who is resp respons onsible ible for the the devel developm opment ent of the the sche scherzo rzo from from the the minue minuet? t? Haydn has been credited with the transition of the minuet to scherzo as a movement to his string quartets. However, Beethoven developed the form to greater depths during the classic period.
30.
Name ame an an A Ari ria a by by Moz Mozar artt an and Han Hande del? l? Dalla Sua Pac – Don Giovanni (Mozart) Porgi Amour – The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) Every Valley shall be exhalted – Messiah (Handel)
31.. 31
Whic Which h wood woodwi wind nd iins nstr trum umen entt uses uses dou doubl ble e reed reeds? s? Bassoon and Oboe
32.. 32
Name Name the the reg regis ister ters s of the the clar clarin inet et in in the the corr correc ectt orde orderr. Chalumeau – from low E to about the 3rd line B Clarino – middle register Altissimo – Begins two octaves above middle C
33. 33.
Name Name and and obs obsol olet ete e woo woodw dwin ind d ins instr trum umen ent. t. Chalumeau
34.. 34
Wher Where e did did the the obo oboe e des desce cen nd fr from? om? Shawm.
