Discussion Board 1 – Medieval and Renaissance Periods
Viderunt Omnes (“All Have Seen”), beginning section organum/plainchant – Leonin (Featured Listening p37)
What is plainchant? What is organa? How did Leonin use plainchant to create organa? How did his student Perotin expand on the practice? How many voices do you hear in Viderunt Omnes? If you were going to describe this music to a friend, what would you say? After you post your answer, read and respond to the posts of at least two other classmates.
Please note that answers should be 5-7 sentences long and your own original thoughts and opinions. Plagiarized answers will be rejected.
Discussion Board 2 – The Baroque Era
Thy Hand, Belinda and When I am Laid in the Earth, from Act 3 of Dido and Aeneas Recitative and Aria– Purcell (Featured Listening p.71)
Define recitative. Define aria. Which of these two pieces is an example of recitative and which is aria? Why do you think Baroque Operas used both recitative and aria? Which do you prefer and why? After you post your answer, read and respond to the posts of at least two other classmates.
Please note that answers should be 5-7 sentences long and your own original thoughts and opinions. Plagiarized answers will be rejected.
Discussion Board 3 – The Classical Era
String Quartet op. 33 no. 3 (“The Bird”), 4th movement String Quartet – Haydn (Featured Listening p. 136)
This piece is written for a string quartet. How many instruments are in a string quartet and what are they? Describe Rondo form. Compare and contrast the two melodies used in this piece. Why do you think this piece is called “The Bird”? Why was Haydn able to compose so much music? After you post your answer, read and respond to the posts of at least two other classmates.
Please note that answers should be 5-7 sentences long and your own original thoughts and opinions. Plagiarized answers will be rejected.
Discussion Board 4 – The Romantic Area
Nocturne, op. 9 no. 2 Solo Piano – Chopin (Featured Listening p 178)
When you listen to this piece, what does it make you think of and how does it make you feel? What do you think “Nocturne” means? Is that an appropriate title for this piece? The piano uses rubato throughout – what effect does that have on the performance? Do you think the use of rubato enhances the performance, or would you rather hear a steady beat throughout the piece? After you post your answer, read and respond to the posts of at least two other classmates.
Please note that answers should be 5-7 sentences long and your own original thoughts and opinions. Plagiarized answers will be rejected.
Discussion Board 5 – The Early Twentieth Century
Concerto for Orchestra, 4th movement “Interrupted Intermezzo” Concerto – Bartok (Featured Listening p. 263)
Nationalistic music is often based on traditional folk music. What was revolutionary about the way Bartok studied the folk music of Hungary? What is rondo form? Why is this piece described as rondo-like? Describe the different themes you hear. Do you like the variety of themes, meter and tempo or does it feel disjointed to you? After you post your answer, read and respond to the posts of at least two other classmates. After you post your answer, read and respond to the posts of at least two other classmates.
Please note that answers should be 5-7 sentences long and your own original thoughts and opinions. Plagiarized answers will be rejected.
Discussion Board 6 – American Innovations in the Arts
“Lost you Head Blues” Classic Blues – Bessie Smith (Featured Listening p. 293)
What instrument plays the introduction? What pattern do the lyrics for blues usually follow? How many bars (or measures) does the standard blues form have? How are “blue notes” created? The song text is usually personal and full of feeling, but not always sad. Can you think of some topics that might be appropriate for The Blues? After you post your answer, read and respond to the posts of at least two other classmates.
Please note that answers should be 5-7 sentences long and your own original thoughts and opinions. Plagiarized answers will be rejected.
Discussion Board 7 – Twentieth-Century Internationalism
“Moonlight on the Ching Yang River” Traditional Chinese Music (Listening Guide p. 347)
This piece has a melody with variations. Can you pick out the main melody? Name and describe each of the three instruments used in this piece. This music is intended to portray the moonlight on the river. Do you think that is what it sounds like? Why or why not? After you post your answer, read and respond to the posts of at least two other classmates.
Please note that answers should be 5-7 sentences long and your own original thoughts and opinions.
————-
ESSAY
Research the answers to the following 10 questions for each composer. Write a 1,000- to 1,200-word essay consisting of an introduction, one paragraph about each composer, and a conclusion.
Composers:
Medieval and Renaissance Periods: Thomas Weelkes
The Baroque Era: Arcangelo Corelli
The Classical Era: Marianne Martinez
The Romantic Era: Louis Moreau Gottschalk
The Early Twentieth Century: Francis Poulenc
American Innovations in the Arts: Danny Elfman
Twentieth Century Internationalism: Ali Akbar Khan
Questions:
What are the years of the composer’s birth, and, where applicable, death?
Where was the composer born? Where did they compose (if different than birthplace)
What musical training did the composer receive, if any?
Does/did the composer play any instruments? If so, what instrument(s) is the composer most well-known for playing?
Which genre(s) did the composer contribute to? If they contributed to multiple genres, where did they make the greatest impact?
Who were the composer’s influences or teachers?
In what ways is the composer’s work characteristic of their time period?
What are some of the composer’s most famous works?
What challenges, if any, did the composer face that may have affected their work?
What is innovative about the composer’s work?
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|