Sarabande and Gigue from Partita in D

This is one of the most popular types of keyboard composition in the late Baroque period was a set of dance movements know as a suite.  They are not intended for dancing, but to be played at home, usually on the harpsichord.  The Sarabande and the Gigue are the forth and seventh movement of a suite respectively. There is no musical directions such as dynamic marks of articulation in these pieces as they are rarely seen in Baroque period.  It would have been assumed that musicians would know from experience that all the dynamics and tempos are adjusted by themselves.  Performers would also added a few ornaments to the music when they repeat the music for the second time.
As in most Baroque suites,  all the dances are in the same key (D major) and each is in binary form.  They consist of two section, the first one ends in dominant(In this piece of music, the A major) and the second one passing through other related keys and end in the tonic key.  

In the Sarabande,  the first section consist of three four-bar phrases, the first one ends with a perfect cadence in D, the second with imperfect cadence in A and the third one with perfect cadence in A.  Besides the G sharp, all the accidentals indicate chromatic notes.  The longer second section begins in the relative minor (B minor) and E minor before returning to the tonic key in the last ten bars.  Recapitulation appears in the last part of the Sarabande, the most of the materials in the first section are appeared again at nearly the end.  This is described as 'rounded binary form'.  The texture of this piece is homophonic, with melody in the treble part and harmony in the bass part.  Chords are appeared in more important places such as cadences. 


In the Gigue, the first 21 bras are in a fugal texture.  The opening melody is known as the fugal subject and is followed by fugal answer in dominant key in the bass part.  Counterpoint is used in the middle part of the piece, and subjects and counter-suubjects can be heard continuously in this passage.  Subjects is reappeared in the remaining bars, while sometimes it evaporate only after it appears one bar long and sometimes the opening arpeggio is inverted.  The first section of this piece ends with a perfect cadence in the dominant key (A major), and the second section ends in the tonic key (D major).

CSVPA Concert Review - Performance in Jigsaw

This is held in a Ladies' outfit shop called Jigsaw in 8th December, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.  We have carried our own electronic piano from the second floor of Bridge House and it is very heavy!  We have arrived and started to setup our own performance area in 4:45pm.  Here are the pieces that we have performed that night :


All I want for Christmas Is You  - Laysan and Hyuk
La Pastorella - Cindy and Arion
Christmas Carols - All
Warwick Avenue - Kabi and Hyuk
Mozart Piano Duel K381 Movement I - Arion and Brian
Mozart Piano Dual K381 Movement II,III - Arion and David
"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" Variation - Hyuk


I think although there is not much audience that night,  we have done a great job on performing those pieces.  Actually we have attracted quite a few customers, especially when the singers are singing.  They had well prepared and very few of them has sung out of tune.  I really like those Christmas carols as their melodies are very beautiful and enjoyable.  This is a very good experience in performing in the public and I have gained a lot in this performance.

Research on Baroque Music

     Baroque music last for about 150 years, which is approximately between 1600 and 1750.  Before that, people were still having Renaissance music, such as music using modes, and some using monophonic texture.  Music in Baroque period became more polyphonic, and concept of orchestra was first introduced.  Major composers such as J. S. Bach, Handel and Pachelbel were also born in this period.

     J. S. Bach was probably the most important person at this period.  He was borne in Eisenach, German. Bach had chosen St. Michel's church in Luneburg for singing in the choir, where was the place that helped him to became an advanced musical career. Friedrich Emanuel Praetorius had added many important music manuscripts and prints to the school library, thus the school had dozens of collections of music pieces and became famous. The basis for Bach’s chorale piece was probably built in this school.  Everybody should have heard of his preludes and fugues, inventions, partitas and suites. One of his most famous pieces should be "Air on the G String" from Orchestral Suite No.3 in D major, BWV 1068.  It was written for Bach's patron Prince Leopold of Anhalt in between the years 1717 and 1723.  Another famous piece should be the six cello suites, especially the prelude.  It was written for unaccompanied cello, which the six suites are all in different keys.  There were also written in between 1717 and 1723.

     The major influence should be the instrumental music.  Basso continuo, which is also known as figured bass, was introduced in this period.  It was notations that gave bass part players to identify the chords they were playing.  It was also a distinct feature in the Baroque period.  Many instruments are also produced during this period, such as the violin family, flutes, bassoons, timpani and clavichords.  Different forms are also developed, such as fugal forms, variation forms, chorale preludes, improvisatory forms and sonata form. Sonata form was the most important development, as classical period and romantic period also use sonata form as one the the major forms in the compositions.  Orchestra was also formed in this period.  There are two parts in the orchestra, which is solo part and tutti part. This is called concerto grosso, which is the main form of Baroque orchestra literature.  The major component in the orchestra was strings, while there are usually less woodwind and percussion players.  The bass players would be responsible for the basso continuo, and different instruments doubled on each part , thus there was not much color in the Baroque orchestras.

     Ornamentation and basso continuo would be the main characteristic styles of music.  As instrumental music started to get more popular in this period, the ornamentation was also getting more complicated and decorative.  Although they are rarely written out in the music, performers frequently added lots of ornaments to the music.  Shakes, turns, appoggiaturas and mordants are some of the most commonly used ornaments.  Chromatic scales and chords are also used to decorate the piece.  Basso continuo was the distinct feature on Baroque period, as stated before. Counterpoint is also used to harmonize the bass line and make the chord sounds more elegant.  Terraced dynamics are always used in Baroque music, unlike the gradual change, which can be found in Romantic period and 20th century period.  Some works used regular rhythms and strict tempo, while some works are allowed the performer to have rubato.  Cantatas and oratorios were also originated in this period, which is the foundation for the vocal music in later periods.  One of the most famous oratorio pieces would be "Messiah" form Handel. 

Work Cited:

Baroque Music - Part One. Elaine Thornburgh. 13 Oct 2010 <http://trumpet.sdsu.edu/M151/Baroque_Music1.html>.

Baroque Music - Part Two. Elaine Thornburgh. 13 Oct 2010 <http://trumpet.sdsu.edu/M151/Baroque_Music2.html>.

Johann Sebastian Bach's life (1685-1750). Jan Koster. 2002. 13 Oct 2010 <http://www.let.rug.nl/Linguistics/diversen/bach/map.html>.

The Baroque Era. Ryan A., Lauren S., Jesse B.. 1998. 13 Oct 2010 <http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/history/history-bar-inst.htm>.

Music of the Early Baroque Period. W. W. Norton & Company. 2002. 13 Oct 2010 <http://www.wwnorton.com/college/music/concise/ch9_outline.htm>.

Concert Review - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

It was held in Corn Exchange in 8:10pm, 9th December.  The conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchstra is Andris Nelsons, who is a Latvia.  The soloist is called Louis Lortie, who is a French-Canadian.  He is particularly good at playing Chopin, Ravel and Beethoven.

Here is the program at that night:

Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Concerto No.5 "Emperor"

Rachmaninoff - Symphony No.2

Although there is only two pieces, the performance was not short at all and is very impressive.  For the "Emperor" by Beethoven, The orchestra has played very well as the chords are strong enough "ff" parts, and the piano has a very refined technique and has done a great job in displaying the best best tone quality.
The second one is Rachmoninoff's Symphony No.2.  I think the orchestration of this piece is really rich and great because lots of instruments are used in this piece and they blend together perfectly, creating a enjoyable atmoshpere for the audience to listen to.

Concert Review - Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio

It was held in St John's Bar in Cambridge Corn Exchange at 6:00pm, 24th October. The conductor of  the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio is called Terje Mikkelsen, who is a Norwegian.  He is the principle guest conductor of this orchestra.  The violin soloist is called Alena Baeva, who is a Russian. 

The program at that night is as follow:


Ole Olsen - The Wild Hunt of Thor


Jean Sibelius - Voilin Concerto in D minor, Op.47


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Symnphony No.4


The first piece is rarely heard - even the composer is rarely heard. It is a tone poem depicting a kind of Ride of the Valkyries by Qagner and showing the Norweigan mythlogy.  It is quite good and we all enjoyed it.  The seond one is a violin concerto by Sibelius.  It is relatively long but the performance of the soloist was impressive.  The last one is Symphony No.4 by Tchaikovsky. As I have to play the timpani part for the audition, I have listened to the timpani part carefully and looked at how he played.  I think he has maintained a steady rhythm and this is very hard as the notes in the timpani part is very hard to be counted.  But he has played a little bit too loud thus has covered the flute ahnd violin part when the timpani start to play "mf" - "ff" parts.

Concert Review - Piano Recital

It was held in Bateman Auditorium in Gonville and Caius College in 11th September, 6:30pm. The pianist is called Gulsin Onay who is a Turkish. 

Program of that day is as follow:

1.     Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata in C# minor, Op.27 no.3 "Quasi una Fantasia"

2.     Fedrick Chopin - Nocturne in F# minor, Op.48 No.3

3.     Fedrick Chopin - Grande Polonaise Brilliante Op.22

4.     Fedrick Chopin - Andante Spianto

5.     Claude Debussy - Images, Livre II

6.     Robert Schumann - ABEGG variantions Op.1

7.     Bela Bartok - 6 Sketches Op.9b


I can feel the emotion of the piece when she plays Chopin, because I think she is particularly good at playing Chopin's pieces.  She plays "Images" very well too, not too loud but still can bring out the beautiful melody.  Although there is a little bit mistakes when she played the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, the overall performance was really satisfied.  She has played a few more encore pieces and there are awesome too. 

Fugue

Fugue is one of the most common type of music in the Baroque period.  It is a contrapuntal piece in two or more voices, while subjects and answers are reappearing in these voices throughout the piece. The terms used in Fugue will be explained in this composition.

It usually consist of 3 sections : an exposition, a development and a recapitulation ( which contains the return of the subject in the tonic key of that fugue, though not all fugues have a recapitulation. )


Subject - This is the main theme of a fugue, which is the first melody heard in that piece.


Counter Subject - This is another different melody heard when the 'answer' enters.


Answer - Each subject that enters will be 'answered', which means the subject is repeated ( usually ) in the dominant key. There is two types of answers : tonal answer and real answer.


1. Real Answer - It is the transposition of the subject to the dominant key, without changing any notes of the subject.


2. Tonal Answer - It is the transposition of the subject, but it can have minor changes and looks like it is still in the home key(tonic).


Exposition - The whole exposition is completed when all voices of the fugue subject has entered, for example when the last voice is finished.


Middle Entries - This is a further entry of the subject. It must state the subject or answer at least once in its entirety, and may be heard in combination with the countersubject(s) from the exposition, new countersubjects or any of these in combination.


Episode - connecting passage based on previously heard subject, more entries of the subject in the related keys will be heard.  Episode and entries are alternated until the final entry.


Final Entry - It is where the music returns to the opening theme in tonic key, and is often followed by coda.


Coda - It is the closing material of the piece, and when it ends, the whole piece is then ended.


Let's listen to a representative composition of fugue, composed by J.S.Bach :
Die Kunst der fuge (The Art of Fugue)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArpIePdK4Yc

CSVPA Music Concert Series Vol.1

The first concert was held in 21st, Oct, 2010, with the main theme of Halloween.  It started at 6:00 pm and last for one and half hour.  All the audiences were all very enjoy and we gained a lot of experiences too!


Here is the flow of pieces at that night :


1.    Jazz Jam                               by David, Michael, Hyuk and Brian
2.    Cry Me a River                       by Gabi, David, Hyuk and Michael
3.    Consolation                            by Sanly
4.    Make You Feel My Love          by Laysan and Sanly
5.    Nocturne                                by Arion
6.    La Parstorella                         by Cindy, Arion and Brian
7.    Pirates of Caribbean Medley  by David, Michael, Hyuk and Brian


The first, second and the fourth piece are modern pieces while the others are classical pieces.  Although there is a little problem with David's violin at the beginning, Kyna helped to fix the violin and the flow and continue very fluently throughout the concert.  There is no really serious mistakes and everyone did enjoy their pieces.  This made the audience felt very comfortable and entertaining!


Everyone dressed up and did make-up on our faces to look scary and funny, because this is a halloween concert!  Fortunately, the audience was not scared away by our faces! :D
All of us went to McDonalds to celebrate afterwards.  We felt very successful and glad that audience were really into the music made by us.  Hope that the series can make everybody enjoy music!

Music History - Classical Period

Classical period last for about 90 years, which started from approximately 1730 and ended in about 1820.  Music at this period is much lighter and clearer and also less complex texture than in Baroque period.  Musical directions was starting to be indicated in the music, such as crescendo, diminuendo and ritard.  Homophonic is mainly used in this period, and change of mood and tempo became more popular.  Orchestra was bigger than in Baroque period, harpsichord was also fell out of the orchestra, and the woodwind section has became an independent section already.

(I love classical music! :D)

Sonata form, often called first movement form or sonata-allegro form, was invented in this period.  This is one of the the major forms that is being used in classical music such as symphonies and chamber music. It consists of an exposition, a development and a recapitulation.


The exposition includes a first subject that consist of one or more themes, and all of them are in home key.  It is then followed by a transition for the composer to modulate from the key of the first subject to the key of the second one.  Then, the second subject will be appeared in a different key(usually the dominant if the key of the first subject is in major, and the relative major if the key of the first subject is in minor).  Then, the exposition will be ended in a perfect cadence by a codetta, which is a shorter form of coda.


It is then followed by the development part.  It is usually in the same key of the codetta of the exposition, and keys may be changes throughout the whole development part.  It consists of one or more extended themes from the exposition.  The length of development varies greatly in each piece, although it always shows a greater degree of tonal, harmonic and rhythmic instability than other parts.  At the end of the development part the key will be returned to the dominant key for preparing the start of recapitulation.


Recapitulation is the repeat of the exposition, thus it also consist of the first subject, transition, second subject and the codetta.  The second subject is now in the home key, sometimes with change of mode from major to minor or vice versa.  The codetta is sometimes replaced by a coda, which is much longer and contains more details than the codetta.

(A timeline of sonata form)

The most representative composer in this period is probably Mozart.  His full name is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and born in 27th January 1756 in Salzburg, Austria.  In his 35 years' life, he has composed over 600 works, including symphonies, minuets, operas, concertos, piano solos and duets, string quartets etc. Some of his famous pieces are Variations of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (Piano Solo), Don Giovanni(opera), Turkish March(Piano Solo), Die Zauberflöte ( The Magic Flute, opera ), Cosi fan tutti ( Women are all like that, opera ).He and his sister who named Nannerl are prodigies in music.  They both played piano very well and always helped to earn money in several European journeys, but Mozart was always ill and have to be taken a good care.  In later years, he had studied the music composed by J.S.Bach and Joseph Haydn, thus being influenced in come of his famous pieces such as Die Zauberflöte ( The Magic Flute ) and the finale of Symphony No.41.  Mozart was ill ( probably fever ) and dead in 5th December, 1791.  His final piece "Requiem" was finished by Süssmayr, one of his juniors.

(The Magic Flute)

Let's listen to the famous Aria "Queen of Night" in the opera The Magic Flute! ENJOY! :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2ODfuMMyss

Music History - Baroque Period

Baroque music last for about 150 years, which is approximately between 1600 and 1750.  Before that, people were still having Renaissance music, such as music using modes, and some using monophonic texture.  Music in Baroque period became more polyphonic, and concept of orchestra was first introduced.  Major composers such as J. S. Bach, Handel and Pachelbel were also born in this period.

(A picture of J.S. Bach)

The major influence should be the instrumental music.  Basso continuo, which is also known as figured bass, was introduced in this period.  It was notations that gave bass part players to identify the chords they were playing.  It was also a distinct feature in the Baroque period.  Many instruments are also produced during this period, such as the violin family, flutes, bassoons, timpani and clavichords.  Different forms are also developed, such as fugal forms, variation forms, chorales, preludes, improvisatory forms and sonata form. Sonata form was the most important development, as classical period and romantic period also use sonata form as one the the major forms in the compositions.  Orchestra was also formed in this period.  There are two parts in the orchestra, which is solo part and tutti part. This is called concerto grosso, which is the main form of Baroque orchestra literature.  The major component in the orchestra was strings, while there are usually less woodwind and percussion players.  The bass players would be responsible for the basso continuo, and different instruments doubled on each part , thus there was not much color in the Baroque orchestras. 

(The orchestra in Baroque period)

    
















(Alto clef is used in this period)




Ornamentation and basso continuo would be the main characteristic styles of music.  As instrumental music started to get more popular in this period, the ornamentation was also getting more complicated and decorative.  Although they are rarely written out in the music, performers frequently added lots of ornaments to the music.  Shakes, turns, appoggiaturas and mordants are some of the most commonly used ornaments.  Chromatic scales and chords are also used to decorate the piece.  Basso continuo was the distinct feature on Baroque period, as stated before. Counterpoint is also used to harmonize the bass line and make the chord sounds more elegant.  Terraced dynamics are always used in Baroque music, unlike the gradual change, which can be found in Romantic period and 20th century period.  Some works used regular rhythms and strict tempo, while some works are allowed the performer to have rubato.  Cantatas and oratorios were also originated in this period, which is the foundation for the vocal music in later periods.  One of the most famous oratorio pieces would be "Messiah" form Handel.

(The numbers under the notes are figured bass)

One of the most famous pieces in this period would be Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi.  It is a series of four violin concertos, each with three movements. Also, they are the first program music written ever, which means that the music is connected to other ideas which is not musical.  For example, in the first movement of Spring, the trill at the beginning represents the birds are singing.  Sonnets are written to explain the idea expressed in the music, and here is the sonnet for the four seasons :

Spring – Concerto in E Major

Allegro
Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven,
Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.Largo
On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him.Allegro
Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes, nymphs and shepherds lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.


Summer – Concerto in g minor
Allegro non molto
Beneath the blazing sun's relentless heat
men and flocks are sweltering,
pines are scorched.
We hear the cuckoo's voice; then sweet songs of the turtle dove and finch are heard.
Soft breezes stir the air….but threatening north wind sweeps them suddenly aside. The shepherd trembles, fearful of violent storm and what may lie ahead.Adagio e piano - Presto e forte
His limbs are now awakened from their repose by fear of lightning's flash and thunder's roar, as gnats and flies buzz furiously around.
Presto
Alas, his worst fears were justified, as the heavens roar and great hailstones beat down upon the proudly standing corn.


Autumn – Concerto in F Major
Allegro
The peasant celebrates with song and dance the harvest safely gathered in.
The cup of Bacchus flows freely, and many find their relief in deep slumber.Adagio molto
The singing and the dancing die away
as cooling breezes fan the pleasant air,
inviting all to sleep
without a care.Allegro
The hunters emerge at dawn,
ready for the chase,
with horns and dogs and cries.
Their quarry flees while they give chase.
Terrified and wounded, the prey struggles on,
but, harried, dies.


Winter – Concerto in f-minor
Allegro non molto
Shivering, frozen mid the frosty snow in biting, stinging winds;
running to and fro to stamp one's icy feet, teeth chattering in the bitter chill.Largo
To rest contentedly beside the hearth, while those outside are drenched by pouring rain.Allegro
We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling.
Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up.
We feel the chill north winds coarse through the home despite the locked and bolted doors…
this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.

（Four Seasons)

Here is one the most famous pieces of J.S.Bach : Fugue in G, "The Little"  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Vm6_mn4ME

Music History - Middle Ages, Renaissance

In the Middle Ages, secular music started to become popular.  They are music that is not related to religious, and they express personal feelings.  Troubadours are the one who travelled around and sing secular music to earn money.
At this stage, homophonic music is started.  As troubadours usually play harp when they sing, the harp became the accompaniment.  This kind of "one melody and an accompaniment" is called homophony.

(They use lute as accompaniment)

The well-known Black Death was occurred in c. 1350 - 1450.  The plague was spread very quickly the reason of this was because of the flea from the animals that people live with.  People used to sleep with their pets as they are warm.  The fleas on the animals jumped to the people and make them sick.  As the medical knowledge at that time was not god enough to fight against this plague, three quarters of people in Europe were dead because of this plague.  After that, the Renaissance period finally came.


After the Black Death, the people remained were not controlled by the church anymore.  Learning was not the scarce thing to do by the priests anymore, anybody has the right to learn; Music, art and science was developed rapidly.  This is Renaissance period, which is "The Age of Enlightenment".


Instrumental music were also started in this period.  Small orchestra with ancient woodwind and string were beginning to form.  Composition techniques such as ostinato, false relation, suspension are being used in Renaissance music.

(Different kinds of instruments are being used in Renaissance period in the small orchestra)

Here is a link for Dowland's Flow my Tears :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td5Kxce75oM

Enjoy! :)

Music History - The Dark Ages

The music in the Dark Ages are all sacred music, which means that they are all church music for praising God.  They talk about God, but not personal feelings at all.  The notation used to write down the music is called Gregorian chants, which sometimes also called plain chants.

(Gregorian Chants is used in this period)

Pope Gregory I was the one who organised all the music written in to a book called "Liber Usualis",  which means usual book in English.  At that time, women cannot sing and compose any songs.  They can only go to church and listen to them.  Thus, almost all the composers are men and they do the singing as well.  Countertenors are men that trained for singing falsetto, so they can sing in a range higher than tenor and fit the songs in high pitch.


The texture of the music in the Dark Ages is monophonic, which means there is only one melody, with no accompaniment at all.  Antiphony is also used in church music, which means a singer sing out the text from bible, then the chorus response to the singer with the same text.  Melissma, which means a single syllable carry out for more than one tone, is used for holy words such as "God", "Mary" and "Jesus". For the other words, syllabic approach is usually used.


Let's listen to "Die Irae", which is the famous Latin Catholic hymn at that time :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlr90NLDp-0


Enjoy!! :)

Music History - Ancient Greek and Roman

Ancient Greek and Roman 
It is started at about 800 B.C..
People at that time wore toga.

(Portrait of Augustus wearing toga)






They also got lots of inventions!!


They got great architectures :

          

They got laws, democracy and republicanism :



Now, let's look at their music!


They have invented lyre, aluos(an ancient flute) at that time.

(lyre)

 (aulos)


The texture of the music is mainly polyphonic.
They are used in parties for entertainment.


Now, let's listen to one of the Greek music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xotPWR5I8RY


ENJOY! :)