Songs being analyzed: Theme song from Star Wars by John Williams and “Hoedown” from Rodeo by Aaron Copland
Assignment: Write a
Musical Analysis paper making intelligent observations about the pieces – discuss their
cultural context, musical intention, musical devices you observe (form, textures, dynamics,
etc), etc. You may also compare/contrast the works if you find a reason to. Choose two pieces
of music that stood out to you, either because you liked them, or feel you have something to
say about them, or could perhaps draw some compare/contrasts between them. The intention of
your writing should be to use as much musical vocabulary as you can in describing specific
musical moments or events. Ideally, you will choose two pieces that appealed to you, and
additionally, describe any connections you felt with the music. The best papers will point out
musical facts using appropriate terminology, and then draw a connection or hypothesis as to
the emotional meaning of those musical gestures.
Questions to cover in the essay:
Composer
• Title & when was this piece composed?
• Who were the performers?
• Venue & Date
• Does the piece have a story, meaning, or particular raison d’etre?
• What media? (Solo, ensemble, instrumental, vocal?)
• What kinds of singers were involved, if any?
• Was the music fast or slow (tempo)?
• Were the dynamics steady or changing?
• What was the dynamic range?
• Were there any solos? Long or short?
• Any featured instruments or groups?
• Any melodies, themes, or sections that were repeated?
• Relative consonance or dissonance?
• most prominent thing about the piece?
• Your reaction to the piece?
An additional brief story to cover:
Context – history, analysis, etc.:
• Musical styles. How did the composition correspond to what you have learned
about the stylistic period in which it was composed–baroque, classical, etc.?
Your appreciation of a work is often enhanced when you recognize its musical
style. If it’s a style period we haven’t discussed yet, do a little research!
• Musical genres and forms. What was the genre of the piece–symphony,
concerto, tone poem, string quartet, étude, etc.? What musical forms were
employed–theme and variations, sonata form, ABA, etc.? If you are reporting
on an opera, you might note arias, recitatives, ensembles, choruses, etc.
• Program music. Was the composition program music–that is, was it inspired by a text, story, or place? If so, how did the music reflect the program?
• Emotions, images, and ideas. Did the composition evoke in you specific
feelings or thoughts? For an opera, you should describe how the music
depicted mood, character, and dramatic action.
• Memorable features. What features of the piece were most memorable–for
example, did you tend to remember slower, lyrical sections; or triumphant
parts; or fast, exciting parts? Were there any striking melodies and rhythms?
Were there any unusual vocal, instrumental, or electronic effects?
• Musical themes. Were there several contrasting sections or themes within the movement? Did you recognize variations of particular themes or
reappearances of musical ideas in different sections or movements?
• Comparisons with other works. It is often illuminating to compare a workwith
other works on the program, or with other works you have studied, noting
similarities and differences.
Performance Your discussion of performance
Performance Your discussion of performance will be of a more subjective nature. You may
want to focus on the following points:
• Emotional projection. Did you think that the soloists or group succeeded in
projecting the emotional meaning of the work?
• Dynamics. Did the dynamics seem to have enough variety and flexibility?Did
anything seem too loud or too soft?
• Tempos. What tempos were used? Did you think the tempos sounded right, or
did some parts seem too slow or too fast? Could you identify any times when
the performers intensified their expression of the music by using rubato–a
slight holding back or pressing forward of tempo?
• Melodies. Did you think that the melodic lines were projected with a feeling of
forward motion, lyricism, continuity, and climax? Did there seem to be a good
balance between main melodic lines and accompaniment?
• Vocal and instrumental performances. Did the singers seem to have
outstanding voices? Did the instrumentalists seem to be producing beautiful
sounds? Did the performers’ body motions add to or detract from the musical
effect?
• The parts and the whole. Did you enjoy the give-and-take among various
instrumental families (in an orchestra), voice parts (in a chorus), or soloists (in
chamber group)? In a concerto, did the soloist and orchestra seem well
coordinated?
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