details of pieces Flashcards
“Carmen” - characters
- Carmen - mezzo-soprano; free-spirited gypsy girl
- Don Jose - tenor; army corporal
- Escamillo - baritone; bullfighter (toreador)
- Micaela - soprano; Don Jose’s girlfriend
- Frasquita - soprano; Carmen’s friend
- Mercedes - mezzo-soprano; Carmen’s friend
“Carmen” - composer
Georges Bizet
“Carmen” - genre
lyric opera (French opera w/spoken dialogue)
“Carmen” - librettists
Ludovic Halevy & Henri Meilhac
“Carmen” - plot summary
centers around Carmen, a beautiful and seductive gypsy who works in a cigarette factory. She flirts with Don Jose, an army soldier, in the town square. Although betrothed to Micaela, his childhood sweetheart, he becomes obsessed with Carmen.
“Carmen” - premiere date
March 3, 1875
“Carmen” - setting
Seville, Spain and its surrounding hillsides in 1820s
“Carmen” - source of plot
novella by Prosper Mellarme
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 25, mvmt I - Bridge
modulates to new key: D major (V)
1st vlns outline G triad, followed by scale moving to D
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525 - composition date
1787
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525 - genre
serenade for strings (chamber music)
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525 - performing forces
double string quartet (w/double bass); often performed by a string orch
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - Codetta
all instruments play briefly in unison, ending w/ AC in D
repeat signs are usually observed in performance
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - Development
short
begins w/T1 in D
quickly moves to CM, then material from T2b
end quickly emphasizes V to prepare listener for return of T1 in I (tonic)
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - Exposition T1
[the one we all know]
in unison, outline I then V7 chords
homophonic texture; melodic line played by vln
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - form
sonata form
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - key
G major
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - meter
common time
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - Recapitulation
T1 returns exactly as in Expo
bridge unexpectedly cadences in D, as in Expo
T2 bring return of G
Coda grows out of Codetta, ending w/reference to T1
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - T2 group
contrasts w/T1
melody begins w/playful downward turn
features a triplet figure and piano dynamic level
toward end: melody built from repeated 8th-note figure that creates an insistent quality
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt I - tempo
allegro
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt II (Romanza) - key
C (subdominant of main)
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt II - Coda
grows out of Section A material
brings the mvmt to a gentle close
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt II - form
rondo form (ABACA)
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt II - meter
cut time
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt II - Section A
character is lyrical, understated, simple, elegant
unfolds over tonic pedal
balance is achieved through 4-meas phrases w/clear-cut cadences
internal structure of this section is rounded binary
returns after Section C
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt II - Section B
new melody introduced
becomes more active rhythmically
melodic line is embellished
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt II - Section C
new key: C minor
imitative dialogue between out parts (vln 1, col)
repeated 16th-note figure in inner voices; more active, creating restless character
then Section A returns
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt II - tempo
andante
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt III - form
ABA (ternary)
Minuet & Trio
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt III - key
G major
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt III - meter
3/4
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt III - Minuet
internal structure is rounded binary
phrases are typically 4 meas. long
forte dynamic, robust character
dance-like quality reinforced through rhythmic accentuation
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt III - tempo
allegretto
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt III - Trio
new key: D major (V of G)
contrast is achieved through lotto voce indication; more lyrical character, legato lines
more chromatic inflections than in the menuet
sotto voce (under the voice): a subdued gentle character, lowering the volume level as if to a whisper
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt IV - form
sonata-rondo form
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt IV - key
G major
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt IV - meter
cut time
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt IV - T1
spirited, light-hearted character
opens w/rocket theme outlining tonic arpeggio
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt IV - T2
begins w/downward turn of m6
stepwise motion
employee some chromatic embellishments
“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, K 525, mvmt IV - tempo
allegro
“Erlkonig” - characters
- Narrator - middle register
- Father - lower register, legato phrases = calm
- Son - higher register, suggesting youth and childlike innocence
- Erlking - middle register, insincere sweetness
“Erlkonig” - composition date
1815
“Erlkonig” - genre
lied
“Erlkonig” - key
G minor
“Erlkonig” - meter
common time
“Erlkonig” - performing forces
solo voice & piano
“Erlkonig” - song type/form
durchkomponiert
“Erlkonig” - source of text
poem by Goethe, inspired by German legend of the Erlking
“Erlkonig” - tempo
schnell
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - countersubject
2 countersubjects are presented simultaneously throughout
act as accompanying figures to the statements of the subject or answer
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - Final Section
concludes with tonal answer reaffirming the home key of BbM
the final 4 measures act as a coda, bringing the fugue to a strong close.
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - Fugal Exposition
Subject (unusually long) in B-flat in top voice
comprises two motives: first mostly disjunct outline the I-V7 harmony, while 2nd is conjunct, outlining same harmonies
Tonal Answer in middle voice (F; V)
Countersubject in top voice
Subject in B
CS1 in middle
CS2 in top
redundant answer of tonal answer in upper voice
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - meter
3/4
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - Middle Section
1st episode leads to Gm
subject appears in Gm followed by a tonal answer in Cm
2nd episode leads to EbM
partial entry of tonal answer is interrupted by complete entry
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - number of voices
3
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - tempo
moderately fast
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - texture
polyphonic
“Fugue in B flat Major”, BWV 866 - type of answer
tonal
“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle”
Carmen’a aria
AKA the “Habanera”
comingles childlike playfulness with sensuality; she believes that love is fickly, comes as unpredictably as it leaves
melody traces chromatic descent, which hints at Carmen’s sensuality
cellos maintain crisp ostinato rhythm characteristic of habanera
violins, violas suggest Spanish guitars w/pizzicato accomp
“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” - key
D minor; chorus shifts to D major
“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” - tempo
Allegretto quasi Andantino
“Messiah”, HWV 56 - genre
oratorio
“Messiah”, HWV 56 - language
English
“Messiah”, HWV 56 - librettist
Charles Jennens
“Messiah”, HWV 56 - performing forces
SATB soloists SATB chorus string orchestra with continuo oboes bassoons trumpets timpani
“Messiah”, HWV 56 - premiere date & circumstances
1742 - for a benefit concert in Dublin; composed the previous summer in just 24 days
“Messiah”, HWV 56 - source of text
biblical prose - OT & NT
“Messiah”, HWV 56 - structure
3 parts, each containing multiple movements:
Part 1: the prophesy of the coming of Christ and his birth
Part 2: Christ’s suffering, death, and the spread of his doctrine
Part 3: the redemption of the world through faith
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Glory to God” - key
DM
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Glory to God” - meter
common time
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Glory to God” - tempo
allegro
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Glory to God” - text
Glory to God, glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men.
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Glory to God” - word painting
“Glory to God in the highest” is set in the upper register
“And peace on earth” is depicted by a downward 8ve leap in Bass
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Hallelujah” - key
D major
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Hallelujah” - meter
common time
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Hallelujah” - tempo
allegro
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Hallelujah” - text
Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of kings, and Lord of lords, hallelujah!
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Hallelujah” - texture
alternation of homophonic, polyphonic
homorhythmic texture on opening “Hallelujah” delivers the text clearly, powerfully
imitative polyphony on “and He shall reign for ever and ever” expands the phrase and reinforces the repeated words
rising sequence (“King of kings”) builds toward climate
trumpets and drums heighten the overall mood (affect) of praise, joy
“Messiah”, HWV 56, Overture - form
||: A :|| B ||
“Messiah”, HWV 56, Overture - genre
French overture
“Messiah”, HWV 56, Overture - key
Em
“Messiah”, HWV 56, Overture - meter
common time
“Messiah”, HWV 56, Overture - original title
Sinfony
“Messiah”, HWV 56, Overture - Section A
tempo: grave
texture: homophonic
predominant rhythm: dotted figure
predominant affect: majestic, stately
“Messiah”, HWV 56, Overture - Section B
tempo: allegro moderato
texture: polyphonic (fugue)
number of voices: 3
subject introduced by: 1st vlns + oboes
type of answer: tonal
predominant affect: energetic, lively
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly” - form
ABA’ (ternary form in which the repeat of Section A is varied)
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly” - genre
soprano aria
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly” - key
Bb major
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly” - meter
common time
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly” - tempo
allegro
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly”, Section A - text
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice greatly, oh daughter of Zion. Rejoice greatly, shout, oh daughter of Jerusalem. Behold they King cometh unto thee…
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly”, Section A - word painting
“Rejoice greatly” has a joyful, celebratory character expressed through melismas
“Shout” is exclaimed with a burst of sound in the upper register
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly”, Section B - key
G minor
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “Rejoice Greatly”, Section B - text
He is the righteous Savior, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - key
CM
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - meter
common time
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 2 - key
F major
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 2 - meter
common time
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 2 - tempo
andante
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 2 - text
And lo! The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 2 - type
recitativo accompagnato
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 2 - word painting
16th-note repeated figure suggests the trembling of the fearful shepherds
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 3 - key
begins in DM
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 3 - meter
common time
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 3 - tempo
not indicated
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 3 - text
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 3 - type
recitativo secco
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 4 - key
begins in DM
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 4 - meter
common time
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 4 - tempo
not indicated
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 4 - text
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 4 - type
recitativo accompagnato
“Messiah”, HWV 56, “There Were Shepherds” - section 4 - word painting
dotted figures in the vocal line emphasize the suddenness of the angels’ arrival
fluttering 16th notes in the accompaniment suggest the movement of the angel’s wings