Music Section 2 Flashcards
What is programmatic music?
instrumental music that conveys a sense of a specific storyline but without the use of lyrics
What are the first two pieces of music mentioned in Section II of the Music Guide that are classified as depicting generalized scenes? (Hint: They are both titled The Sea)
Claude Debussy’s French symphonic work La mer (“The Sea”) (1905) and Frank Bridge’s orchestral suite The Sea (1924)
Who paid tribute to the Amazon Rive (second longest) in his 1999 ballet score Aguas da Amazonia (“Waters of the Amazon”)?
Philip Grass
Who became the first Black woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra? What instrumental composition depicting the Mississippi River did she compose in 1934?
the woman was Florence Prince and she composed the Mississippi River Suite
What is the name of the composition by Alan Hovhaness (completed in 1982) that commemorated the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980?
Symphony No. 50: “Mount St. Helens (it was completed in the same year that Congress declared the region of the eruption as a national monument)
What are ways composers portray the world with their compositions?
They make musical compositions that sometimes illustrate Earth’s geographic features, while other works might address the weather conditions. Composers showcased variety of things that reside on Earth as well.
The National Park suggests the Mississippi River might be the most musical river. What are three compositions created about the Mississippi?
- Mississippi River Suite (1934) by Florence Price, 2. Mississippi Suite: A Journey in Tones (1926) Ferde Grofé, 3. Reflections on the Mississippi (2013) Michael Daugherty
What was the first orchestra work by a black composer (William Grant Still) to be preformed by a major American orchestra?
Afro-American Symphony (1931)
What are the 5 subsections in William Grant Still’s American Scene (1957) where he surveyed most of the United States?
(In order, note all of these have “Suite” and the number 1-5 in front.) “The East”, “The South,” “The Old West”, “The Far West”, “The Southwest: A Mountain, A Memorial, and a Song”
Compositions that illustrate Geographical features have many works that celebrate geographic landmarks (such as rivers, lakes, mountains). What are the two types of depictions that are generally made?
Generalized: meaning it the composer did NOT write about a specific place. Precise: meaning the composer had an exact location in mind
Many composers do this in their music that helps reflect nature, & not humans?
they make their songs with no lyrics
Many depictions of nature are generalized. meaning that they…?
do not depict any specific place/thing
Many of Earths greatest rivers hove had music made after them. what were the 3 listed in the passage?
Amazon, Yellow, & Mississippi rivers
Ferde Grofe has made many ‘suites’ depicting geographical landmarks in America. what were the 6 listed in the passage made between 1929-1961?
Yellowstone, Niagara Falls, Death Valley, Hudson River, Grand Canyon. as well as ‘Dawn at Lake Mead’
In What year did Grofe fist visit the canyon that made him popular?
1917
what Czech composer composed a song on the Vltava river
Bedřich Smetana
Who wrote the song yellow River canatat based of the Amazone river
Xian Xinghai
Who invoked the help of many chines composers to revised the old works of Xian Xinghai
Yin Chengzong
True or false. Over a thousand have addressed the Mississippi river
True
What two geographical features featuring water did Michael Daugherty compose songs on
This Mississippi, and Niagara falls
What time signature and Key is “Burro” motif from “On the Trail” (1929-31) Ferde Grofe?
6/8 Key of A
What Form is Grand Canyon Suite, “On The Trail” (1929-31) Ferde Grofe written in?
A-B-A-C-A Rondo form (rondo form is alternating contrasting themes, typically called “Episodes”)
What was the two main sources of inspiration for “Burro” motif from “On the trail” (1929-31) Ferde Grofe?
- five pile-drivers thumping along building operation in Chicago, the broken rhythm reminded him of metrical hoof-tap he heard a lot in Arizona. 2. The Melody was adapted from a 1926 popular song “Horses” by Bryon Gay and Richard Whiting.\
What as one of Frede Grofe’s main inspirations for “The Cowboy Song” motif in “On the trail” (1929-31)?
His infant son, he was sleeping under a tree in Chicago and he was rocking his child so sleep when the “lullaby” came to him
Frede Grofe’s first Section A for “On the Trail” threw in a surprise using coconut shells to create what kind of sound? Additionally, what do some orchestras use as substitute?
The Clip-clop sound of hooves; some orchestras substitute temple blocks
The Intro form of Grand Canyon Suite “On the Trail” (1929-31), Has 5 notable time frames, One of which being where violin introduces the rhythm of the “Burro” motif, with an accelerando. What note does this accelerando end with?
A very High “E”
During the Waterfall and music-box section, what tone of color does Frede Grofe call for that was uncommon in 1931?
Celesta: a Small keyboard-operated percussion instrument that produces a bell-like sound
What Modern Day theme has made the celesta’s sound better known?
“Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter Films
In “On the Trail” at the beginning, the harp ascends through an arpeggio, the members of the ensemble then sustain their pitches as what?
Fermata - a moment in a piece which the sense of moving forward motion stops briefly
What is a glissando?
a musical technique that involves sliding smoothly between notes instead of playing them individually
What part of “Horses” by Gay and Whiting, did Grofe use to adapt the melody for “Burro” motif?
The Chorus
What onomatopoeia was used throughout Grade Canyon Suite “On the Trail”?
hee-haw
What radio show used Grand Canyon Suite, “On the Trail” (1929-1931) composed by Ferde Grofe as its signature tune for twenty years?
the Philip Morris Radio Show
What era excelled in “stormy” aural depictions in music? (Option choices: Baroque era, Classic era, and the Romantic era)
the Romantic era which compromised most of the 19th century and it included the word of Ludwig van Beethoven (composer of Listening example #2)
As Baroque operas (theatrical works in which the performers sing their dialogue), what do the “Tempete” (“Tempest”) in Marin Marais’s 1706 opera Alcione and Act IV of Jean-Phillipe Rameau’s Hippolyte et Aricie (1733) have in common?
they both feature storm scenes
The Classical Era, which superseded the Baroque style and persisted into the 19th century, contributed additional “storms” (a common theme found in Baroque operas) especially in a new genre known as what? Define it as well.
symphony which is an orchestral genre compromised (customarily) of three or four contrasting movements
How did Beethoven differ from most composers in his time? (Hint: think in regards to employment)
he was one of the first composers to succeed in working “freelance” rather than as an employee of some patron. This allowed him to have free will for his artistic vision and compose what he wanted
True or False? Joseph Haydn, Beethoven’s colleague, did not have the free will to compose the music he wanted
True. Haydn was in service of, for most of his career, Esterhazys, a noble Hungarian family. Despite being a highly valued employee, Haydn was still a servant which meant he had to wear livery (household uniform) and obey commands as to what to write music about
What are the names of the five movements of Beethoven’s Sixth (“Pastoral”) Symphony?
1). Awakening of Cheerful Feelings on Arrival in the Countryside 2). Scene by the Brook 3). Merry Gathering of Country Folk 4). Thunderstorm 5). Shepherd’s Song. Cheerful and Thankful Feelings After the Storm
In what movement of Beethoven’s Sixth (“Pastoral”) Symphony– Listening Example #2– are bird calls imitated? What types of bird calls?
the bird calls of a nightingale, a quail, and a cuckoo are imitated in the second movement
In what movement of Beethoven’s Sixth (“Pastoral”) Symphony– Listening Example #2– is a programmatic storm presented?
the fourth movement which is titled “Thunderstorm”
How did Beethoven emphasize the sense of a storyline in his composition: Sixth (“Pastoral”) Symphony which is our Listening Example #2?
by having no breaks between the third, fourth, and fifth movements (this is in contrast to the brief “pauses” that normally occur between symphonic movements)
What did future generations characterize Beethoven’s distinctive [bombastic] opening motif as what because it was viewed as a metaphor for the heartbreaking onset of Beethoven’s deafness and his determination to fight onward as a composer? (Hint: This characterization did not come from Beethoven himself)
“Fate knocking at the door”
What is the musical technique tremolo?
a rapid repitition of a pitch or an oscillation between two pitches that creates a “trembling” effect
What usual combination of cultures is represented in Toru Takemitsu’s music?
Western and Asian
When was Tōru Takemitsu born and when did he die?
He was born in 1930 and he died in 1996.
What is a goal of sawari?
A goal of sawari is to reproduce the sounds of nature.
When did Toru Takemitsu secretly listen to a recording of a French popular song?
During World War II.
What did Toru Takemitsu do during his postwar work for the U.S Armed Forces?
He listened eagerly to the records his colleagues brought from America.
When was Kenzaburo Oe born and when did he die?
He was born in 1935 and died in 2023.
What is the Samanea saman commonly known as?
The “rain tree”
What short story did Kenzaburo Oe write about the “rain tree”?
“Atama no ii, Ame no ki” (“An Intelligent rain Tree”)
What collection won Kenzaburo Oe the Yomoiuri Literary Prize?
“Ante no ki o kiku on’natachi”
What does Ame no ki require the performers to play?
Keyboard percussion and crotales.
What percussion keyboard instruments does Ame no ki consist of?
Two marimbas and a vibraphone.
When was “Ante no ki o kiku on’natachi” published?
1982
What is a series of works that Takemitsu created while pursuing sawari?
“Waterscape”
What motif is used in the Waterscape series?
The S-E-A motif
What three pitches is the S-E-A motif composed of in Rain Tree?
Eb-E-A which involve a rising half step followed by an upward perfect fourth interval.
How is Eb interpreted differently in German then it is in English? (Rain Tree reading)
Unlike the English interpretation of Eb being E-flat, German speaking musician would interpret this pith as Es. The “s’ in this case stands for sanft meaning soft which indicates lowering the pitch.
T/F. During section B, the vibrophone makes its first entrance in Rain tree.
True
What is trying to be resemble when the crotales are being improvised during section B in Rain Fall?
The improvisation seeks to mimic rain droplets.
What type of pattern do the marimbas players A and B perform during section three in Rain Fall?
Call-and response pattern in which precisely measured music is performed, playing patterns that mimic each other.
What role does player C (vibraphone) have during section C in Rail Fall?
Player C join the ensemble in minute 3:59, playing syncopated chords on the vibraphone (motor off).
What visual element is employed during the performances (on stage) of Rain Tree?
The stage is dark and spot of light fall under the three player at varied times which add add a compelling theatrical enhancement to the piece.
When did Rain Tree made it’s Japanese debut?
5/31/1981
Describe section D of Rain Tree.
Player A and B improvise scattered rain drops behind the vibraphone solo; Player C starts with syncopated chords on the vibraphone and moves to busy arpeggios on crotales.
What 1985 famous film did Takemitsu wrote a film score for that expanded his international reputation?
He wrote the score for Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” a movie which is still regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.
How long is flight of the bumblebee
1 minute and 22 seconds
What 5 forms dose flight of the bumblebee go through
A intro, A, B, A’, A coda
What year did flight of a bumblebee premier
1900
What other famous song uses the name of the same animal as flight of the bumblebee made by François
L’Abeille (The Bee)
What song was used for the commercial LURPAK “Butter”, The Muppet show, and the 1948 bogie
flight of the bumblebee
What bird imitation is in Sumer is icumen in
A cuckoo.
What three types of birds are imitated during the song “Le chant des oyseaulx” (The songs of the birds)
Cuckoo, blackbird, and nightingale.
Who wrote the song “Le chant des oyseaulx” (The songs of the birds)
Clément Janequin
Who wrote “Quatuor pour la fin du Temps” (quarter end of times) and “Réveil des Oiseaux” (Awakening of the birds)
Olivier Messiaen
Where was the creator of “Quatuor pour la fin du Temps” (quarter end of times) when it was written and premiered
A WWII POW (prisoner of war) camp
How many bird imitations are there in “Réveil des Oiseaux” (Awakening of the birds)
Thirty-eight
What is the study of birds called
Ornithology
How did Ferde Grofe regarded himself as?
Ferde Grofé regarded himself as a “composer of Americana,” an achievement that was helped by his widespread exposure to the United States.
At what age did Ferde Grofe joined the Los Angeles Symphony?
He joined the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra as a violist at age seventeen, playing with that ensemble for a decade.
What Orchestra made Frede Grofe famous?
Grofé would likely be unknown today if he had not joined the Paul Whiteman Orchestra as an arranger in 1920.
What type of symphonic arrangement did Grofe created of Rhapsody in Blue?
He created the symphonic jazz arrangement of George Gershwin’s two-piano version of Rhapsody in Blue (1924).
Into what type of Disney film Grand Canyon Suite incorporated to?
Walt Disney adapted this score for a 1958 short film depicting numerous vistas of the canyon; this film won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Live Action).
What group did Yin Chengzong lead in 1969?
Yellow River Piano Concerto.
When was Yellow River Cantana made?
1939
What two things have addressed the Mississippi River many times?
Over a thousand songs and numerous instrumental pieces have addressed the Mississippi River.
When did the Mississippi Suite: A Journey In Tones premiere in New York?
1926
When was the Mississippi River Suite made?
1934
What is the significance of the Grand Canyon Suite in Ferde Grofé’s career?
It earned him lavish praise and contributed to his reputation as a “composer of Americana.
What year did the U.S. National Park Service take jurisdiction of the Grand Canyon as a national park?
1919
What was the title of the first orchestral composition by Joan Tower?
Sequoia (1981)
In which year did Grofé create his own Yellowstone Suite?
1960
What impact did Ferde Grofé’s early experiences in Arizona have on him?
They profoundly inspired his music, particularly his connection to the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon Suite is split up into how many “moments”?
Five
What is the most popular of the segments of the Grand Canyon Suite?
No. 3 On The Trail.
When was the Grand Canyon Suite released?
Nov. 22nd 1931
To help “the hee-haw business”, Grofe added a Violin What?
A violin Cadenza.
What does “Disjunct” & “Conjunct” Mean?
Disjunct: notes that are far away on a typical piano. Conjunct: The opposite, Notes that are really close.
The “Burro Motif” in the Grand Canyon Suite had 2 sources of inspiration. what were they?
Five Pile drivers thumping along in some building operation. & A song titled “Horses”
How long is “On The Trail”
5 Minutes & Ten Seconds
What is a Celesta?
“a small keyboard-operated percussion instrument that produces a bell-like sound”
