Bass clarinet

in the strings are moving rapidly in an ascending pattern that creates the sense of turmoil. The use of the dynamic piano is compellingly used because it creates anticipation in the listener. Later the tension is resolved when the melody shifts to clarinet and everything else dies away and the melody sounds sweet and hopeful. The melody builds from there and ends with a very strong cadence. From there a very dissonant, dramatic melody starts up that paints the picture of being caught outside in…

The word Baroque originally meaning ‘oddly shaped pearl’ or ‘imperfect pearl’ came to be the period of dramatic, exaggerated and intense compositions. The contrast of dynamics continued to grow and a focus began on single melody and bass lines. This was called basso continuo. Opera also became popular during this time period including works such as Jacopo Peri’s Dafne and Claudio Monteverdi’s Orfeo. Although a little faded, opera is still used and well loved today like the hits by…

Madelyn Emmett MUS 100 30 April 2017 Gustav Mahler Gustav Mahler was born on July 7th, 1860 in Bohemia, then a part of the Austrian Empire (citation). As a German-speaking Jewish man, Mahler came from very humble beginnings in a world where his very identity made him an outsider. After migrating with his family to the booming town of Iglau as an infant, Mahler was first acquainted with music through street tunes and the town’s military band, inspiring him to first play the piano as a mere…

As a crime film, The Godfather contains numerous violent, sexual and profane scenes as its plot centers on the Corleone family and their criminal business. However, despite its genre, Nino Rota’s score for the film is generally calm, elegant and operatic. For instance, the main theme of the film is a waltz called the “Godfather Waltz,” which counterpoints the horrible images presented on the screen. As a mournful waltz with a melancholic vibe, the “Godfather Waltz” serves as a leitmotif for Don…

Swimming through the Notes I can remember the day in fifth grade band sitting at the long, gray percussion tables listening to our band director teach “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Staring off into space because I already knew how to play it for a few months, I could vaguely hear Mrs. Tripi’s voice telling the flutes to watch for A flats and reminding the trumpets that B flat is first valve. As I waited patiently for the rest of the band to finally pick up on the well-known melody, I sat…