Johann Sebastian Bach

The Baroque period is commonly referred to as the period containing the oldest examples of music still played today. The most popular choral work to arise from this period was written by Hanel- one of the most prominent composers at the time. Regarded as the greatest classical work ever, Handel’s Messiah is one of the most performed pieces- both in part and in whole- by professionals and amateurs alike. Its popularity nearly 300 years after its creation demonstrates its music power. Despite the…

of the turning points in music. During the Baroque era the development of functional tonality, began which changed the way instruments were played and also, more longer and complex compositions. The Baroque era featured well-known composers who were Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. Many musical terms and concepts were brought to life which…

Giuseppe Fortunio Francescp Verdi was a Italian composer in the 19th century, he was known as one of the most influential composers in the 19th century. Giuseppe was born to Luigia Uttini and Carlo Giuseppe Verdi in Le Roncole Italy in the parm region of Italy. Since days were often considered to begin at sunset, this could have meant he was born on October 9th or 10th of 1813 accordingly to La Traviata Education Materials. One day after Giuseppe was brought until the world he was baptized in a…

The flute originates from Germany. No one knows specifically when in the prehistoric times but evidence has shown that a flute which was found in pieces was about to be 38,000 years old. Non like the violin it did not evolve from another instrument, it is said that many pieces of the flute were found in a cave in Germany called the Geißenklösterle Cave. Sound is produced from a flute by blowing onto a sharp edge, causing air enclosed in a tube to vibrate. The flute used to be an instrument made…

Seven Tunes Heard in China (在中国听到的七个曲调）, by Bright Sheng (盛宗亮,Shèng Zōngliàng), was commissioned for Yo Yo Ma (马友友) and was first performed on October 9, 1995. The piece is based on folk melodies and other songs collected by Bright Sheng from various regions of China. Many Chinese-American composers went through the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) but after, the conservatories reopened in 1977, and they were among the first to enroll and graduate. Many of them after pursued their doctoral degrees…

music such as Pachelbel’s Canon and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons to a misshapen pearl sounds ludicrous but bear with me. You will understand before I finish explaining. It got its terminology from the nineteenth century critics who view people such as Bach and Handel’s music as being overly ornamented and exaggerated. Though a very crude way of viewing such exquisite music it has long since shed its derogatory connotations, “baroque” is now simply a convenient catch-all for one of the richest and…

Wolfgang Mozart mixed with Ne-Yo. Bach blended with the soulful sounds of Adele and soothing cords and progressions of a violin. These are only a few of the characterizations I would use to describe violinist and performer Josh Vietti. Josh brings a distinctive approach to music combining tones of classical with a wide variety of styles from pop to gospel, hip hop jazz and country. He is a musician typically defined as a hip-hop violinist, but Josh Vietti is enormously more than that. He is an…

Similarities The Renaissance and Middle Ages was two completely different time periods, but they also had some things in common with the way they used music. For example, both time periods used music in church and sacred gatherings. The Middle Ages built spaces to be used just for musical performances (Middle). The rooms were large with acoustic qualities and were surrounded by stained glass windows depicting Biblical scenes. In the Renaissance, religion went through Counter-Reformation which…

EARLY VERDI In his early works, Verdi was known for using canons and fuges and also to have written vocal music, band music and chamber works. In his early opera he uses standard elements of Italian opera content of the period. Amongst the essential elements are the aria, the duet, the ensemble, and the finale sequence of an act. The aria format, involved three sections, a slow introduction, marked typically cantabile or adagio, known as the cavatina, a tempo di mezzo that might involve chorus…

Many a musicologist in the 20th century and before has attempted to document the effervescent and pronounced life of George Frideric Handel. Much of what these biographer's writings maintain concerning Handel's really life has had to be assumed and inferred due to lack of source material. nonetheless, there is enough available to craft some sort of clear narrative. Young Handel, though severely discouraged by his father from pursuing a life in music, could not be dissuaded. It seems to be…