Silly Symphonies

Messiaen choses to experiment with a wide range of dynamics through out the entire fourth movement. Furthermore, he indicates drastic changes of those dynamics that happen in a short period of time, which presents the audience with an element of surprise. Additionally, the Interlude is the shortest movement in the entire composition, which is 73 measures long and lasts for about two minutes (considering the entire Quartet for the End of Time is about 50 minutes long). Therefore, a rapid change…

The understated work of Haydn’s 95th Symphony displays a variety of uncommon techniques and symphonic devices that create a dramatic yet lyrical work of music. The work is the third of Haydn’s 12 London Symphonies and diverts from common characteristics of Haydn’s works most notably it being the only minor tonality among the London Symphonies. The first movement (of which will be explored in this essay) creates a unique stance among Haydn’s other symphonies, in that the work omits a slow…

Joseph Haydn was one of the composers from the eighteenth century whom worked mainly for courts, churches, teaching, performing and composing on commission or publication for a living. Haydn was known as the “Father of Symphony” for wide publication of his symphonies. Symphonies, instrumental sonatas and string quartets are the most well known works, which made him a prolific composer in the classical period. Haydn was born in Rohrau and started to learn music in singing, playing the harpsichord…

A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often written by composers for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning common today: a work usually consisting of multiple distinct sections or movements, often four, with the first movement in sonata form. Symphonies are scored for string (violin, viola, cello and double bass), brass, woodwind, and…

Have you ever wondered what famous musicians thought? Ludwig Van Beethoven once said, “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion in inexcusable.” Beethoven was a famous composer in classical music and believed in this quote very much. I believe this quote is about passion and not worrying if you will succeed or not. I agree with Beethoven, because I too believe that passion is important. I believe this quote means that it doesn’t matter if you fail at something, because you…

YouTube, which was titled “The Berlin Celebration Concert – Beethoven, Symphony No 9, Bernstein 1989.” This concert, which recreated Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, was performed on December 25th, 1989 by an international cast of musicians and vocalist coming from groups around the world, such as: Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Members of the Staatskapelle Dresden, Members of the Kirov Orchestra, Leningrad, London Symphony Orchestra, Members of the New York Philharmonic and Members of…

While cheerful and bright melodies are used to represent Mozart’s early years in his short lives, the prelude of the opera “Don Giovanni” composed by Mozart after the death of Leopold Mozart – Mozart’s father – indicates the relationship between Mozart and Leopold and shows the process how Salieri set his scheme foreshadowing the death of Mozart. First of all, the opera “Don Giovanni” suggests the abnormal relationship between Mozart and his father. In the film, Mozart is illustrated as a…

The Madison Symphony Orchestra is an exquisite ensemble with over 100 talented musicians. On April 2, 2016, John DeMain conducted a wonderful orchestra performance. It was held in Overture Hall at the Overture Center in Madison, WI. Garrick Ohlsson was the piano soloist that night in a Johannes Brahms piece after the intermission. The conductor came onto the stage before the show to give a brief explanation of the concert for the night and why he chose the musical selections he did, and I found…

Lillie Moseley MUS101 September 23, 2016 Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most influential composers of history. He has inspired many musical pieces even since his death and continues to do so. One of the most important feats he accomplished was to continue to compose music even through difficult setbacks. The exact day of Beethoven’s birth is not known. However, in the customs of his time a baby was baptized the day after its birth. There are formal records showing he was baptized on…

The nineteenth century was a very important time for music, an age often defined by two composers - Ludwig van Beethoven and Gioachino Rossini. These two composers represented and were key to the development of that era’s musical powerhouses, German instrumental music and Italian opera respectively. Despite the composers’ similar importance to their respective genres, Beethoven and Rossini are often viewed as polar opposites with Beethoven reigning as superior; however, the veracity and…