Classicism: Orchestras, Symphonies, and Sonata Forms
Classicism
The Classical Orchestra and the Symphony
The period between 1750 and 1800 witnessed the consolidation of the symphony orchestra. The foundation of the classical symphony orchestra was the string section, comprising first and second violins, violas, cellos, and contrabasses.
Initially, horns had limitations, leading to the development of the bassoon to produce more notes. The bassoon was regularly used during the Classical era and later gained autonomy. The clarinet also saw significant development.
Read MoreA Concise Look at Historical Music Movements
Historical Music Movements
Musique Concrète
Musique Concrète uses sounds and noises recorded on tapes for further manipulation. Its inventor was Schaeffer, who considered this music to be based on sounds produced in the world by any object.
Electronic Music
Electronic music uses sounds produced by a synthesizer or other electronic devices. Composers include Berio and Stockhausen.
Serialism
Serialism applies the series of twelve tones typical of twelve-tone technique to all elements of the music, such
Read MoreLiterary Periods and Forms: From Mythology to Baroque
Comparative Analysis of Literary Elements
Comparative analysis: title, structure, genre, period, style, characters, conflicts, themes, references, symbols, resources, style, location, space, and time.
Nyx: Goddess of the Night
Nyx: In Greek mythology, Nyx was the primordial goddess of the night, also called Nicte. In Roman texts, the Greek name translates as Nox.
Greek Mythology
Greek mythology is the set of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks who sought to understand their gods and heroes,
Read MoreUnderstanding the Human Voice: Types and Techniques
The Human Voice
The voice is the sound that occurs when air returning from the lungs passes through the larynx. Following the brain’s instructions, this air causes the vocal cords to vibrate.
The Vocal Cords
These are two folds of muscle within the larynx that define the glottis. They contract and vibrate when air passes from the lungs, producing sound.
Natural Voice
A natural voice is untrained and does not use vibrato.
Impostata Voice
An impostata voice is crafted to achieve a homogeneous, full, and
Read MoreLedger Lines, Polyphony, and Medieval Music
Ledger Lines
A ledger line, or leger line, is used in Western musical notation to notate pitches above or below the lines and spaces of the regular musical staff. A line slightly longer than the note head is drawn parallel to the staff, above or below, spaced at the same distance as the lines within the staff.
Origins of Polyphony
In the ninth century, music theorists in the Church experimented with the idea of singing two melodic lines simultaneously at parallel intervals, usually at the fourth, fifth,
Read MoreBaroque Music: Forms, Composers, and Evolution
Baroque Music
1600
Musical Forms
Overtures: Introductory pieces. There are two main types:
- French Overture (3 sections)
- Neapolitan Overture (by Alexander Scarlatti): Slow-Fast-Slow
Suite: A combination of dances originating in the Renaissance. It typically includes:
- Allemande (moderate speed)
- Sarabande (slower and more solemn)
- Courante (faster)
- Gigue (fast)
These dances have different rhythms, origins, and characteristics. A Minuet could also be added.
Notable examples are the four suites by Johann Sebastian
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