This week, Jaycee and Nohely invite us to explore the rich sonic landscape of Romantic music.
During this week we were introduced to the Romantic period, a pivotal moment where rebellion against the status quo was idealized and encouraged. This was more of a movement toward thoughts and feeling, in which greatly affected how one perceived the world. Expression of emotions became popular and was sought after in works of poetry, art, music, etc. Romanticism inspired musicians to be original, innovative, and passionate. The integration of poetry, orchestra, and vocals, lead to the popularization of operas, and composers like Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner, and Carl Maria von Weber were well received and successful. Instruments like the piano became beloved by the people. This was most likely so, because of how one was able to finesse and play with its ability to create a range of tones, complicated yet pleasing, that were not common in those times.
One Romantic era piece of music that stuck out to us is the Faust Overture by Richard Wagner. Wagner was born in Leipzig, Germany. Wagner began writing musical compositions at the ripe age of 16. He went on to become one of the most influential composers in the World. Instead of writing short pieces of opera, Wagner’s operas were extremely lengthy. His piece, Faust Overture, was originally composed in 1839 –1840. Although this piece is not as lengthy as his other work, Robert Wagner intended it to be the first part an entire Faust Symphony based on the one of the most famous pieces of Romantic literature, Faust, by the German playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Faust is a scholar who becomes deeply depressed with his life. Eventually, Faust attempts to commit suicide but is unsuccessful. After that event, Faust calls on the Devil because he wants all the knowledge and magic powers the world has to offer. The devil makes a deal with the desperate young man. Faust will have his magic powers for a few of years, but in return the Devil will receive Faust's soul. The musical composition by Robert Wagner fits the Romanticised story perfectly. The dramatic and intense speed of the music works well to convey this sense of a regrettable decision, based on Faust's emotions, about to be made by Faust for the sake of power.
For this weeks blog post we will be asking all of you to join us in finding and sharing a link to a musical piece from the Romantic period. You will need to explain and analyze a piece of music that is Romantic. Here are some questions to help guide you:
Here is a source that provides some examples of Romantic composers and other basic information on the subject: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/romantic/
You may refer to the assigned Encyclopedia Britannica article for more information on the impact of Romantic ideas on music.
During this week we were introduced to the Romantic period, a pivotal moment where rebellion against the status quo was idealized and encouraged. This was more of a movement toward thoughts and feeling, in which greatly affected how one perceived the world. Expression of emotions became popular and was sought after in works of poetry, art, music, etc. Romanticism inspired musicians to be original, innovative, and passionate. The integration of poetry, orchestra, and vocals, lead to the popularization of operas, and composers like Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner, and Carl Maria von Weber were well received and successful. Instruments like the piano became beloved by the people. This was most likely so, because of how one was able to finesse and play with its ability to create a range of tones, complicated yet pleasing, that were not common in those times.
One Romantic era piece of music that stuck out to us is the Faust Overture by Richard Wagner. Wagner was born in Leipzig, Germany. Wagner began writing musical compositions at the ripe age of 16. He went on to become one of the most influential composers in the World. Instead of writing short pieces of opera, Wagner’s operas were extremely lengthy. His piece, Faust Overture, was originally composed in 1839 –1840. Although this piece is not as lengthy as his other work, Robert Wagner intended it to be the first part an entire Faust Symphony based on the one of the most famous pieces of Romantic literature, Faust, by the German playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Faust is a scholar who becomes deeply depressed with his life. Eventually, Faust attempts to commit suicide but is unsuccessful. After that event, Faust calls on the Devil because he wants all the knowledge and magic powers the world has to offer. The devil makes a deal with the desperate young man. Faust will have his magic powers for a few of years, but in return the Devil will receive Faust's soul. The musical composition by Robert Wagner fits the Romanticised story perfectly. The dramatic and intense speed of the music works well to convey this sense of a regrettable decision, based on Faust's emotions, about to be made by Faust for the sake of power.
For this weeks blog post we will be asking all of you to join us in finding and sharing a link to a musical piece from the Romantic period. You will need to explain and analyze a piece of music that is Romantic. Here are some questions to help guide you:
- Why does the piece qualify as "Romantic"?
- Do you like the music?
- Is there a story to this piece of music?
- How does it compare to the music you listen to?
- Is there narrative to the music now a days?
Here is a source that provides some examples of Romantic composers and other basic information on the subject: https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/romantic/
You may refer to the assigned Encyclopedia Britannica article for more information on the impact of Romantic ideas on music.
First of all, the musician in me would like to thank Jacey and Nohely for (once again) allowing us to analyze music! I am especially intrigued by that of the Romantic period.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite pieces of Romantic music is by Chopin, and it is called “Nocturne No. 20 in C# Minor”. Here is the link to a performance of it by a very skillful pianist named Li Yundi (and yes, I purposefully chose a video where you can see the actual score): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVV3SIvncD4.
I feel that this piece is a strong qualifier for the Romantic period. I say this, first of all, due to its dramatic variations in tempo. It has a very whimsical introduction, but then picks up to a steady pace once the main ‘melodic motive’ is introduced in measure 5. Then, the tempo increases and decreases rapidly during the ‘new’ section in measures 21-23 and the left hand ‘waltz’ beginning at measure 35. To me, these shifts in tempo serve to directly represent the great flux of emotions that we, as humans, can experience within as long as a year or as short as a couple of hours -- minutes, even. These tempo changes depict the buildup of extreme excitement or tension contrasted with the ‘release’ of feeling at ease, or, on the contrary, depressed. Speaking of depression...this song, as shown by its title, is written in a minor key; therefore, it does sound sad most of the time. However, this sadness does not last forever; at the very end of the piece, everything turns major and ‘happy’ again with Chopin’s use of a Picardy Third (something I absolutely adore in music). In addition, the wide range of notes used in this piece, particularly during the last few sequences in measures 58-61, adds to its drama. That 33-note grouping gets me every time, and it must be a bit challenging to execute well. On the contrary, this piece also uses intervals as small as major seconds, in measures 23 and 27. These smaller intervals create great dissonance and tension, akin to how we feel when we are stressed. Moreover, the main melodic motive I mentioned earlier, in addition to conveying melancholy, is very passionate and ‘operatic’ with its sophisticated trills and use of ‘swirling’ dynamics.
I love this piece. In addition to what I have already identified, I love it because it is one of those where I am able to just feel the music. The way Chopin wrote this, with all of intricacies, is brilliant in my eyes.
In regards to the deeper meaning behind this work, the word “nocturne” is French for “nocturnal”, therefore relating to nighttime. Upon attempting to engage in further research, I could not find much of an actual backstory other than the fact that Chopin originally wrote this in 1830 for his older sister Ludwika, but it did not actually get published until twenty-six years after his death (source: https://melaniespanswick.com/2013/10/15/a-few-thoughts-on-chopins-nocturne-no-20-in-c-sharp-minor-op-posth/). Like most Nocturnes, however, it is deeply rooted in the concepts of mystery, drama, and melancholy.
While strikingly different from that of the 18/1900s, I would say that some music nowadays still has narrative inspirations. On my way home from school today, actually, the song “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons played on the radio. As I sat and listened to the lyrics, I found that the lead singer (Dan Reynolds) is in fact telling a story. From doing further research, I gathered that one interpretation of its lyrics could revolve around the individual vs. government; specifically, the individual lashing out against it (“I’m breaking in and shaping up/Then checking out on the prison bus”) to restore freedom to him/herself and others in captivity, hence bringing them “to a new age”. Now, I recognize that this is only one interpretation of one song, but suffice it to say that recent pop music can have a deeper, narrative meaning to it.
Lizzy, I love the in depth look of your piece! I also agree that there is a lot to be interpreted from songs that are populated today, but there still is a lot of narration to be heard. I wonder why people don't seem to think that music made today doesn't have as much meaning as it used to?
DeleteThank you, Bryson! I agree that there are still stories told through songs today. Your question is a very interesting one. What jumped to my mind upon seeing it was this concept of a 'cultural shift', i.e. the notion that cultures of different times will place more emphasis on certain things than others. In music nowadays, topics like sex, relationships, and going to the club have, for the most part, become much more emphasized. In consequence, things that are 'more meaningful' have gotten 'pushed back'. Now, there is no doubt that these topics have existed long before our generation, but I would assert that the frequency in which they are (explicitly) presented has only gone up. The Top 100 billboard chart on YouTube is good evidence of this. So, I believe that the shift in our culture definitely has something to do with why people say that music has 'lost' its meaning. Honestly, I prefer music from the past over much of today's, though there are a few current songs I like.
DeleteLizzy, I definitely agree with you that music nowadays still does have a message. Of course this depends on the genre you are listening to. You talked about Imagine Dragons (good band) who I would categorize as having started more in the genre of alternative music, then slowly transitioning to modern pop music. In the genre of pop music, I believe that it is more likely to see the same messages popup over and over again: breakups, parties, and love. Likewise, rap tends to be like this as well, with the same overlying messages of drugs, sex, and money. This is not always the case, as I have found several pop artists such as Kehlani, Tove Lo, and Billie Elilish who have written songs about other subjects. I have also found several rap artists such as Tech N9ne, Rittz, and CES Cru, who do not typically follow the "norm" of their genre. Many of these artists I listed write about very serious topics. Tove Lo does talk about sex quite frequently, but is it moreso in the context of feminism and allowing women to be open with their bodies. Tech N9ne has even written songs about bullying, race induced violence, and fighting against those who put you down. Depending on what your preferences are I would recommending give some of them a listen.
DeleteJosh, that's a good point about Imagine Dragons; they did start off with a more alternative sound (with "Radioactive" especially) and have since become more 'pop'. Also, thank you for those suggestions! I am a fan of rap music, so I think Tech N9ne and Rittz would be good to look more into. I have heard Tove Lo's "Habits (Stay High)". Its lyrics are quite 'interesting', but they definitely carry more meaning than those of some of the other artists of this time.
DeleteGreat work Lizzy! You really gave a solid explanation for why this piece was in fact romantic. Similarly to everyone else, I agree with you on your evaluation on music nowadays. Some songs still do have meaning.
DeleteIm so glad you liked the theme! I love music as well, and really liked your interpretation of the piece you chose.
DeleteI really enjoy your analytical and technical approach to your blog post Lizzy. I think Chopin and the piece you chose is an exemplary example of Romantic music. This kind of music with the subtle but quick variations with grace notes and technical expertise. Chopin just has that quality in music that conveys such a serene and emotional atmosphere. Just as you described, I think his intelligent variety in tempo and volume help convey the tone of romanticism. As I mentioned in Ashlynne's blog post, I think certain instruments just help add to that quality of the period and the piano certainly has that quality that I think qualifies certain pieces as romantic. Thanks for you input Lizzy, it's always insightful.
DeleteIt’s time for my boy Tchaikovsky to shine. I absolutely adore Tchaikovsky’s work, it has inspired many other musical organizations to adapt his work and story telling into their own performances. Two of his greatest compositions being The Nutcracker and Swan Lake ballet. Surprisingly, although those two are one of the most well know ballets today, they were not taken to well when they first came out.
ReplyDeleteMy chosen piece is not from either ballet though, and as I am writing this I am listening to his 1812 Overture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phojQVYWLPY). This piece was one that granted him many fans from around the land when it came out. It was written to commemorate the Battle of Borodino, and it is an infamous piece today well known today as one of the few pieces to use cannons as an instrument. This piece qualifies as romantic because this piece is written as Tchaikovsky states, “without warmth or love”. This is a piece to commemorate a battle scene and displays it as such. It provokes the raw emotions, and those emotions from war can tend to be grotesque. This piece is very evidently a storytelling scene, and the animator in me is imaging a storyboard as I listen to it. The different movements within the piece seem to almost tell the listener each different turning point of a hero’s journey. At about 9:30 of this piece, it really starts to pick up as a battle scene having the drums that mimic the fires and bangs from around the battlefield, and near the end he brings back a common theme throughout the piece. I really enjoyed listening to this piece over and over as I wrote this, and especially picking up his own personal composer quirks. I love how he uses the oboe in the slower pieces (2:15 specifically), it is something that tells me that this is a Tchaikovsky piece.
I really love listening to soundtracks, so to me this is like some of the songs that I listen to. Obviously with soundtracks they must tell a narrative, but I also think that there are some bands that try hard to have a story within their songs. This narrative can be seen from different genres such as rap (Logic), metalcore (Crown the Empire), alternative/indie rock (Sleeping at Last) and Contemporary R&B (Jon Bellion). Those are just some that I listen to, I am sure that there is more out there. They know that their music is art, and they want to be able to tell a story with their pieces. What is interesting about now is that because there is so much development of music, each artist cannot put their piece on a pedestal and be able to explain them. It is required of the listener to do the research about each piece to find the meaning, if there is any. Sleeping at Last is a great example of this, as each of his albums has some sort of inspiration from the start. His current project is called Enneagram, where each song is based off the personality from the Enneagram test. I would recommend listening to him, each piece of his is so deliberate and intentional, it’s so much fun to look into each one and find what he has hidden inside.
First of all, let me just say that I'm glad you listen to Crown the Empire. I think they're an amazing example of metalcore. One thing in particular that I have noticed from the genre is that metalcore bands like to focus on the message of "don't give up when life gets hard". Many of the metalcore bands that have come to be mainsteam (Bring me the Horizon, Asking Alexandria, Crown the Empire, Of Mice and Men) all got very big with this same message. I definitely agree with you that they understand that their music is art. However, for some of these metalcore bands I listed I feel as if it definitely took time for them to get there! Most of them that I listed (especially Asking Alexandria) started out as your average metal bands. They did a lot of drugs, invited a lot women to their tour buses after shows, and made a lot of music about being rebellious and rowdy. I think that as these bands have gotten older (all of them have been around for 10+ years) they have begun to realize how far the influence of their music reaches, and have started to make more mature music because of it. I say this to touch on your point on the development of music. Metalcore as it is known today is completely different from the cringy, fry scream, scene metal that it was in the early 2000's.
DeleteBryson, that is absolutely crazy and creative. I had no clue that a cannon could be used as an instrument. You did a great job at explaining the narrative behind this particular piece. As for music nowadays, you gave many examples of artists who tell a story in their music to prove that there is still meaning found in music.
DeleteBryson, I agree with you about Tchaikovsky. He truly was an amazing composer. I did not know all the characteristics of his music such as his use of the oboe though. I like how you pointed out how he used the drums to mimic the sounds of the battle. I love how Tchaikovsky was so creative and was able to tell stories and convey deep emotions through his pieces. He strategically chose different instruments to imitate sounds, like you said, and to help guide narratives. Each of his pieces are truly masterfully crafted.
DeleteI was a dancer for 15 years and absolutely loved Tchaikovsky. I studied the most in ballet and had the opportunity to preform in the Nutcracker for 9 years, so I'm so glad you appreciate his work;)
DeleteBryson, I knew little to nothing about Tchaikovsky, thank you for enlightening me about his career. I feel as though many songs on the radio lack a narrative and do not allow the listener to truly engage the music. I find that wanting to research a song allows me to connect with it more intimately and appreciate the song so much more.
DeleteJaycee and Nohely, thank you both for this weeks blog prompt. I always enjoy getting to expand my taste in music.
ReplyDeleteFor this week's prompt I chose to focus on Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. Yes, I know I picked a composition that is extremely popular, but I did such because this piece screams Romanticism, so please bear with me!
The link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8J8urC_8Jw
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is actually a much larger ballet than the twenty minute suite that I linked above. I chose to focus on the smaller suite because it is much more well known, and in my opinion it is also the most interesting part of the whole composition.
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker illustrates the tale of a once popular family story called 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse-King". The story was originally told around Christmas time and it actually begins on Christmas Eve in the house of two young children, Clara and Fritz. The family waits patiently around the Christmas tree for their Uncle Drosselmeyer to arrive, who conveniently happens to be a toy maker. He arrives with gifts for the children, which end up coming to life. The story also includes dancing snowflakes, a handsome prince and fighting mice.
This composition qualifies as Romantic because of several of its' features. Firstly, the composition as a whole greatly opposes the formality of Classical models. Tchaikovsky seemed to have ditched more classical forms of music in order to show off the strange and surprising. Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is extremely whimsical in that it frequently changes tempo and volume, which creates a sense of excitement and emotion in his piece. This suite from the Nutcracker is also entirely based on instrumental music, which related back to a position of pre-eminence in Romanticism that valued the expression of emotions. Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker also showcases the Romantic quality of the love for the unusual and fabulous. The ways in which his piece is put together almost sounds like music you would expect to hear if a fairy or something else that is fanciful floated into the room.
With this being said, I do really enjoy the Nutcracker. To me, it sounds extremely uplifting and playful to the point where it is almost impossible to be sad while listening to it. The Nutcracker is also something that sounds very unique, it is easily identifiable, and it reminds me of Christmas. What's not to love?
Lastly, I think that the Nutcracker is hard to compare to the music that I listen to. I listen to many different genres of music, anywhere from radio friendly pop music, to trap dominated rap music, to Norwegian death metal. However, the composition of the Nutcracker is just very unique. A lot of music we listen to today is, dare I say "bland", in the fact that it really does not take much effort to create it. Almost anyone can create a pop, trap, or edm beat on their computers just by downloading a free software like GarageBand. Even very technical, hardcore metal bands, from my experience, rely on electronically triggered drum beats and pre-programed guitar rifts. This is something that in my opinion, often times makes today's music generic. The Nutcracker comes from a time before computerized music, and I think that this is something that can easily be noticed just by listening to it. You can tell that Tchaikovsky put a lot of time into creating his composition and because of such, he created a piece that is still valued today.
Today's music is getting blander by the minute, especially with rap and pop. When one thing makes a hit, producers flock to that idea and give us the same ice cream but with different topping. The Nutcracker is also one of my top favorite pieces, Tchaikovsky put so much time into it. The Nutcracker screams emotion and Christmas! I also really like how you described the sound! It's insane to think about having to go from playing really loud to playing the next note super soft.
DeleteJosh, you raise a very good point when you talk about how nowadays, anyone can get on GarageBand, for instance, and create a beat. I do it myself! I think the advent of technology definitely has something to do with the fact that today's music sounds more 'generic'. I feel that because there was not as much technology in, say, the '90s, music sounded much more 'organic'. What I mean by that is there was more reliance on real instruments than electronics. I would even say that electronics enhanced the music of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. Nowadays, however, it's like they have taken over; autotune is a big example. While its purpose is technically to enhance pitch, it is used extensively by pop artists nowadays and is a big contributor to 'generic' sound.
DeleteYasmine, let me just say that I love your ice cream/topping analogy! It is so accurate when talking about this concept.
No need to apologize! I love the nutcracker as well, so I was happy to read about it. You did a good job explaining the excitement and emotion within this piece. I can definitely see where you are coming from with popular music in the present day. There are some rare gems with actual meaning, but for the most part there is not really any substance.
DeleteI will have to agree that music today is not the same as it was. You will always need to at least have a ear for music to operate a drum pad, but learning how to use one compared to an actual instrument is just not the same!
DeleteAlthough, many believe that Beethoven was mainly a classical composer some of his symphony pieces fit into the romantic aspect. I like to think that he was both a classical and romantic composer. I choose Beethoven because in high school we would always sight read some of his work and one that I still have with me today is the Symphony No. 9 “Pastoral”. This was first performed in Theater an der Wien on 22 December 1808 in a four-hour concert. This link is a recent symphony playing it, so its only about 46 minutes. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75OMvblyD-Q) Also, this includes all the movements in Pastoral. Not just one. This was one of my favorites from him, mainly because my classmates made funny remarks during class when we looked at this. From what I remember from that class is that this whole piece written in reference to different vibes of different places. The first movement is called ‘Awakening of cheerful feelings on arriving the country’ and each movement had its own theme that seemed to be telling a story, if you wanted to throw some ballet or dance interpretation into it. One of Romanticism's key themes was the love of nature, which Beethoven was trying to interpret into this piece. It really does feel like you’re traveling to some mystical place. The overall feeling of the first movement is just filled with happiness. In comparison to what I listen to now, which is just a mixture of whatever ‘sounds’ good to me is this is really mellow. I’m into a lot of electric dance music and very light rap without cussing. I can multitask with this song, however not write code to it. Sadly. I don’t believe there is a narrative to this piece, unless I’m not looking hard enough but when I was in high school the only thing that my teacher read about this was it takes place in the wilderness. That’s the best narrative I can give. Just a side note though, when my class was sight reading we didn’t go at the full tempo. Trying to slur more than six notes with one bow while having to play with a loud bow was challenging. I'm a sucker for Beethoven.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right when you say Beethoven is both a classical and Romantic composer because people do not always fit into one category. You make a good point with the emphasis of nature that really makes this a Romantic piece. Keep up the good work.
DeleteYasmine, incorporating the story of how you came upon your chosen piece was interesting. Hearing how people developed almost a relationship with certain pieces is evidence to the power of the music. You talked about how you had to sight read it and now you analyzed it. Who knew you would come upon this piece in an assignment in the future? I also like how you said that it feels “like you’re travelling to some mystical place. This is characteristic of romanticism and I think part of what makes the music that came from it so great.
DeleteYasmine, thank you for including the link. I was able to understand your point of view much easier. I agree, music tends to be mellow and does not have a lot of thought music into it.
DeleteI have to admit, I am a bit biased to music from the romantic era as I danced ballet for most of my life. I absolutely love Tchaikovsky and the music he composed. The piece I am choosing to analyze is “Waltz of the Flowers” by Tchaikovsky. It qualifies as romantic because of its many different characteristics. The song is very innovative in the way it is composed with many different instruments and the way they flow together. It is also emotional throughout. As the instruments get louder or quieter, soft or powerful emotions are conveyed. I enjoyed this piece and many pieces from the romantic era. I love watching ballets and seeing the music and the dance connect. The emotion from both of these elements is a powerful experience. Although, listening to the music on its own is still a magical experience. When I listened to this piece on its own I felt as if I was being transported to another world.
ReplyDeleteThis piece has a story, as it comes from the ballet The Nutcracker. A character known as the Dew Drop Fairy dances on stage among other dancers that are flowers. She releases “magic” that causes the flowers to dance with her for the main characters Clara and the Nutcracker Prince. The piece guides the narrative as different parts of the song are emphasized such as when the fairy enters, as she releases her “magic”, and when they all join together in dance. In the beginning of the dance, the music is quiet to show an awakening of the flowers. The music all comes together in a harmonious way. I also admire how Tchaikovsky used, I believe it is a flute, to be a sort of guide through the piece. The dance would not make very much sense without the music behind it. It is amazing how the music and the dance are able to convey such emotion.
Compared to the music I listen to today it is quite different. I do sometimes listen to classical while studying, but it usually does not have narrative qualities like romantic pieces do. The music I listen to the rest of the time is usually of the pop genre and does not consist of many instruments you would hear in a Tchaikovsky piece. I think that some music today does have narrative. However, artists do not convey it in the same way. Rather than telling the story with only an instrument it is more common today to tell it with words.
If you’d like to see the magical combination of both the music and the dance here’s a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DiL3p98ejE
I'm glad you mentioned Tchaikovsky Ashlynne. He is probably my favorite composer and what you said about instruments really speaks to me. I think there can be something to be said about the quality that certain instruments convey. It seems that orchestral instruments generally have a more soulful quality that speaks to the audience much like a Poussin painting would. It is something grand and insightful that may not be conveyed with modern day music. Thanks for sharing, it's cool you did ballet!
DeleteI'm glad there is another ballet dancer! I too danced and trained in ballet for a lengthy amount of time and the waltz of the flowers was one of my favorite scenes to watch and dance! The whole ballet is a master piece and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteWhat a great narrative behind this musical Romantic piece. I am glad you pointed out that meaning is shown in music more with words rather than the instruments because I never really thought of it in that way before.
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ReplyDeleteI believe this piece can qualify as romantic, because of the strong emotion it produces. The romantic era favors emotion over rational thinking. Which is why I believe this piece fits perfectly into the romantic era.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy it, but if I were to compare it to Des Prez's Miserere Mei Deus from the Renaissance I do prefer Des Prez's.
I do believe there can be a story associated with the piece. like all songs we tend to create our own story to help connect with the song.
The music I listen to in comparison to Wagner's Faust Overture, is widely different in many ways. Although they are extremely different, I believe one similarity they share is the emotion they both provoke. Bands such as Alt-J infuse their music with such strong symbolism and melodies to evoke emotion.
With some songs of course there are, but with most of the songs I've heard on the radio lately many lack a strong narrative. A narrative helps the listener connect to the song and makes the song more meaningful and long lasting.
I am little confused on what piece you decided to go with. With music in general I agree that there needs to be a story behind a song to make that song more meaningful.
DeleteI went to a performing arts school and a huge part of the learning curriculum is related to classical and romantic music. So I am partial to this music on a day to day basis and the piece I chose to share with you all is, "Swan Lake," by Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky is one of those composers that I think best equates emotion and poetic narrative with his music. Swan Lake qualifies as romantic because for one, it exudes strong emotional content and favors a romantic irrational sequence. I also believe it fits in the Romanticism category because of the artist as well as the narrative following this composition.
ReplyDeleteAs I stated before, I grew up with this music and have become attached to this style. So I love this music and it's story and variance throughout the piece. The narrative of this piece follows the story of Prince Siegfried and a lovely swan princess named Odette and Odette finds herself under a spell that causes her to remain a swan on a lake of tears. A very emotionally driven and "romantic" story between a prince and a princess involving magic. This in itself shies away from the notion of rational thinking as magic is involved.
My music taste is very diverse and I find myself listening to all genres and forms of music. One thing I find different about the narrative objectives between music like Swan Lake and music now is the length in which to tell a story. Swan Lake is designed to encompass four acts to a ballet story whereas most music nowadays follows stories told in less than ten minutes, most of the time it is under six minutes.
I would say there is narrative in music currently, but I don't believe it is as rich or as in depth to back then. Of course there are some standouts, but the traditional formula for modern songs is to think of something temporary and to convey a story that holds no long term value. I think songs now follow a less in depth and less emotionally rich path than something like Swan Lake. The disparity is depressing, especially when there isn't a good balance between songs that are catchy, and songs that encapsulate deeper meaning.
I also forgot to add the music link" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7YZ9FQIO-8
Deleteand here's a quick summary of the story for Swan Lake just so you can get an idea:
https://www.thoughtco.com/swan-lake-acts-i-and-2-synopsis-723768
Im glad you chose Swan Lake, this is my second favorite ballet! I agree with you that it is romantic and has a great narrative to it. It is a very emotional performance, but the music too is so passionate and captivating.
DeleteYou make a very good point when you address the difference in time lengths for songs back then and now. Overall, great work with explaining why this piece is Romantic with the narrative behind Swan Lake.
DeleteAlthough I've heard of Swan Lake before, I've never actually listened to it. I listened to a good portion of it and it's very pleasing! I can definitely see your point about it favouring a romantic irrational sequence. However, I somewhat disagree with your comment on the narratives of modern day music. I think all narratives hold some amount of value and can be reflected on years later. Similar to the way we learned about the salon culture of the Rococo in class, I think there is long term value in the frivolous pleasures, activities, and overall culture of today's society.
DeleteI chose to listen to the song "Ride of the Valkyries" by Richard Wagner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce-Xok6SRPU). I chose this particular song because the title intrigued me. I was very surprised to learn, after the first few seconds of listening, that I recognized it! I've never studied music before so I was shocked to immediately hear something familiar to me. I have, however, studied film so relating the score to the movies I've heard it in was very interesting. It's played in "Apocalypse Now" (1979) during the bombings of Vietnamese villages. The song is completely different, and much more enjoyable, without the distraction of explosions and loud helicopters. It was also played in "Watchmen" (2009) referencing Apocalypse Now, when the crew destroys Viet-Cong soldiers. I find it very interesting how this song has been used by American film-makers to represent the Vietnam war.
ReplyDeleteHearing it for the first time separate from any visuals of destruction was a very pleasant experience. My previous encounters with the song made me think of absolute power, terror, and death. But all of that has changed. On it's own, I think of empowerment, confidence, and achieving something great. It's surprising how different the experience is when listening to the song separately!
I listen to many different genres of music, and oftentimes I drive to the soundtracks and scores from films I like. So this along with many other songs of the Romantic era are very similar to what I enjoy listening to.
Wagner's song definitely has a narrative to it, as it's the introduction to an act of his opera "The Ring of the Nibelungs". It is played as the Valkyries ride back from battle. I definitely think that current music has a narrative. I think the big difference is how that narrative is expressed. During the Romantic era it was shown with classical instruments, but the narratives in current, popular music are often in the form of lyrics. I don't see a problem with either method and I think both can be just as effective as the other.
I can definitely relate to you. We all know how songs sound but not necessarily the names of them. It was a "ohh I know this song" moment. Good interpretation of this piece Erica.
DeleteHi Erica, "The Ride of the Valkyries" is actually a really famous composed piece that is in multiple movies, as you have found. I like how you went into depth about how the movies affected how you felt about the music until you listened to it on your own. When you listen to music by itself, its like you get to build your own image, feelings, and narrative based on how you feel and react to the music. I also agree that music still holds elements of narrative, even in modern day. I enjoyed your post, thank you Erica!
DeleteThe song I chose for this week’s blog is “The 5th Symphony” by Ludwig van Beethoven. I chose this song because it was one that crossed the bridge between Classical to Romantic. Beethoven is the composer who really is the bridge for the two periods. The music composed during the Romantic era had many instruments in operas. This song had many too. To be specific, “The first three movements of Beethoven's Symphony no. 5 use two each of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, and trumpets; two timpani, tuned to the pitches C and G; and groups of violins (divided into first violins and second violins, which play different parts), violas, cellos, and double basses” (eNotes). Although the Romantic era for music is said to have started in 1850, the 5th Symphony was created between 1804 and 1808 and it is still considered part of the Romantic period because it was the bridge that crossed Classical with Romantic.
ReplyDeleteI don’t hate this song. It’s a very well-known song that it makes me feel nostalgic because I recognize it from a few childhood movies.
This song was being made during the time Beethoven was becoming deaf. The song was performed in Vienna on December 22, 1808. The concert was run for four hours under awful conditions. The concert was considered a failure because the musicians weren’t very skilled and because they were playing in the cold. Despite this, people still stayed and listened to it more times (StringOvation Team).
It is definitely not music I willingly listen to. I listen to lofi and pop music. This song, 5th Symphony, is more dramatic and has more instruments than what I’m particularly used to.
I definitely do believe music today has narrative. As I am typing this, I am listening to a song called “Lie to Me” by 5sos and there is a story there. Other songs such as “Sunlight” by Khai Dreams and “Take Me To Church” by Hozier, just to give quick examples, tell stories of experiences and thoughts the artists have.
Team, StringOvation. “Secrets Stories Behind the Greatest Classical Compositions: Beethoven's 5th Symphony.” Connolly Music Company, www.connollymusic.com/stringovation/secret-stories-behind-beethovens-5th-symphony.
"What instruments are used in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony?" eNotes, 28 May 2012, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-instruments-used-beethovens-fifth-symphony-341050. Accessed 2 Apr. 2019.
I appreciate your honesty because I would not willingly listen to older music such as this one as well. Nice work adding a little history of the concert in which the piece was preformed.
ReplyDeleteThe piece of music that I will be choosing to talk about is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" and how it is related to Romanticism in a larger light. Here is a link to the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxHkLdQy5f0. Tchaikovsky was a true master at expression and really connected his music with art and literature to tell a narrative through his works. The specific piece I will be analyzing is from the ending of the famous Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. This is a ballet that is filled with intense, emotional music that portrays feelings of cheer, sorrow, excitement, and misery which are all used in conjunction to tell the dramatic romance that is The Nutcracker. The Waltz of the Flower piece specifically holds connotations of glee and delight as it sounds elegant and light while also performing the waltz style throughout the work, which adds a swaying or striding tempo feeling. This piece ultimately seems like it is caught up in the emotion of everything in the story as it all ties together for a "happy ending" feeling.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I really enjoyed listening to this piece and I appreciate a lot of work form this period. I found myself listening to it on repeat as a I wrote because it was just satisfying and flowed. It made me feel happy and general and want to keep following as the parts feel like they are circulating, lifting up and down in a waltz-like motion. I also believe that this piece of music is a story, as most or all pieces of art or music tell a tale or provoke some emotion from the audience. This specific work sounds like a scene of accomplishment and triumph to be danced to.
Compared to the music I listen to, the Waltz of the Flower holds some similarities and differences altogether. While I do listen to some older masterpieces which are more similar, I do give my attention to a good majority of modern music or song. Some modern music tends to be too "up-beat" or "flashy" in people's opinions, or not hold any real deep meaning. In my opinion, most music has a narrative, sometimes it is just harder to find within some pieces than others. Some artists today produce rap music which is often ridiculed for not having narrative and just talking about "sex, money, and drugs". While most people do not see meaning or narrative in music sometimes, I believe the majority of music does hold a meaning and tell a story, whether it is noticed or not.
Kyle, I love Tchaikovsk's pieces as well! The nutcracker must me one of my favorites or 1812 overture and yes he really does have a way with music and how he wants to write it. I totally agree with your statement that all music has a meaning but some are just harder to find. I compared mine to modern music composers while you compared it to pop music I think. Personally I don't think I would be able to listen to anything other than classical pieces but from what I heard, the songs come from somewhere they don't just get written. It's harder for me to find the meaning to pop music since I really don't listen to it as often unless I actually find the lyrics. What do you think of modern day composers like Brian Balmages? Since we are playing many of his pieces.
DeleteI agree with you that, though sometimes its hard to see, all songs sort of have a narrative. In those few cases where they don't, it doesn't necessarily make the song bad or pointless, however those songs that do have meaning are the ones that stick with us forever. They represent memories because of their familiarity, brought fourth because of the relatable lyrics.
DeleteI love talking about music and analyzing! I chose to listen to Mahler: Symphony No 1 "The Titan" because my music professors always comment on his symphonies and say that they're great. From what I heard just about in the first 5 minutes out of 55 minutes of the symphony it sounds very quite and sectioned off. The whole orchestra never really plays together which again shows the individuality of the group and the song. In the beginning the sections, when they play, sound really bouncy and dainty. The Romanticism era focuses on emotion and nature and in a way Mahler is showing this in his symphony. Nature is always depicted, in music, dainty, light or sometimes joyful. When Mahler composed it, he intentionally made it so it sounded like it would have to be tongued a certain way, very short and bouncy. It can also be taken as lighthearted or playful. Further on, the whole orchestra joins in the sound doesn't start get harsher. If anything the sound starts to mature and sounds elegant. Unlike modern composers, Mahler uses more open chords like using Tonic, Dominant and rarely using minor chords. Now people like John Mackey love using diminished chords and getting a harsh harmonization so that it resolves better. I personally love modern because I love when the harmonization has tension because it resolves better and I get to play more interesting and more heavier parts. I still love older pieces as well because of how smart the composers were then and how they knew what chords to write to evoke a certain emotion which is crazy to me at least. There is definitely narrative to music now a day because a lot of pieces aren't just written just to write something. Three pieces I've played that I know mean something to me is "Endless Rainbows" by Brian Balmages, "October" by Eric Whiteacre, and "Wine-Dark sea" by John Mackey. These peoples all have some story to them but cannot replace the great pieces that came from before.
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DeleteYou made a good observation on the romantic sound! Like you said, it has a very joyful sound and is full of life. You could also say that, perhaps this new sound imitates either the soul of a child, or the beauty of nature.
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