MUSC 1013 Lecture, Study Guide 5 1) Hector Berlioz (1803–1869)

MUSC 1013 Lecture, Study Guide 5

1) Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) • Born in southern France, first great proponent of musical Romanticism in France, He combined musical creativity with personal storytelling • Fan of Beethoven and Shakespeare • Works draw upon literary influences • Genius orchestrator--

Berlioz and the Symphonie fantastique • Program symphony based on personal life; • Idée fixe a recurring musical thread unifying the five movements; Thematic transformation

2) Edvard Grieg (1843–1907) • Born in Norway, attended Leipzig Conservatory (Germany) • Stipend from Norwegian government allowed him to focus on composition • Goal was to create art accessible to all the public • International figure, notable for lyricism and use of folk music and dances Compositions: Peer Gynt, Suite no. 1 • Morning Mood, --atmospheric depiction of sunrise In the Hall of the Mountain King, grotesque ballet music as troll daughters chase Peer; Play by Henrik Ibsen based on moralistic Norwegian folk tale • Grieg composed twenty-two pieces as incidental music for the play • Later extracted eight of them, created two four movement suites • 1 One Piano Concerto

3) Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) • Born in northern Italy • Operas for Milan’s La Scala opera house • Identified with Italian independence movement • Twenty-eight operas in all, written throughout his lifetime— two of most famous operas are Aida, Rigoletto, • Hit songs from operas saturated the culture; Commercially successful multimedia arose in the 1800s Italian theatrical tradition Verdi’s music adopted by supporters of Italian independence – Appealing melodies, intense dramatic situations; – National soundtrack for the new Italian spirit

4) Richard Wagner (1813–1883) • Born in Leipzig, Germany • At age twenty-three began writing operas – Wrote all librettos himself • Trio of works on German epics – The Flying Dutchman, Tannhaüser, Lohengrin • Developed theory of music drama—example: The Ring of the Nibelung –it is a Four-opera epic cycle “Endless melody”; Gesamtkunstwerk (“total artwork”) • Unity through leitmotifs, a lot of Chromatic harmony.

5) ROOTS of JAZZ • Jazz is neither exclusively European nor African. It is an American art form. It is mainly the creation of African-Americans whose roots and beginnings were in Africa. Comparison of Jazz to Classical Elements Classical Jazz • Sound Standard Personal • Pitch Fixed Flexible • Modes Major/minor Blues • Social Concert Hall Night Clubs What is art? What is entertainment? – Definition: • Entertainment - something that amuses, pleases, or diverts. • Art - the conscious production of human creativity; sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements found in a manner that affects the senses.

6) a) Scott Joplin (1868–1917) The “King of Ragtime” • Maple Leaf Rag sold a million copies • Strove to elevate ragtime to a serious art form • Balanced phrasing and key structures with highly syncopated melodies • The Entertainer b) Robert Johnson Hell Hound on My Trail • Example of early Delta Blues; c) Bessie Smith Lost Your Head Blues d) Sidney Bechet Blue Horizon; Nota Bene! – the unique clarinet sound • Extensive use of vibrato, also played the soprano saxophone

7) Louis Armstrong –unique trumpet sound • January 1, 1913, sent to Colored Waif’s Home for disturbing the peace. (18 months)—change of his life. • The nickname “Satchmo” – was short for satchel mouth. • He replaced older musicians as they left for the north. Recordings of Hot 5 and Hot 7 most influential; Compositions/performances-- Struttin’ with Some Barbecue, Hello Dolly, Wonderful World, Hotter than That--Good example of “scat” singing.

8) Duke Ellington—pianist, composer, arranger, conductor • Louis Toodle O--recorded 1927 – Example of repertoire from the Cotton Club East St. Continuation of excellence, Expansion of forms, and compositions. Many believe his best works are from the 1930s and 40s. More sacred concerts. Suites – Such Sweet Thunder, Suite Thursday, Nutcracker Suite, Black Brown and Beige Suite

9,10)Listening examples:

Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyM2AnA96yE

Duke Ellington-- East St. Louis Toodle-Oo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6LmSj26RRc