BMus 1 Analysis: Week 9 1 BMus 1 Analysis Week 9

Project 2

Just to remind you: the second project for this module is an essay (c. 1500 words) on one short post-tonal work from the list below. All of the works can be found in the library; if they’re not available for any reason, ask me for a copy. (Most can be found online as well.)

Béla Bartók, 44 Duos for Violin, no. 33: ‘Erntelied’ (‘Harvest Song’)

Harrison Birtwistle, Duets for Storab, any two movements

Ruth Crawford-Seeger, String Quartet, movt. 2: ‘Leggiero’ or movt. 3: ‘Andante’

György Kurtag, Játékok Book 6, ‘In memoriam András Mihály’

Elisabeth Lutyens, Présages op. 53, theme and variations 1-2.

Olivier Messiaen, Préludes, no. 1: ’La Colombe’

Kaija Saariaho, Sept Papillons, movements 1 and 2

Arnold Schoenberg, 6 Little Piano Pieces, Op.19: No. 2 (Langsam)

Igor Stravinsky, 3 pieces for String Quartet, no. 1

Anton Webern, Variations op 27: no. 2

What to cover

You may format your essay as you wish, according to what best suits the piece you’ve selected. However, you should aim to comment on the following (interrelated) features of your chosen work:

• Formal Design o How is this articulated? This may involve pitch / tempo / changes of texture / dynamics / phrasing and other musical features.

• Pitch Structure o Use of interval / mode(s) / pitch sets / 12-note chords and other techniques

• Nature and Handling of Melodic and Harmonic Materials o How is the material constructed, treated, developed and/or elaboration in the work? Do not forget the importance of rhythm as well as pitch.

I advise you not to divide your essay up into subheadings so that these features can be discussed alongside one another: they are often interdependent!

Bela Bartòk, Mikrokosmos , vol. III: 'Two Major Pentachords'