Concert Observation Essay

The first movement, Allegro ma non troppo, is very fiery and powerful. After an initial flourish of piano solo, the violin brings forth the main theme, a romantic, almost heroic melody. As the theme is developed fast passages create a sense of urgent drama. The middle movement is very unique because of its title Improvisation: Andante cantabile. The tranquil violin passages give the impression of improvisational material.

The final stretto consists of the treble, tenor and the bass echoing the subject at regular intervals. Though both the Prelude and the Fugue are typical of Bach’s style, its accessories overlap with the main motif, giving rise to a lighter, melodic tune. Sonata in A

I like the call and response that is played in the section of the music. The music flows well, especially in there the transitional sections when the tempo slows down. There is a resounding theme that is always referenced too. I love this piece by Haydn. The first time I heard it, it indeed gave me a surprise.

Similar to jazz, the soloist takes the primary focus of the piece except for the tutti segments. (8) Another example of improvisation can been seen in the beginning of the third movement. The flute and violin provide short melodic notions with the idea of imitation among the two

A review of a recording of the finale (4th movement) of Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 33 No. 2 The recording of the finale (4th movement) of Haydn’s String Quartet Op.33 No.2 that I have decided to review for you today is performed by the ‘Ariel Quartet’. This performance has a strong sense of togetherness and the performers give a sense of enjoyment through the performance. From research I have learned a lot about the background of this piece and about Haydn himself.

The length of this movement itself (691 measures) is as long as a whole symphony in the previous generation and it is what made this movement ‘heroic’. Beethoven treated the main melody in this movement like a character in a drama. Beethoven started an unusual trend in the exposition by letting the cello play the pastoral theme which outlines an E-flat major triad. The triple meter is another bizarre trait, yet when it’s combined with the tempo of this movement; it reminds the listener of Deutsche peasant dance. The primary theme (see fig.

Exceptionally melodic the primary theme of the movement start with an authoritative leap of an octave in the violins. This is then followed by a sing-song like eight-note figure that features a pointed forward momentum. The rhythmic building blocks of the theme is constructed in two bar phrases which then sequences upward by step (Example 1). The accompaniment to the theme is sustained half notes played by the second violins, Violas, and Cellos The home key and the harmonic content of the exposition is also very clear in its presentation. The opening of the movement is in A major and remains primarily diatonic in its harmonic content, with only the occasional passing tone.

The Tchaikovsky violin concerto is extremely popular and devilishly difficult to play thus carry the label as the pinnacle of the performance career. Tchaikovsky began his violin concerto in March 1878 and completed it on April 11.Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto was greatly affected by violinist Yosif Kotek during the compositional process. Kotek works with Tchaikovsky in the earlier stages of composition and there is also evidence to suggest that Kotek was the inspiration for the conception of the piece. It sprung in desperation but burst in fame. It is packed with Tchaikovsky’s typically exciting Russian tunes and explosive violin stunts.

In the A section, the accompaniment is in pianissimo and is meant to played etwas bewegt or somewhat with movement. Most of the harmonies in this section are diatonic and functional. The piece begins with a E major arpeggio in its first inversion, or a V6 chord. Most of the accompaniment in the A section consists of arpeggios in the right hand, with a chord in the left hand played on the first beat. This continues throughout the A section.

The melodies in The Magic Flute always linger on hours after I have listened to them. What is more, the conductor of the version I listened to, Riccardo Muti and the Wiener Philharmoniker excellently executed performance of this beautiful,masterful work. Lastly, The Magic Flute contains one of my favourite arias ever written because of how dramatic it is but more importantly how technically demanding it is and it is none other than the famous Queen of the Night aria (translated to English), ‘Hell’s Vengeance Boils In My Heart’ and specifically the version sung by Edita