His personality was one that any people strive to have. He treated everyone fairly and went with what was right, even if it wasn’t the popular opinion. He stood
The Enlightenment was a train of thinking that started with philosophers in the eighteenth century. Philosophers warned against religious division, cultural division, and social inequality. Today, our Declaration of Independence is based upon these same values of equality. In the Enlightenment, music took a different shape. Music was no longer only for wealthy merchants, but was now open to the public. Composers noticed the opportunity and wrote music that would appeal to wider audiences including people of lower status. A pop star of his time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the most inspirational figures of the Enlightenment era. Mozart wrote music that spoke to the masses and empowered the individual.
Ludwig van Beethoven was a famous composer of the eighteenth-century classical music and the nineteenth-century romanticism style of music. Beethoven is still remembered for his spectacular pieces in modern times. Beethoven’s music led others to take the art of music as a serious topic. His symphonies and sonatas were revolutionary to the music world, because of this, many people today are not aware of his deafness. His deafness eventually caused him to make sacrifices in his music career.
Felix Mendelssohn; pianist, composer, conductor. Mendelsohn was a man of many talents that graced the world with his artistic genius. Many compare him akin to Mozart and Beethoven, and though his life was short lived, he made the most of what he had.
Harmony - Similar to Baroque harmony with some changes. The continuo part and filling in of chords from figured bass were left behind. The second modification was changing chords less frequently. Some Classical composers would keep the same chord for a measure or two before making the change. Sometimes the change would occur several times over a short span. Classical harmony is a backdrop for melodies and does not draw attention to itself. It stays
Edith Borroff was born in New York City, on August 2, 1925. Her father and mother both musicians and very popular at that, were Marie Bergerson and Ramon Borroff. Her parents were very accomplished pianist. Her mother graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors and also a Masters. She then went on to receive her Ph.D from Yale University. Her mother was the first woman to ever teach in the English Department of Yale. Her father was not very much spoken of. Of course since her parents were musicians, it was only natural that Edith start her career with music at infancy. The music within Borroff definitely came naturally, she was even writing her own pieces of music at the age of six. This skill and dedication for many doesn’t
The Baroque period was identified as the “Age of Absolutism” because it was a period where rulers practiced their full power to control subjects. Also during the Baroque time frame music became more leant about where it was played. Instead it only being played at churches and occasionally in some courts, it was being played at specific functions and operas. It was at this time that operas were established for the first time in history. Musicians at this time were employed for aristocrat’s courts, churches and operas although they were considered high positions yet still viewed as servants. Some characteristics of Baroque music focused on the unity of mood, rhythm, dynamics and melodies. As for texture it consisted of being polyphonic with an emphasis on the highest and lowest melodies. Also the importance of bass and soprano and imitation were present. Word painting and symbolism kept making an appearance too. Chords and basso continuo were key elements to this period. A basso continuo is an accompaniment made up of bass parts usually played by two instruments. It was here that baroque orchestras started to gather which contained about ten to forty musicians. Through
Franz Joseph Hadyn’s musical talent started at an early age, paving ways to future success. On March 31, 1732, he was born in a small village in Rohrau, Austria. At a young age, Haydn’s susceptibility to music proved to be significant, as this genesis later painted the life of the talented composer. Today, he is often referred to as the “Father of the Symphony” and the “Father of the String Quartet.”
First of all, the Mozart’s music in Amadeus is used to illustrate vividly the overall life of Mozart and the situation in which Mozart’s was in when he composed his music. The film Amadeus is based on the play of the same title written by Peter Shaffer which is created depending on the rumor floating around Vienna in the 1820s that Salieri poisoned Mozart. Even though it is clearly revealed that the rumor saying Mozart’s death is deeply related to Salieri is not true by several historical researches, still, the movie Amadeus depicts the fictional life of Mozart in a realistic way with appealing and enthrallment that the plot has. In addition to the narrative’s high level of immersion, the works of Mozart, which are properly placed with the
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
Eric Whitacre is a current American composer who despite his youth, has experienced much success. The Los Angeles Times describes his works as having “Electric, chilling harmonies; works of unearthly beauty, and imagination.”(Hyperion) Whitacre is the founder of Virtual Choir and has composed for many different performance groups such as the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, The Tallis Scholars, The King Singers and the Minnesota Orchestra. (Eric Whitacre) In his short career, Whitacre has achieved many prestigious awards and has established himself as one of the greatest composers of modern day.
This leading text in the late 18th Century provided definitions of words like genius and taste. “Another text influenced by the Enlightenment values was Charles Burney’s A General History of music: form the earliest age to the present period (1776), which was a historical survey and an attempt to rationalize elements in music systematically over time.” (Beard and Gloag, 60). Rose Rosen Gard Subatnik’s views Mozart’s Die Zauberflote as “an ideal musical representation of the Enlightenment.” (Beard, 60) After the Enlightenment women became more involved with music on social levels. This manifestation allowed more women presence in the amateur performers
Mozart's Requiem was first introduced to the public by a performance of it in Vienna, soon after the composer's death, which happened on December 5, 1791. The hall it was performed in was crowded, showing it attracted great attention. Mozart had taken on some work received by the hands of
The Italian opera Don Giovanni is into two acts. It is about a character known better as Don Juan. The music piece was written by none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The libretto was written by Lorenzo da Ponte. Don Giovanni was first performed at the National Theatre in Prague
Leonard Bernstein was born August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts to Samuel and Jennie Bernstein. Leonard at the age of eight Leonard’s aunt Clara introduced him to the piano, which would transform him from a frail boy to one of the most influential in music. Bernstein had found his first true love, the piano. He would sit at his window as a child and pretend to play for hours, until he received a piano of his own. He quickly learned to read music, and with some practice he was better than most adults. His first real piano lessons were from a neighbor’s daughter who taught him pieces such as “On to Victory” and “The Mountain Belle.” Even as a child, he would compose pieces and ask for his mother’s opinion, which he would continue to do