SET WORKS by Niamh O’Flanagan

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Slide Notes

SET WORKS

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Set Works Group C

3 Set Works on your course

Photo by Jesse Kruger

Name of Work 1: Spring from The Four Seasons by ANTONIO VIVALDI

Photo by Mink Mingle

• The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.
A concerto is a work in several movements for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.

• Composed in 1723, The Four Seasons is Vivaldi's best-known work, and is among the most popular pieces of Baroque (late 17th to early 18th centuries) music. Each concerto is named after one of the seasons. Each concerto has 3 movements (sections), a fast, a slow and a fast again. The first 2 movements of "Spring" is the concerto on your course. It features solo violin as well as an ensemble (group) of strings, a string orchestra. This could also be called a chamber orchestra, meaning a small orchestra.

Photo by josémaría

• Originally there was a keyboard instrument called the harpsichord. This was the fore-runner of the piano. The function of the harpsichord was to fill out the bass and inner harmonies as the ensembles were small. This was called basso continuo and is a feature of Baroque music.

Photo by Mulad

• In order to compose a descriptive piece of music for his Four Seasons, Vivaldi took four Sonnets, apparently written by himself.

Photo by oschene

Allegro(1st movement)
Springtime is upon us. The birds celebrate her return with festive song, and murmuring streams are softly caressed by the breezes. Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring roar, casting their dark mantle over heaven, Then they die away to silence, and the birds take up their charming songs once more.

Photo by Mathew Schwartz

Largo (2nd movement)
On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. This is an excellent example of early programme music, that which paints a picture, tells a story or creates a mood.

Photo by Jarren Simmons

Activity
Listen to the music of the 1st movement of "Spring".
1. What are your thoughts on the images used?
2. Do they suit the music?
3. Why?
4. Why are some of the images repeated?

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

10.

1st Movement ‘ALLEGRO’
Type of work - Violin Concerto
Tempo - Lively (Allegro)
Metre - 4 (4beats in each bar)
Form - Ritornello form. This is where one theme keeps returning
Mood - Bouncy, lively .
Texture - Mixture of homophonic and polyphonic
Notice the section near the end of the movement where the soloist displays her dexterity (shows off!) This is called a Cadenza.
Tonality - Major

Photo by sammydavisdog

11.

Ritornello (returning) theme. Spring 1st movement
The main Spring theme (melody) alternates between other sections of the movement. Sometimes the full theme is played, sometimes either half.
It is played by the Tutti (full orchestra), is mostly staccato, and features suddenly changing dynamics, ornamentation and repetition. The texture is always homophonic during this theme.

Photo by Thomas Hawk

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The excerpt below is an example of how the composer illustrates birds singing. This is done by using notes high in pitch, repeated notes, imitation, staccato and ornamentation including trills.

Photo by Dendroica cerulea

14.

The excerpt above is an example of how the composer illustrates birds singing. This is done by using notes high in pitch, repeated notes, imitation, staccato and ornamentation including trills.

15.

In the 2nd episode above, notice how the melody twists and turns like a flowing stream, it moves by step and uses a flowing calm rhythm of semi-quavers.

16.

The change of mood for the thunderstorm is brought about by loud dynamics, fast rising scales and triplets on the solo violin.

17.

2nd Movement, ‘Largo’
For reasons of contrast (change or variety) composers split their works up into different sections called movements. The 2nd movement below contrasts with the 1st movement, above. The tempo is slower, Largo means very slow. The articulation is legato (smooth) whereas the first movement was more staccato (jumpy). Fewer instruments play, and the rhythms of the melody are longer in duration. The texture is Homophonic throughout and it features an Ostinato (repeated musical idea)

Photo by hernanpba

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Tempo - Slow (Largo)
Metre - 3 (3beats in each bar)
Form - A,A Coda (little tail piece at the end.)
Mood - Calm, peaceful .
Tonality – Minor

19.

The purpose of the 2nd movement is to contrast with the 1st movement.
The tonality is minor rather than major.
The metre is 3 rather than 4.
It is homophonic throughout rather than a mixture of homophonic and polyphonic.

20.

Even though there are 3 independent parts played by the 3 instruments, there is only one main melody played on the 1st violin. The 2nd violin (dotted rhythm) and viola (ostinato) play the accompaniment.
The tempo is very slow rather than lively.
The dynamics are soft.
Its is played by a much smaller group of instruments.

21.

Name of Work 2: L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 by GEORGE BIZET

(Two movements: 2nd Movement Intermezzo and 4th Movement Faradole)

Photo by Jarrett Merrill

25.

ABOUT GEORGE BIZET
Georges Bizet (1838 – 1875) was a 19th Century French composer, mainly of operas. In a career cut short by his early death, he achieved few successes before his final work, Carmen, became one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the entire opera repertory. One of Bizet's late assignments came from Carvalho, now managing Paris's Vaudeville theatre, who wanted incidental music for Alphonse Daudet's play L'Arlésienne.

26.

As the play is set in Province, Bizet uses the folk music of that area in his music. When it opened the music was dismissed by critics as too complex for popular taste. However, encouraged by Reyer and Massenet, Bizet fashioned a four-movement suite from the music. A suite is a collection of contrasting dance movements. 2 of the movements, "Farandole" and "intermezzo" make up the final set work on your course.19th Century composers belong to the Romantic era.

27.

2nd Movement - Intermezzo

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An intermezzo is a piece of music played between two acts of a play.
This Intermezzo is in 3 sections, ABA or Ternary form.
Metre is 4, (4/4)
Tonality is Eb major although technically it begins in C minor.
The opening A section features 4, 4-bar "question and answer" phrases. The "question" features strings and woodwind in octaves. The "answer" features woodwind and horns.

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Tempo is Andante moderato ma con moto (At a walking pace, moderately, but with movement).
There is a change of tempo, Allegretto moderato, at the start of the B section, which features a legato melody played by Saxophone, an instrument not usually found in the orchestra, and French Horn. Listen to the strings under this melody as they play broken chord accompaniment first Pizzicato (plucked) and then Arco (bowed). After a big crescendo (gradually louder) and Allargando,(broadening out) the B section comes to a close fff.
Then the quieter A section returns before a big Tutti (full orchestra) finish, ff and molto rit. ( gradually slowing down a lot) to finish. The 2nd A section is not the exact same as the 1st A section. There are little pieces of the "B" melody mixed in there also

30.

In a nutshell…

31.

Intermezzo
Tempo - Andante (at a walking pace)
Metre - 4
Tonality - The main key of the movement is Eb major but the opening is really in C minor.
1st and 3rd phrase (4 bars) in octaves
2nd and 4th phrase block chords
N.B. Instruments
fff - very, very loud
p - quiet
rit. - gradually slower

32.

Start of Section B
Note the tempo change at the start of section B
Change of tonality also.
Melody played on Saxophone, Horn and Clarinet
Accompaniment is broken chords on strings.

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35.

4th Movement - Farandole
A Farandole is a lively dance in duple time (2 beats in each bar) from Provence in France.
This movement uses two melodies or tunes.
The A section begins with the March in D minor played by the whole orchestra (Tutti).
Its in 4/4 and at a march tempo (tempo di marcia).
This is repeated in canon (imitation) where lower strings and woowind imitate the upper strings, oboe and clarinet.
Section B starts with a change of tempo - Allegro vivo e deciso (lively fast and decisive).

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This tune is a dance from Provence and is introduced by a drum (tambourin). First played by flute, then more instruments added. finally it is played by the full orchestra. The articulation is staccato (detached)
The next section features both tunes alternating before the final section consists of both tunes together. The march has to altered from minor to major to let it coincide with the dance.

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40.

Ripples in the Rockpools from "Graunuaile" by Shaun Davey

Grace O'Malley - "Graunuaile”

41.

Granuaile is based on the life of 'Pirate Queen' Grace O'Malley, the 16th century Irish woman chieftain whose galleys dominated the seas off the Mayo coast. With all its passion adventure, drama and pain, Shaun Davey found an ideal subject for his lyrical, evocative, highly human work. In singer Rita Connolly, with a voice of the purity of crystal, he found the ideal Grace O'Malley. Together they have made the legend of 'Granuaile' (Grace O'Malley in Irish) come vividly to life. 'The Granuaile Suite' (1985) sets an episode of Irish history in the context of wider European history through a work which appeals to music lovers of all ages. One song in the cycle, 'Ripples in the Rockpools' quickly became a popular classic.

42.

The first of Shaun Davey's concert works, 'The Brendan Voyage', made its debut in 1980. Since that time, he has been recognised as one of Ireland's leading composers of music that combines popular appeal with genuine cultural significance. In a parallel career, he is in demand both at home and abroad to produce scores for theatre, film and television.

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Born in Belfast and living in Dublin, it is perhaps part of Shaun's persona to cross boundaries. He has chosen, in his concert works, to explore the turning points in Irish History, celebrating that which unites rather than divides the Celtic people. Large numbers of the music loving public are prepared to take this journey with him. Standing ovations at sell-out concerts are a commonplace reaction to The Brendan Voyage, The Pilgrim, Granuaile, 'Concerto for Uilleann Pipes and Orchestra', The Relief of Derry Symphony, the 'Concerto for Two Harps ' and Gulliver, A Choral Symphony

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Style
A glance at the ensemble above gives a clue to the style of Davey's music. Obviously there's an orchestra so the music is going to have a classical flavour. Notice however the musicians dressed differently at the front of the group, separate from the orchestra. There's an uilleann piper, a solo fiddler, a singer, a guitarist, an Irish Harper.

45.

The full range of instruments in Ripples in the Rockpools is as follows;
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon.
horn, trumpet.
xylophone, timpani, piano, congas,
harp, strings, guitar and pipes.

46.

The style of the music is a mixture between classical, folk and traditional.
The tonality is modal, the texture is mostly homophonic.
Ripples in the rockpools is 1 movement in the Granuaile Suite.
A Suite is a collection of contrasting dance movement

47.

The 2 Bar INTRODUCTION in 4/4 time features Violai and celli playing repeated Bs.

48.

The VERSES alternate between 7/8 4/4 and 2/4.
The 1st 2 bars are a Sequence Listen to the guitar strum at the start of verse 1 and 2 and notice the strings are still playing in the background.
Verses1and2

49.

The CHORUS features alternating 7/8 and 4/4 bars. There is harmony backing vocals and a full guitar strum.
The 3 bar "bridge" at the end of the chorus features the woodwind instruments, flute oboe and clarinet, and also a xylpohone. Again note the unusual time signatures.

50.

The other verses are different from verse 1 and 2 in that they have harmony vocals and a full guitar strum. Notice the strings and piano chords in the background. The rising scale on flute and clarinet at the end of the verse is an example of "word painting" to illustrate the words "wind is surely rising".

51.

After verses 5 and 6 there is an extended instrumental section beore returning to the last 2 choruses. Most of this section is a reel, (4/4) an Irish dance tune featuring the uilleann pipes. Notice the syncopated rhythms heard in the orchestral accompaniment.

Slide Notes

SET WORKS

MORE DECKS TO EXPLORE

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Set Works Group C

Name of Work 1: Spring from The Four Seasons by ANTONIO VIVALDI

• The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. A concerto is a work in several movements for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.

• Originally there was a keyboard instrument called the harpsichord. This was the fore-runner of the piano. The function of the harpsichord was to fill out the bass and inner harmonies as the ensembles were small. This was called basso continuo and is a feature of Baroque music.

• In order to compose a descriptive piece of music for his Four Seasons, Vivaldi took four Sonnets, apparently written by himself.

Largo (2nd movement) On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. This is an excellent example of early programme music, that which paints a picture, tells a story or creates a mood.

Activity Listen to the music of the 1st movement of "Spring". 1. What are your thoughts on the images used? 2. Do they suit the music? 3. Why? 4. Why are some of the images repeated?

Untitled Slide

The excerpt below is an example of how the composer illustrates birds singing. This is done by using notes high in pitch, repeated notes, imitation, staccato and ornamentation including trills.

The excerpt above is an example of how the composer illustrates birds singing. This is done by using notes high in pitch, repeated notes, imitation, staccato and ornamentation including trills.

In the 2nd episode above, notice how the melody twists and turns like a flowing stream, it moves by step and uses a flowing calm rhythm of semi-quavers.

The change of mood for the thunderstorm is brought about by loud dynamics, fast rising scales and triplets on the solo violin.

Tempo - Slow (Largo) Metre - 3 (3beats in each bar) Form - A,A Coda (little tail piece at the end.) Mood - Calm, peaceful . Tonality – Minor

The purpose of the 2nd movement is to contrast with the 1st movement. The tonality is minor rather than major. The metre is 3 rather than 4. It is homophonic throughout rather than a mixture of homophonic and polyphonic.

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Name of Work 2: L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2 by GEORGE BIZET

2nd Movement - Intermezzo

In a nutshell…

Intermezzo Tempo - Andante (at a walking pace) Metre - 4 Tonality - The main key of the movement is Eb major but the opening is really in C minor. 1st and 3rd phrase (4 bars) in octaves 2nd and 4th phrase block chords N.B. Instruments fff - very, very loud p - quiet rit. - gradually slower

Start of Section B Note the tempo change at the start of section B Change of tonality also. Melody played on Saxophone, Horn and Clarinet Accompaniment is broken chords on strings.

Untitled Slide

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Ripples in the Rockpools from "Graunuaile" by Shaun Davey

The full range of instruments in Ripples in the Rockpools is as follows; flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon. horn, trumpet. xylophone, timpani, piano, congas, harp, strings, guitar and pipes.

The style of the music is a mixture between classical, folk and traditional. The tonality is modal, the texture is mostly homophonic. Ripples in the rockpools is 1 movement in the Granuaile Suite. A Suite is a collection of contrasting dance movement

The 2 Bar INTRODUCTION in 4/4 time features Violai and celli playing repeated Bs.

The VERSES alternate between 7/8 4/4 and 2/4. The 1st 2 bars are a Sequence Listen to the guitar strum at the start of verse 1 and 2 and notice the strings are still playing in the background. Verses1and2

The CHORUS features alternating 7/8 and 4/4 bars. There is harmony backing vocals and a full guitar strum. The 3 bar "bridge" at the end of the chorus features the woodwind instruments, flute oboe and clarinet, and also a xylpohone. Again note the unusual time signatures.

After verses 5 and 6 there is an extended instrumental section beore returning to the last 2 choruses. Most of this section is a reel, (4/4) an Irish dance tune featuring the uilleann pipes. Notice the syncopated rhythms heard in the orchestral accompaniment.

Niamh O’Flanagan

Error!

• The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.
A concerto is a work in several movements for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.

Largo (2nd movement)
On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. This is an excellent example of early programme music, that which paints a picture, tells a story or creates a mood.

Activity
Listen to the music of the 1st movement of "Spring".
1. What are your thoughts on the images used?
2. Do they suit the music?
3. Why?
4. Why are some of the images repeated?

Tempo - Slow (Largo)
Metre - 3 (3beats in each bar)
Form - A,A Coda (little tail piece at the end.)
Mood - Calm, peaceful .
Tonality – Minor

The purpose of the 2nd movement is to contrast with the 1st movement.
The tonality is minor rather than major.
The metre is 3 rather than 4.
It is homophonic throughout rather than a mixture of homophonic and polyphonic.

Intermezzo
Tempo - Andante (at a walking pace)
Metre - 4
Tonality - The main key of the movement is Eb major but the opening is really in C minor.
1st and 3rd phrase (4 bars) in octaves
2nd and 4th phrase block chords
N.B. Instruments
fff - very, very loud
p - quiet
rit. - gradually slower

Start of Section B
Note the tempo change at the start of section B
Change of tonality also.
Melody played on Saxophone, Horn and Clarinet
Accompaniment is broken chords on strings.

The full range of instruments in Ripples in the Rockpools is as follows;
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon.
horn, trumpet.
xylophone, timpani, piano, congas,
harp, strings, guitar and pipes.

The style of the music is a mixture between classical, folk and traditional.
The tonality is modal, the texture is mostly homophonic.
Ripples in the rockpools is 1 movement in the Granuaile Suite.
A Suite is a collection of contrasting dance movement

The VERSES alternate between 7/8 4/4 and 2/4.
The 1st 2 bars are a Sequence Listen to the guitar strum at the start of verse 1 and 2 and notice the strings are still playing in the background.
Verses1and2

The CHORUS features alternating 7/8 and 4/4 bars. There is harmony backing vocals and a full guitar strum.
The 3 bar "bridge" at the end of the chorus features the woodwind instruments, flute oboe and clarinet, and also a xylpohone. Again note the unusual time signatures.