Nineteenth Century Musical Study Guide

Assignment #4 STUDY GUIDE Review PART 5 * Due Apr 3 by 11:59pm * Points 20 * Available Mar 26 at 12am - Apr 3 at 11:59pm Assignment #4 Review Quiz Study Guide: Part 5 The Nineteenth Century: Chapter 37, 39-42, 44-45 QUIZ: April 3 in class * In class via link to Google form * 20 points * There is NO submission to Canvas **************************************************** DEFINITIONS: * Lied: German word for song. In 19th-century classical music, a "Lied" (plural: "Lieder") refers to a German art song, typically for solo voice and piano, setting a German poetic text to music, a genre that flourished during the Romantic period * song cycle: a group, or cycle, of individually complete songs designed to be performed in sequence, as a unit * Nocturne: a composition, especially for piano, inspired by or evocative of the night, often characterized by a dreamy, pensive, and lyrical mood - Chopin - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WE_LFyFdUUM?feature=share * Rubato subtle rhythmic manipulation and nuance in performance. * Etude: an instrumental musical composition, usually short, designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular musical skill * Polonaise a stately Polish processional dance in triple time and a musical form associated with it, often featuring a march-like character and a distinctive rhythm * Mazurka - Polish national dance from Chopin! lively Polish folk dance in triple time, characterized by stamping feet and clicking heels, traditionally danced to the music of a village band, and often features a strong accent on the second or third beat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2vfnA_1pjk * program symphony a multi-movement orchestral composition that tells a story or depicts a scene, often based on a literary or pictorial idea * idee fixe : the "idée fixe" (French for "fixed idea") is a recurring theme or melody that serves as a structural foundation and often represents a specific emotion or character trait, particularly prominent in Hector Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIZSwGz6xzo * concert overture * single-movement orchestral piece, typically from the Romantic period, intended for concert performance and often based on a literary or descriptive program, rather than serving as an introduction to a larger work like an opera * nationalism in music * Rise of Nationalist Sentiment: The 19th century witnessed a surge in nationalist movements across Europe, with composers using music to express and promote national identity and aspirations. * Musical Characteristics: * Folk Music Incorporation: Composers began to incorporate elements of folk music, such as melodies, rhythms, and dances, into their art music compositions. * National Themes: They also used national themes, legends, and historical events as inspiration for their works. * Distinct National Styles: This led to the development of distinct national styles of music, reflecting the unique character of each nation. * Examples: Chopin, Dvorak, Wagner * Leitmotif a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation. * Gesamtkunstwork "Gesamtkunstwerk," a German term meaning "total work of art," refers to a unified artistic creation that integrates various art forms like music, drama, poetry, and visual arts into a cohesive whole, as championed by Richard Wagner. SPECIAL AREAS: Read/Review * Chapter 40 Interface: Music, Gender and Domesticity * Chapter 41 Interface: Musical Instruments and New Technologies MUSIC TITLES AND CONTENT: Things to know * Erlkonig - the 'characters' and story description * "Erlkönig" is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It depicts the death of a child assailed by a supernatural being, the Erlking, a king of the fairies. It was originally written by Goethe as part of a 1782 Singspiel, Die Fischerin. "Erlkönig" has been called Goethe's "most famous ballad". * Franz Schubert’s composition: https://youtu.be/JS91p-vmSf0?feature=shared * * Rigoletto- the important characters and very brief story description Rigoletto" is a tragic opera by Giuseppe Verdi about a hunchbacked jester who, after mocking a nobleman whose daughter the Duke has seduced, is cursed, leading to the tragic death of his own daughter, Gilda. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cKOmQ6nq5I Here's a more detailed synopsis: * The Duke of Mantua: A morally corrupt and womanizing ruler, the Duke is the focus of the opera's initial scenes, where he flaunts his conquests and dismisses the feelings of those around him. * Rigoletto: The Duke's jester, Rigoletto, is a hunchback who uses his wit to amuse the Duke and mock the husbands and fathers of the women the Duke has seduced. * The Curse: After Rigoletto cruelly mocks Count Monterone, whose daughter the Duke has seduced, Monterone curses both the Duke and Rigoletto. * Gilda: Rigoletto's innocent daughter, Gilda, is kept under his protection, unaware of the Duke's true nature. * The Duke's Pursuit: The Duke, captivated by Gilda's beauty, disguises himself as a student and seeks her out, eventually winning her affection. * Rigoletto's Revenge: When Rigoletto learns of the Duke's seduction of Gilda, he plots revenge, hiring an assassin, Sparafucile, to kill the Duke. * Tragic Twist: Gilda, in a desperate attempt to save the Duke, sacrifices herself by offering herself to Sparafucile instead of the Duke, believing it will save her love. * The Final Act: Rigoletto, believing he has avenged his daughter, returns to claim the Duke's body, only to find Gilda's lifeless form in the sack, and the curse is fulfilled. * * The Ring of the Nibelung - WAGNER https://youtu.be/AgzZ_nLOJJE?feature=shared * * The Ring of the Nibelung: What is it? * How many 'parts' make up the whole work? 4 * Main characters - Gods Mortals Valkyries Rhinemaidens, Giants & Nibelungs * * MAIN characters: check textbook or slide in 137 Chapter 45 powerpoint (week 10 Module) * Date: October 26, 2023 Source: "GP at the Met: Wagner’s Ring Cycle | The Story of the Ring: Opera Synopses | Great Performances | PBS" (September 4, 2012) * This briefing document summarizes the main themes, important ideas, and key plot points of Richard Wagner's epic Ring cycle, as outlined in the synopses provided by the Metropolitan Opera and presented on PBS's "Great Performances" website. The cycle consists of four operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung. * Overall Theme: The Ring cycle explores universal themes of power, love, greed, betrayal, fate, and the eventual downfall of a flawed order. It depicts a world inhabited by gods, giants, dwarfs (Nibelungs), and mortal heroes, all intertwined by a cursed golden ring that grants immense power but demands the renunciation of love. The cycle culminates in a twilight of the gods (Götterdämmerung), suggesting a potential for renewal after destruction. * * is a cycle of four German-language epic music dramas composed by Richard Wagner. * The works are based loosely on characters from Germanic heroic legend, namely Norse legendary sagas and the Nibelungenlied. * * Wagner wrote the libretto and music over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. The four parts that constitute the Ring cycle are, in sequence: * ・ Das Rheingold (The Rhinegold) * ・ Die Walküre (The Valkyrie) * ・ Siegfried * ・ Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods) * * COMPOSERS: Identify - who are they and what are they famous for? * Franz Schubert – Austrian composer, known for Lieder (art songs) and symphonies (Unfinished Symphony). * Clara Schumann – German pianist and composer, famous for piano works and advancing her husband Robert Schumann’s legacy. * Frédéric Chopin – Polish composer, renowned for piano music, including nocturnes, etudes, and polonaises. * Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel – German composer, sister of Felix Mendelssohn, known for chamber music and piano pieces. * Hector Berlioz – French composer, famous for Symphonie fantastique and innovative orchestration. * Felix Mendelssohn – German composer, famous for Wedding March, symphonies, and rediscovering Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. * Edvard Grieg – Norwegian composer, known for Peer Gynt Suite and piano concerto. * Giuseppe Verdi – Italian opera composer, famous for Aida, La Traviata, and Rigoletto. * Richard Wagner – German opera composer, known for The Ring Cycle and Tristan und Isolde. Famously awful person and antisemitic. Awful person: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wagner#Controversies *

* concert overture 
*  single-movement orchestral piece, typically from the Romantic period, intended for concert performance and often based on a literary or descriptive program, rather than serving as an introduction to a larger work like an opera
* nationalism in music
   * Rise of Nationalist Sentiment:
The 19th century witnessed a surge in nationalist movements across Europe, with composers using music to express and promote national identity and aspirations. 
   * Musical Characteristics:
   * Folk Music Incorporation: Composers began to incorporate elements of folk music, such as melodies, rhythms, and dances, into their art music compositions. 
   * National Themes: They also used national themes, legends, and historical events as inspiration for their works. 
   * Distinct National Styles: This led to the development of distinct national styles of music, reflecting the unique character of each nation. 
   * Examples:  Chopin, Dvorak, Wagner 
   * Leitmotif a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.
   * Gesamtkunstwork "Gesamtkunstwerk," a German term meaning "total work of art," refers to a unified artistic creation that integrates various art forms like music, drama, poetry, and visual arts into a cohesive whole, as championed by Richard Wagner. 
SPECIAL AREAS: Read/Review
   * Chapter 40 Interface: Music, Gender and Domesticity 
   * Chapter 41 Interface: Musical Instruments and New Technologies
MUSIC TITLES AND CONTENT:
Things to know
   * Erlkonig - the 'characters' and story description
   * "Erlkönig" is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It depicts the death of a child assailed by a supernatural being, the Erlking, a king of the fairies. It was originally written by Goethe as part of a 1782 Singspiel, Die Fischerin. "Erlkönig" has been called Goethe's "most famous ballad".
   * Franz Schubert’s composition:  https://youtu.be/JS91p-vmSf0?feature=shared
   *

* Rigoletto- the important characters and very brief story description 
Rigoletto" is a tragic opera by Giuseppe Verdi about a hunchbacked jester who, after mocking a nobleman whose daughter the Duke has seduced, is cursed, leading to the tragic death of his own daughter, Gilda.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cKOmQ6nq5I

Here's a more detailed synopsis:
   * The Duke of Mantua:
A morally corrupt and womanizing ruler, the Duke is the focus of the opera's initial scenes, where he flaunts his conquests and dismisses the feelings of those around him. 
   * Rigoletto:
The Duke's jester, Rigoletto, is a hunchback who uses his wit to amuse the Duke and mock the husbands and fathers of the women the Duke has seduced. 
   * The Curse:
After Rigoletto cruelly mocks Count Monterone, whose daughter the Duke has seduced, Monterone curses both the Duke and Rigoletto. 
   * Gilda:
Rigoletto's innocent daughter, Gilda, is kept under his protection, unaware of the Duke's true nature. 
   * The Duke's Pursuit:
The Duke, captivated by Gilda's beauty, disguises himself as a student and seeks her out, eventually winning her affection. 
   * Rigoletto's Revenge:
When Rigoletto learns of the Duke's seduction of Gilda, he plots revenge, hiring an assassin, Sparafucile, to kill the Duke. 
   * Tragic Twist:
Gilda, in a desperate attempt to save the Duke, sacrifices herself by offering herself to Sparafucile instead of the Duke, believing it will save her love. 
   * The Final Act:
Rigoletto, believing he has avenged his daughter, returns to claim the Duke's body, only to find Gilda's lifeless form in the sack, and the curse is fulfilled. 
      *       * The Ring of the Nibelung - WAGNER  https://youtu.be/AgzZ_nLOJJE?feature=shared
      *       * The Ring of the Nibelung: What is it?
      * How many 'parts' make up the whole work? 4
      * Main characters - 
Gods
	Mortals
	Valkyries
	Rhinemaidens, Giants & Nibelungs
	      *       * MAIN characters: check textbook or slide in 137 Chapter 45 powerpoint (week 10 Module)
      * Date: October 26, 2023 Source: "GP at the Met: Wagner’s Ring Cycle | The Story of the Ring: Opera Synopses | Great Performances | PBS" (September 4, 2012)
      * This briefing document summarizes the main themes, important ideas, and key plot points of Richard Wagner's epic Ring cycle, as outlined in the synopses provided by the Metropolitan Opera and presented on PBS's "Great Performances" website. The cycle consists of four operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung.
      * Overall Theme: The Ring cycle explores universal themes of power, love, greed, betrayal, fate, and the eventual downfall of a flawed order. It depicts a world inhabited by gods, giants, dwarfs (Nibelungs), and mortal heroes, all intertwined by a cursed golden ring that grants immense power but demands the renunciation of love. The cycle culminates in a twilight of the gods (Götterdämmerung), suggesting a potential for renewal after destruction.
      *       * is a cycle of four German-language epic music dramas composed by Richard Wagner. 
      * The works are based loosely on characters from Germanic heroic legend, namely Norse legendary sagas and the Nibelungenlied. 
      *       * Wagner wrote the libretto and music over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. The four parts that constitute the Ring cycle are, in sequence:
      * ・ Das Rheingold (The Rhinegold)
      * ・ Die Walküre (The Valkyrie)
      * ・ Siegfried
      * ・ Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods)
      *       *       
COMPOSERS:
Identify - who are they and what are they famous for?
      * Franz Schubert – Austrian composer, known for Lieder (art songs) and symphonies (Unfinished Symphony).

* Clara Schumann – German pianist and composer, famous for piano works and advancing her husband Robert Schumann’s legacy.

* Frédéric Chopin – Polish composer, renowned for piano music, including nocturnes, etudes, and polonaises.

* Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel – German composer, sister of Felix Mendelssohn, known for chamber music and piano pieces.

* Hector Berlioz – French composer, famous for Symphonie fantastique and innovative orchestration.

* Felix Mendelssohn – German composer, famous for Wedding March, symphonies, and rediscovering Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.

* Edvard Grieg – Norwegian composer, known for Peer Gynt Suite and piano concerto.

* Giuseppe Verdi – Italian opera composer, famous for Aida, La Traviata, and Rigoletto.

* Richard Wagner – German opera composer, known for The Ring Cycle and Tristan und Isolde. Famously awful person and antisemitic. Awful person:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wagner#Controversies
      *

Transcript for:Nineteenth Century Musical Study Guide

Transcript for:
Nineteenth Century Musical Study Guide