AOS2: music for ensemble

• ✦ music for ensemble
• | sonority/timbre

  The timbre (type of sound) of instruments, voices and technology.
• | sonority/timbre

  string techniques

  • arco: bowed
  • pizzicato: plucked
  • double stopping: playing 2 strings @ same time
  • tremolo: rapid bowing = dramatic effect
  • mutes: ‘dampen’ the sound
  • vibrato: fluctuations in pitch
• | sonority/timbre

  woodwind techniques

  • slurred: joining notes smoothly
  • tongued: notes are separated, sounding ‘defined’
• | sonority/timbre

  brass techniques

  • mutes: used to ‘dampen’ the sound
• | sonority/timbre

  percussion techniques

  • rim shot: when rim & head of drum hit @ same time
  • drum roll:  beats played in a rapid succession
• | texture

  layers of music & how they relate to each other
• | texture

  monophonic

  • unison: 2 or more pts play same thing @ same time (inc octave doubling) 
• | texture

  homophonic

  • melody & accompaniment: main tune supported by another accompanying part
  • chordal: parts move together producing a series of chords.
• | texture

  polyphonic

  • layered: parts layered to add more fullness to the sound for a richer texture
  • canon: melody is repeated exactly in another part while the first melody is still being played
  • countermelody: new melody heard @ the same time as previous melody
• | baroque chamber music

  baroque era- an overview

  • date: 1600-1750
  • composers: bach, handel, vivaldi
  • types of comps: concerto grosso, suite, trio sonata
  • musical features: ornaments, complex polyphony, terraced dynamics, major/minor tonality
  • instruments: small orchestra- strings w/ some woodwinds, harpsichord & organ, basso continuou (improv)
• | baroque chamber music

  the baroque era, 1600-1750

  performed in:

  • Church
  • Theatre
  • Chamber

  chamber music was performed in a small concert room in the houses of noble people; usually 1 player per part & no conductor.
• | baroque chamber music

  basso continuou

  • chordal part imrpov by harpsichord, organ or lut
  • bass line doubled by cello, bassoon or bass viol
  • bass line written by composer
  • 'continuous bass' accompaniment part
• | baroque chamber music

  bass viola da gumba

  • lowest instr in the viol fami
  • 6 strings
  • flat back
  • played w/ a bow
• | baroque chamber music

  figured bass

  • figured bass uses numbers to indicate which chords to play

  
• | baroque chamber music

  baroque sonata

  • sonata: instrumental piece
  • trio - piece for 3 parts
  • trio sonata: written for 2 inst (usually violins) + basso continuo
• | classical chamber music

  classical era- an overview

  • date: 1750-1810
  • composers: mozart, haydn, beethoven
  • types of music: symphony, solo concerto, string quartet, sonata
  • musical features: simpler melodies_ larger orchestra_ mainly homophonic_ range of dynamics_ elegant, balanced style
• | classical chamber music

  the classical era, 1750-1810

  • 'golden age' of chamber music
  • simpler style of melody & harmony
  • piano replaced harpsichord
  • many duets, quartets & quintets were written & performed
• | classical chamber music

  string quartet

  • 1 of the most popular types of ensemble
  • 4 parts: 2 violins, viola & cello
  • melodic themes shared between the instruments

  movement 1: allegro, sonata

  movement 2: adagio, ternary OR theme and variation

  movement 3: moderato, dance (eg minuet and trio)

  movement 4: allegro, sonata/rondo

  
• | romantic chamber music

  the romantic era - an overview

  • 1810-1900
  • composers: schubert, schumann, brahms
  • types of music: symphonic poem, lieder, extended symphonies & concertos
  • musical features: lyrical melodies_ very expressive_ wide range of dynamics_ rhythmic freedom_ rich, chromatic harmonies_ unexpected key changes
• | romantic chamber music

  the romantic era, 1810-1900

  • chamber music performed in large, public concertos
  • string quartets still popular
  • composers experimented w/ different combos of instruments
  • piano often featured
  • pieces were often complex & demanding
• | romantic chamber music

  piano quintet

  • piano
  • 2 violins
  • viola
  • cello
• | musical theatre

  common musical features!

  • prelude/overture: instrumental piece that are played as an into to opening scene
  • opening numbers/finales: catchy, memorable songs that begin & end the show
  • large choruses: big, whole cast songs= impt points
  • instrumental interludes: music played in the background or during scene changes
  • vocal solos: songs performed by 1 character
  • recitative: half spoken style of singing that helps move the plot along
• | musical theatre

  • classic musicals: written in the 'golden age' of musical theatre (1920-59)
  • disney musicals: based on famous Disney movies
  • jukebox musicals: songs are well-known pop songs
  • sung through musicals: no/few spoken lines
• | blues

  the origin of Jazz & Blues

  • start of the 20th century
  • america
  • developed from work songs, spirituals & chants sung by those who were enslaved
• | blues

  the beginnings of Jazz & Blues

  • 1865: slavery abolished
  • black people still suffered hardship
  • some singers performed in vars & travelling shows
  • accompaniment developed from simple guitar/piano to small ensembles
  • performed from memory and improvisations
• | blues

  12 bar blues

  
• | blues

  blue notes