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Musical Meaning Blog - Music & Experimentalism

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    Gagaku – Etenraku; Imperial Household Agency Gagaku Ensemble This piece clearly demonstrates the idea of musical experimentalism because it is based on a very different musical system compared to Western art music. Imperial Household Agency Gagaku Ensemble performs this traditional court music using instruments and tuning systems that are not centered around Western harmony or rhythm. Instead of following clear harmonic progressions or strong rhythmic patterns, the piece is built around slow melodic movement, sustained tones, and unusual timbral textures. The structure is very open and non-directional, which creates a sound world that does not follow traditional Western expectations of musical form or development. Through the use of these unfamiliar musical elements, the piece demonstrates experimentalism by challenging what listeners usually expect music to sound like. For many listeners, this piece creates a very unfamiliar and reflective experience because it does not f...
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Musical Meaning Blog - Music & Virtuosity

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  Caprice No. 24 in A minor;  Niccolò Paganini ; performed by  Itzhak Perlman This piece clearly demonstrates the idea of musical virtuosity because of how it is built around extremely difficult violin techniques that require a high level of skill from the performer. Niccolò Paganini structures this piece by introducing a main theme and then developing it through a series of variations. Each variation changes the way the theme is played by adding in different technical challenges such as fast scales, double stops, and quick string crossings. Through the use of these constantly changing techniques, the piece focuses less on simple melody and more on showcasing the performer’s ability. Rather than keeping the music simple or repetitive, the composer builds the piece around increasing difficulty which highlights virtuosity throughout. For many listeners, this piece creates a feeling of excitement and amazement because of how fast and complex it sounds. Since most audience...
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Musical Meaning Blog - Music & Form/Symmetry

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Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis Composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams; String Orchestra      This piece clearly demonstrates the idea of musical form and symmetry because of it being built around a Renaissance hymn melody which was composed by Thomas Tallis in the 16th century. Vaughan Williams structures the whole piece by presenting the theme which then leads into him transforming it by using different sections of the orchestra. Through the use of increasing texture and intensity he is able to expand the music outward and then later in the piece go back to a calm version of the theme which creates an arch like structure. With the use of musical idea introduced earlier in the piece which eventually return to a similar form later he is able create a sense of balance and symmetry through this type of organization. Rather than going from on in no specific order form one idea to another, this composer establishes a theme and then develops it and then is able to return back...
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Musical Meaning Blog #1 - Music & Drama

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          Overture to The Wreckers   Composed by Ethel Smyth; BBC Symphony Orchestra           Ethel Smyth's Overture to The Wreckers  is connected to the topic of music and drama because the music has the feel that it is setting up a story before the audience actually sees anything on the stage. Since it comes from an opera, the job of the overture is to introduce emotion and tension which is obvious from the beginning. The orchestra moves between a powerful and intense part to a quieter part, which creates feelings of conflict and anticipation. The different emotional scenes unfold as a result of the contrast in parts. The suspense is built through the sound of the music alone, demonstration how drama can be present strictly through instrumental music.           The piece also holds a meaning due to the historical context of the composer. Ethel Smyth was a female composer who worked du...
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