tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post3805138116690092102..comments2023-07-22T02:29:39.869-07:00Comments on Scully Notes: Discussion #1 for Theory AND Form StudentsJim Scully - aka jimmuscomphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17471829981924551501noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-45027987298855956142010-09-28T10:09:30.276-07:002010-09-28T10:09:30.276-07:00It sounds like a cowboy tune... Its the sterotypic...It sounds like a cowboy tune... Its the sterotypical pioneerish sound that everyone expects from a western movie. I bet you this song has been in at least one clint eastwood film lol.The MARLEXBOOChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07465139368685562943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-18823571967518386002010-09-27T23:17:10.600-07:002010-09-27T23:17:10.600-07:00I am heavily influenced by music composed for film...I am heavily influenced by music composed for films, and anything instrumental that can bring about and emphasize a mood I am in, at the current time I am listening to it. One composer that moves me unlike others is Ludovico Einaudi. Einaudi is an Italian composer, who has scored some music for films and television and has also done several albums of single tracks. He is not nearly as common as the likes of John Williams or James Horner, but his music speaks in the same essential language. Some of my favorite pieces by him are not even composed for films, but if I close my eyes and imagine a storyline among the likes of one of his pieces, I find myself easily drifting into the journey his music takes me on. <br /><br />The great thing about his compositions is his use of strings and piano. I love how he incorporates subtle background harmonies while the piano takes charge of a beautiful melody that encompasses it all. One beautiful example of this is his composition “Primavera” which features exactly what I’ve described, and the tones are graceful and pure. The track “Love is a Mystery” which he composed as a part of the Dr. Zhivago soundtrack for the 2002 television remake is also a great example of his expertise in combining piano and violin harmoniously. A composer like this is exactly why I want to better myself musically, because I want to one day too, compose <br />professionally.<br /><br />Here is one of my absolute favorite pieces by this contemporary composer. <br />Le Onde (The Waves) by Ludovico Einaudi:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr4FN_DOpSkFelicia_Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07664307760249111589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-83879940218573166172010-09-27T23:16:54.654-07:002010-09-27T23:16:54.654-07:00I am heavily influenced by music composed for film...I am heavily influenced by music composed for films, and anything instrumental that can bring about and emphasize a mood I am in, at the current time I am listening to it. One composer that moves me unlike others is Ludovico Einaudi. Einaudi is an Italian composer, who has scored some music for films and television and has also done several albums of single tracks. He is not nearly as common as the likes of John Williams or James Horner, but his music speaks in the same essential language. Some of my favorite pieces by him are not even composed for films, but if I close my eyes and imagine a storyline among the likes of one of his pieces, I find myself easily drifting into the journey his music takes me on. <br /><br />The great thing about his compositions is his use of strings and piano. I love how he incorporates subtle background harmonies while the piano takes charge of a beautiful melody that encompasses it all. One beautiful example of this is his composition “Primavera” which features exactly what I’ve described, and the tones are graceful and pure. The track “Love is a Mystery” which he composed as a part of the Dr. Zhivago soundtrack for the 2002 television remake is also a great example of his expertise in combining piano and violin harmoniously. A composer like this is exactly why I want to better myself musically, because I want to one day too, compose <br />professionally.<br /><br />Here is one of my absolute favorite pieces by this contemporary composer. <br />Le Onde (The Waves) by Ludovico Einaudi:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr4FN_DOpSkFelicia_Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07664307760249111589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-13246456556716494142010-09-26T21:54:34.218-07:002010-09-26T21:54:34.218-07:00-James
There is a lot of music out there that mov...-James<br /><br />There is a lot of music out there that moves me, but if I was to pick one song in particular it would have to be "Cicatriz Esp" by The Mars Volta. I grew up listening to a lot of punk rock and not much else, and this was the first band that I got into that has a lot of jamming, soloing, and experimentation. The song is something like 9 minutes long and has really interesting jams that lead into weird ambient noise and then back to crazy jams. I first heard this song back when I was a freshman in high school and I still love it today. <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOx38GLyYRYJames Dandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08249119226264412572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-50963891656631531142010-09-26T19:25:51.581-07:002010-09-26T19:25:51.581-07:00-Laura Best-
Similiar to Jason's thoughts, I t...-Laura Best-<br />Similiar to Jason's thoughts, I think this piece can be related to many peoples feelings about battles they have won, whether personal experiences or their country as a whole.<br />I like Chris's depiction of the astronaut. The music sounds like it could be used in a film, showing a "victory" in slow motion.<br />The emphasized brass parts have such energy in their harmonies. I think the slower tempo of this energy is creating the power and strength in the sound. Which may be why it gives a sense of optimism and "victory" to the listener. <br />So, the choice of instrument(trumpets here), with "open" harmonies and a slow tempo can create as much or even more power than a presto piece.<br />I can't get myself to categorize it under an "ONLY American" sound, but it could definitely be used to musically describe the Common, Working Man of America.Laura Besthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02363539201380030913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-83393101825406894272010-09-26T01:00:28.193-07:002010-09-26T01:00:28.193-07:00there are many instrumental and vocal songs out th...there are many instrumental and vocal songs out there that make me to love music more and more every single day.However, I see classical music as pure sound of all the different genre, but I connect more with fusion music. specially, the ones united different cultures.for instance, this duet , Karen Briggs and Shahrdad Rohani, they prove the real improvisation based on fusion music and they both are from different part of world.<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNCxJnxGDng&feature=related<br /><br />or on this piece (ascending bird) by Keyhan Kalhour that played with silk road ensemble . Kalhour composed this song in middle east and now is playing with silk road project.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To3W4U6IQfA&feature=related<br /><br />these are the music that motivate me, there are infinite sounds in music in different forms that needs to be find.aminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02405333110121952722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-20805010883279416752010-09-25T22:33:16.669-07:002010-09-25T22:33:16.669-07:00Oh, Fanfare for the Common Man!
By the way, I pur...Oh, Fanfare for the Common Man! <br />By the way, I purposefully didn’t read anyone’s responses yet, so if I’m saying the same thing as you, I’m not even sorry about it.<br />The most identifiably American thing about it is the first thing we hear, the open fourths and fifths, like the tunings of a banjo or guitar. It’s just a sound that we’re really accustomed to hearing, I think. These kinds of sonorities are just really characteristic of his most patriotic of compositions (Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, Billy the Kid, etc.). Also, the trumpets, the most pompous of instruments (Sorry, Kathy), share their thoughts nice and loud while the rest of the orchestra struggles to get a word in edgewise. They want see to it that everyone hears about their opinion on the matter, though they don’t seem to have it straightened out themselves, hence the elevator-like modulations right from the beginning. <br />“WELL I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO....I MEAN.....EVERYONE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF....WELL...I JUST......”<br />Very American, I think. I like the manic strings toward the end, too. It’s like the violins and the brass are fighting with each other, but then suddenly come to terms with the fact that they are totally equal or something.<br />I like it.Anna Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10441637593592249760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-55653213536348415792010-09-25T22:32:15.424-07:002010-09-25T22:32:15.424-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anna Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10441637593592249760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-79535050492567380272010-09-25T21:25:33.961-07:002010-09-25T21:25:33.961-07:00I went on an Aaron Copland binge just before schoo...I went on an Aaron Copland binge just before school started, so I thought that this post was very interesting. The main thing that I can say about this piece is how surprising it is to think that American art stems from individual people. A strange concept to think about when America can be identified as a hodgepodge of different cultures. I can definitely hear the atmosphere of the open range and westerns, and even the scenes that Chris made up to go along with this music. <br /> But, I think that all of the grandeur of the instruments, and 4th's and 5th's Dandy mentioned identifies itself within the context of what a person who has never been to America may think about this place. It brings Star Wars to mind, and those old narrorated Disney cartoons like Susie the Car (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pxap-M_--k) and Boy Meets Dog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dezvcKMRFt4). Even more exciting to think about, is the person who does not have any kind of musical knowledge saying “Hey that sounds really patriotic!”. Which is exactly what happened with my Mom when I first viewed the link. I was excited to explain to her that it was Aaron Copland, and see her reaction to the other stuff he has done that I knew she would recognize. So I'm not entirely sure what makes this identifiable as American, but I do know that it is unmistakable.Jsantiagounderscore54https://www.blogger.com/profile/12517828084950133857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-83416171721976129502010-09-25T01:21:30.564-07:002010-09-25T01:21:30.564-07:00Oh, and music that moves me....anything can make m...Oh, and music that moves me....anything can make me want to move, literally. Sound, even random sounds like people walking, can make me want to move. Also, I like Alejandro, have eclectic taste. Originally I was limited to listening to 89.1 FM....that was ALL that was played in my house. But once I became older, my cousins expanded my horizons to Mexican pop, then banda, mariachi, ranchera. The ball just kept rolling, and it keeps rolling, to the point that I even like atonal, dissonant music. It makes me think.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295012717364249238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-89008128930275006152010-09-25T01:09:28.489-07:002010-09-25T01:09:28.489-07:00Whoa, my second sentence makes no sense. I meant ...Whoa, my second sentence makes no sense. I meant that in high school I went to a Navy Band concert, and the patriotic music played at the concert shares similarities with this movement we listened to.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295012717364249238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-82084834644424736772010-09-25T01:04:18.860-07:002010-09-25T01:04:18.860-07:00Barring a few facts, I do not know much about Aaro...Barring a few facts, I do not know much about Aaron Copland, and I know even less about his 3rd Symphony. However, by listening to Copland in high school I went to a Navy Band Concert. The program of course comprised mostly of patriotic tunes, most of which are much newer compositions than Copland's. The relationship between these compositions and Copland's fourth movement from his third symphony are evident. These more recent compositions imitate Copland's fanfare, which my ear tells me is in essence formed by arpeggiated major chords, thus indicating that Copland is very important in the history of American music. They also copy his soaring, spinning, and majestic melodies.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295012717364249238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-34366737227744088202010-09-24T14:12:53.187-07:002010-09-24T14:12:53.187-07:00If you haven't watched There Will Be Blood, yo...If you haven't watched There Will Be Blood, you're missing out. In case you haven't heard it before, here's "Open Spaces" of the There Will Be Blood soundtrack, scored by Jonny Greenwood:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSNGOpyWWOs&feature=related<br /><br />I don't pretend to know musical aesthetics as intimately and extensively as a professor does, but I'm positive in saying that Jonny Greenwood was attempting to encapsulate the vast, daunting openness of the American Southwest (and it was portrayed in the film as especially formidable), with as much descriptive accuracy as four minutes could afford him. I can give you my airy account that I felt the intended bitterness, anguish, awe and uncertainty, but I'd actually rather know more about WHY I felt those things than go on convincing you that I did. Years of listening to more music and recognizing the parts integral to why the music is emotive are probably the only way to go about learning this.<br /><br />Hearing variety in a piece brings me a lot of pleasure for some reason. Pop music rarely gets by attention because of all the redundancy and repetition.<br /><br />There are two musical drives that I'm able to identify within me which ultimately aim to achieve a single mutual goal: to be technically proficient and creatively compelling. Each is the antithesis of the other it seems, or so I've been told. And as my perspective's been strictly that of a listener, I don't have much to say about more recondite compositions like those by Jonny Greenwood on the TWBB soundtrack. What I think I like about dodecaphony is the larger compositional palette and the balancing of all the tonally-complicating elements inherent to using such a large palette. And I've always loved dissonance.deverysturgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09222601238992358343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-41407486813385437182010-09-24T14:12:25.653-07:002010-09-24T14:12:25.653-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.deverysturgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09222601238992358343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-90546025368195026642010-09-24T12:00:37.961-07:002010-09-24T12:00:37.961-07:00Something i have been listening to would be Rimsky...Something i have been listening to would be Rimsky-Korsakov, 'Scheherazade'. I picked this record up this summer and i just can't get enough of it. It was the best dollar i spent this summer. hahaKungFuMasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09582414579393850487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-10134156894018539472010-09-24T11:47:58.597-07:002010-09-24T11:47:58.597-07:00Music that moves me would be rap, reggae, classica...Music that moves me would be rap, reggae, classical, funk, blues, jazz, rock, pop, Spanish, African, and oldies. I mostly listen to reggae more than anything but anything that just sounds like it is going somewhere or moves the way I like, I will listen to it. In many ways this song symbolizes what it is to be American, and I agree it is the fan fare, but the emotions reminded me of football. Being moved by music is something a lot of players need in order to prepare for a game, and Copland is doing that for America. This country is full of greatness, and so is this song, it builds your spirits just like the country. I found three links that I think also represent "American"<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yn8Hyp7k04<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sJcVo1qruY<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sJcVo1qruYSemisihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10511726363165666370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-92088277382800583132010-09-24T09:45:52.292-07:002010-09-24T09:45:52.292-07:00I also agree with a couple of the other students a...I also agree with a couple of the other students about western times coming to mind when listening to the beginning of the symphony. I also for some reason start thinking about the third back to the future movie.<br /><br />I can feel the "American" in this symphony because to me, the music makes me visualize a whole journey of the American man and America in general of what America has gone through through years of history, good and bad. The instrumentation that Copland created is really amazing. The brass instruments giving that broad, strong, and proud feeling that America stands for. Also the speed and emphasis the percussion adds with the brass instruments. And when the woodwinds and strings take over it makes me visualize America moving on and being productive and accompishing in things. Copland uses the different instruments to represent something different of what is American.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16466122508610451517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-36879694378457422682010-09-24T03:00:27.795-07:002010-09-24T03:00:27.795-07:00Chris Nguyen
The opening- The sun is rising over ...Chris Nguyen<br /><br />The opening- The sun is rising over a war torn battle field in Normandy. the american flag can be seen waving in the distance. A solder is carrying a wounded brother in arms over his shoulder with an expression of great resolve. He turns to his comrade, looks him in the eyes and says, "we're goin home buddy. We're goin home" <br /><br />The next part with the oboe & middle part- The sun is rising upon the vast great plains of the new fronteir. The birds chirping are the first signs of the new day. A prairie dog peers his head out of a hole in the field to look around in curiosity. A butterfly lands on a flower. Two squirrels are playing happily. As the sun continues to spread its majestic light over the world, we see a wagon train riding along the faint trail in the distance. Men are riding their horses, leading the train kicking up clouds of dust in its wake. Boys are playing and runnung alongsinde the steady moving convoy while Mothers and girls sit it the back of the wagons looking in awe at the unfamiliar landscape. Looking on In the background we can see they are headed towards a huge mountain range enhanced with the brilliant rays of sunlight through the clouds. There is a mutual feeling of excitement among all of the settlers as they wonder what awaits them in this vast new land. <br /><br />Next part with the piccolo- The sun is rising... in the reflection of the astronaut's helmet as he is floating in space, the final fronteir. Earth can be seen in the background, a sight never before seen by the eyes of man. The rest of the surrounding is black with tiny specks of light sprawled across the canvas. His spacecraft decends upon an all white unfamiliar surface. With a strong sense pride and triumph, He takes his first step out of the craft and says something about a man stepping on something.<br /><br />Very last part- The sun is rising. Superman is looking on into the distance.<br /><br />You can't get any more American than thatcrs251https://www.blogger.com/profile/07932066475572353882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-44747478119690413842010-09-23T23:04:03.112-07:002010-09-23T23:04:03.112-07:00Ahh, Aaron Copland, I don't tend to listen to ...Ahh, Aaron Copland, I don't tend to listen to much classical or symphonic music, but I do tend to enjoy his work. <br /><br />As far as music that really moves me however, I tend to go for singer songwriter type music a lot. For a long time before I payed attention to music as a whole I would listen to songs for the lyrics. That kind of attitude really seeps into music even as I listen to it now, words tend to have a greater impact on me, so when I find a group or artist that I feel has truly profound or talented lyrical ability I tend to go all in for them. Some of my personal favorite lyricists are Mark Stewart and Adam Durits, from the bands The Negro Problem and Counting Crows, respectively.<br /><br />The Negro Problem- <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUnYqV0hyww<br /><br />Counting Crows-<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PAP3kN8J8w<br /><br />THis kind of view on music has it's drawbacks, as I can rarely find instrumental music that draws me in quite so well, though I've been making progress lately. With bands like Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, and You Slut!. Tending to catch my attention. <br /><br />Mogwai-<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cddprg-YwXQ<br /><br />Explosions in the Sky-<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKyrULAfvq8<br /><br />You Slut!-<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohhss3V10rA<br /><br />I also tend to listen to music where the musicians use effects and hardware to get interesting sounds from their instruments. I'm a big fan of distortion, fuzz, echo, whammy bars, pinch harmonics and things like that. So I do enjoy metal, but I prefer noise or indie rock. Bands like Glasvegas, Brand New's newer albums, things like that.<br /><br />Glasvegas-<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvjfsoemDWs<br /><br />Brand New-<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKZkkBFCceY<br /><br />Overall though, I love all kinds of music and can listen to and enjoy almost anything with a little time. I believe music is the most universal form of artistic expression, it makes everything seem small by comparison. There's nothing more amazing to me than watching true musicians practice their craft. It's a truly existential experience, and one of the reasons I've grown to love music so much in so short a time as I have.<br /><br />Hope I did this right, I had a lot of fun with it either way. See you in class.<br />-Ryan VaughnRyan Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12179512368481988439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-80822352799361562132010-09-23T22:58:52.249-07:002010-09-23T22:58:52.249-07:00success!! Hi this is whitney herbst.
Copland real...success!! Hi this is whitney herbst. <br />Copland really does capture the American gusto.And looking at other works by Copland, he seemed to like the western movement of America. I don't know that for sure, but he sorta stricks me as a 'western movie fan'.<br />anyways... I think he achieved that American sound by using leaps in his melody, like 5ths and 4ths. Other American patriotic songs, like the 'Star Spangled Banner', also have leaps in the melody.Through using this technique he achieves a wider more open sound, like the wide ranges of America. So, Copland basically found our National motive, and captured it through listening to our musical heritage. Also, as the piece progresses he adds excitment through off beats and faster rhythms.KungFuMasterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09582414579393850487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-52195809721595444962010-09-23T22:15:16.107-07:002010-09-23T22:15:16.107-07:00HA I love how the video doesn't go along with ...HA I love how the video doesn't go along with the music, somebody did some video editing.<br /><br />I think this composition is American because of the overall sonority and tonality. The strings and the brass have rhythms that are very unique to Aaron Copland. The melody carried between the french horns and the trumpets at the beginning with accents by the timpani gives the movement a grand intro and leads into the playful melody between the strings and woodwinds. <br /><br />Maybe I watched too many westerns as a kid. Maybe it was too many beef commercials but the song makes me think about the prairie or a steam engine cutting across the great American plains.<br />Fernando MontoyaYourmothershouldknowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12818126389312823556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-77499196687619546392010-09-23T21:20:05.316-07:002010-09-23T21:20:05.316-07:00The music, or should I say, musician that moves me...The music, or should I say, musician that moves me the most would have to be cecilia bartolli. As a vocal performance major, I truly appreciate and admire not only her superhuman talent, I am inspired by her love and dedication to the study of music itself. Bartolli was very large on the opera circut for a very long time, but lately she has used her success for musicology, discovering arias that have not been performed for over 300 years!<br />Her most recent venture has been in the realm of the Castrati (young boys who were castrated so they could fulfill the role as a soprano or mezzo since women were forbidden to perform.) Here, she explains a small portion of her album Sacrifictum, titled as such because the the bodies of the castrati were sacrificed for the sake of music:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdcp_FpfqI<br /><br />Cecilia explains in her DVD theatrical presentation that she actually had to undergo special breath training in order to sing in the same capacity as the castrati did. Because the castrati did not stop growing their lung capacity was enormous, yet Bartoli rose to the challenge. <br /><br />My next clip shows her in a recital situation and you can see from the very beginning that she is very theatrical, and some people in the music world tease her for it. However, she is actually making music through her facial expressions! Every muscle in the face has to do with tone and sound resonation, and for the sake of music yet again, she becomes the character and transforms into the song itself. She is such a passionate woman; whenever i watch her make music it truly motivates me to be at least 20% of the musician she is, because i know that anything past 20% of her passion is humanly impossible!<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn89JoTfBak<br /><br /><br /> Ashten Smithashtenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08140299688855908223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-53335746260737062842010-09-23T21:08:39.194-07:002010-09-23T21:08:39.194-07:00Well it seems easy for Michael, Elia, I, and I'...Well it seems easy for Michael, Elia, I, and I'm sure others to relate this piece to the western times. Obviously we have seen western movies and this piece is similar to ones that we hear in those movies so it is only natural to connect the dots when listening. <br /> <br />The first thing that usually makes me think of patriotism in music is the sound of snares and flutes. Way back in the day during wars there were always snares and flutes marching. However trumpets do ring an "American" feeling. This piece brings out the trumpets and makes us feel at home with it. I don't generally like brass instruments over powering most of the time, but Copeland has a way of using those instruments in this piece that just feel right.Pauline Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14588631174443951416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-15697062371128595632010-09-23T20:31:01.404-07:002010-09-23T20:31:01.404-07:00Hi all. Copland is undeniably THE "American&q...Hi all. Copland is undeniably THE "American" composer of the 20th century, and his Third Symphony has become a national treasure. This is all true. Interestingly enough, I am going to say that there is not a single note or gesture in this symphony that makes it "American." We as musicians must not forget that sounds know no country as their home. It is us as emotional beings that associate these sounds with something more. We make the combinations of sound mean something to us. <br /><br />Furthermore, Copland along with his colleagues of American nationality, wrote music that pulls from centuries old traditions that spawned not here, but in Europe. Writing for an orchestra, writing music of a tonal language, four movement symphonies, Italian character indications are all evidence that this music is no native to the U.S., it is an immigrant. Even the folk music that is quoted by early 20th century American composers can be traced back to traditions found in Ireland and England. <br /><br />In no way am I devaluing the tremendous contributions that Copland made in the art music world. Of course his music is important to American culture, and yes there are characteristics such as heavy syncopation, and very open and uncluttered chords that are now associated with American musical dialect. However, this is only one branch or even quite possibly a "snapshot" of American music. American music can also be linked with Jazz, or Rock, or Hip-hop, styles that were born here in the U.S. Even in the classical/art tradition composers in the U.S. today are not emulating Copland; since then it has evolved several times over. <br /><br />This is a fantastic piece, and I love every movement to the last note. Copland is amazing. I don't think of the landscapes,Americana, or houses of mud though. I associate it with America and it's involvement in the war and all the triumphs and tribulations that came from it.<br /><br /><br />Jason GomezJAGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08021013225314301857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4492406927565322047.post-42534167803560164032010-09-23T20:29:03.698-07:002010-09-23T20:29:03.698-07:00Elia Robles
Before I had even gotten to Michael D...Elia Robles<br /><br />Before I had even gotten to Michael Dandy's comment, I had already decided that Copland's piece reminded me of Western movies. You know, cowboys riding the open plains and herding cattle... all that good stuff. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've seen at least one Western that has this symphony on its soundtrack. If that's not enough to drive the "this-symphony-is-American" point home, I don't know what is. To me, at least. And not only that, but for some reason, I associate America with the sound of trumpets. The fanfare intro at the beginning sort of screams patriotism to you. Go America! and all that. I'm not a big fan of brass sounding music, as I am a violinist. Call me biased, but when I DO like the sound of trumpets blaring it's because it reminds me of home. The strings are drowned out by all that patriotism going on in the brass section, though. Copland sure did like his trumpets in this piece.ESRobleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02605338456285391872noreply@blogger.com