Let's begin with the end of class. I obviously made some students irritated by trashing the music of Carl Stamitz. Yes, at first hearing the music is energetic, engaging, and full of charm and life with melodic substance and rhythms that propel the idiomatic instrumental writing. Yet over time we find stagnant harmonic motion, repetition of the phrase, predictable cadences, and a general lack of originality. The Mannheim school of orchestral playing is significant for its advances in instrumental music but does not hold up as music for all time. Unlike the music of Mozart and much of Haydn, music from the Mannheim school has not stood the test of time. Does this mean we should reject it outright? Of course not, yet it is worth understanding some of the elements that seem to exist for great musical art.
Keep in mind however, that this is merely my own view which tends to lean toward a desire for rich harmony and creative originality. You may and you should develop your own criteria for musical beauty, artistry, and expression. I would just urge you to be able to support your own opinions!
Thanks to Alex for the report on the music of Aaron Copland. We listened to several great works of Copland covering the gamut of his earlier jazz influenced music all the way to recent experiments in serialism. Known for his great American ballets and his film scores, it was intriguing to listen to an interview of Copland by Studs Terkel. Copland seemed to want recognition for the totality of his music rather than for one or two "American" works. His genius found great avenues in his chamber music, vocal music, as well as his stunning orchestral works.
Using open sounds, mixed meter, hints of polytonality, strident angular expressions, and extremes of range and dynamics, Copland's distinct language set the stage for other composers attempting to write American music. But Copland is considered the Master and his music continues to reach deep, communicating on several levels and withstanding the test of time. Certainly one of the greatest American composers, I believe we will continue to explore the vast world of Aaron Copland's output.
What is your favorite Copland piece? Why? Mine is probably The Red Pony due to its expansive breadth of sound and blend of dark and light which matches the wonderful film.
Oh and by the way, I expect to read FIVE comments to this posting, not four or three or two or one, FIVE.
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I would have to say this task was difficult in finding my favorite Aaron Copland piece. I discovered this weekend, through listening, that I tend to really like several excerpts from his pieces rather than entire works. This is really quite sad.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say it's Appalachian Spring. There's something quite mystical about Appalachian Spring that captivates me, even though it was orchestrated for a smaller ensemble than Rodeo. I especially enjoy the expansion of the Simple Gifts theme through depth in bass, development in complex rhythms, tempo changes, just marvelous orchestration in this piece.
I greatly enjoy Rodeo and El Salon Mexico, but they just lack some of the lyricism that I enjoy in Appalachian Spring.
He also wrote a great amount of decent vocal music. ;)
Since I have not heard a great deal of Copland's works I decided to listen to a few that I had not heard before. Although I do like his famous orchestral works I was really moved by a piece called "The Promise of Living".
ReplyDeleteI will not say it is my absolute favorite work by Copland, but it is definitely one of them.
I would have to say that Fanfare for the Common Man is my personal favorite. It's probably the brass player in me saying, "Let me play now!" I know that it is a very commonly played piece, but the harmonics are so expansive and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think I have to listen to more Copland before making that decision.
ReplyDeletei guess i make five......?
ReplyDeleteI don't remember what I said semesters ago, but currently my favorite COPeLanD piece is the cliche' Appalachian Spring.
ReplyDeleteNot the Ballet but the version arranged for orchestra. I really like the 2nd lyrical section close to the middle. In this clip, it's at the timestamp 6:38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9mrXagbva8
I also really enjoy the choraleish coda section after the shaker theme that everyone, with two legs at least, could riverdance to. The closeness and low register of all the intruments, to me, is a perfect ending to all that came before. It's very meditative, if ever I was to do such a thing.
THE END
My favorite piece by Copland is the Promise of Living. The voice parts are extremely well written and the orchestra is beautiful. Yes I have sang this before and I am not afraid to admit that that is one of the main reasons I love it so much. He paid such particular detail in the voice parts in which none of them go lower than is comfortable for the singers. I think the lowest note for Tenors is a D and it goes up to the Bb above the staff. It is just such an awesome piece.
ReplyDelete