GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Minuet and Trio

French country dance of the baroque period, graceful, simple triple meter (3/4), moderate tempo. Form: Individually Binary/Rounded Binary. Overall Ternary Compositions: Chamber music, Symphonies and Sonatas Example: Beethoven: Piano Sonata Op.2 No.1 in F minor: 3rd Movement Haydn Symphony No.104 in D Major (The London) Bach French Suite No.6 in E major

Scherzo
Haydn wrote minuets which are very close to scherzi in tone and was responsible for increasing their tempo, but it was Beethoven and Schubert who first used the form widely, with Beethoven in particular turning the polite rhythm of the minuet into a much more intense and sometimes even savage dance. Beethoven Piano Sonata Op.2 No.2 in A major Chopin 4 Scherzo Op.20 Mendelssohn Scherzo in Midsummer Nights Dream Beethoven Symphony No.9 Haydns String Quartet No.32 in C major Movement II

Air with Variations

Simply tune, melody or theme in binary form. Independent piece or a movement in string quartet, symphony etc Piano: Mozart- Sonata in A K331 1st movement

Beethoven- Symphony No.3 (Eroica) Final Movement Bach Goldberg Variations Handel Harmonious Blacksmith (Suite No.5 in E Major) Haydn Emperor string quartet Op.76, no.3

Recitative
Emphasis on text. Melody, rhythm and time are largely disregarded in order to convey and imitate the natural inflections of speech. Secco: Minimal Accompaniment (Harpsichord/organ and plucked string instrument (Lute)), Occasional chords to support the pitch and carry forward the harmony and modulations, To rapidly convey large passages of dialogue E Susanna Non Vein - Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) Behold, a virgin shall conceive - Messiah (Handel)

Accompagnato: Used in more dramatic situations, Full orchestral accompaniment emphasised rapid changes of emotion in the dialogue. Don Ottavio, son morta - Don Giovanni (Mozart) Comfort ye, my people Messiah (Handel)

Aria
Repeated Lyrics, Focus on melody, Orchestral ritornello (short introduction of a melodic passage), Virtuosity and elaborate ornamentation, Da Capo Aria (ABA) Lengthy solo vocal piece Operas: Where eer you walk (Semele by Handel) - Ternary (Da Capo Aria) Dalla Sua Pac (Don Giovanni by Mozart) - FORM? Porgi Amor (The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart) FORM? Oratarios:

He Shall Feed his flock ( Messiah by Handel) - Binary Every Valley shall be exalted (Messiah by Handel) FORM?

Orchestral Instruments
Flute
Physical Description: Cylindrical, Side blown through a mouth-hole: Three sections are detachable and slot into each other. Material: Wood, Ebonite or Silver Tonal Quality: Ranges from langourous in low register to clear and brilliant at top; produces a pure but less penetrating sound than the other wind instruments. Extremely agile. Overblowing: Adjusting embouchure and wind pressure, produce a harmonic Flutter Tonguing: Invented by Richard Strauss. A technique developed to produce a buzzing sound by rolling the tongue. Used for fast chromatic passages. Range: C1 C4 Other: Mechanisms (the system of rods and levers controlling the length of the air channel) was invented by Theobald Boehm Example: Debussys Tone Poem - Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun Tchaikovskys Nut Craker Suite

Oboe
Physical Description: Conical, Double-reed instrument, End blown, Speaker Key Overblow Interval: Octave Tonal Quality: Can range from nasal and plaintive to charming. Can even be playful. Good at light staccato and smooth cantabile. Range: Bb G3 Example: Prokoiev Peter and the Wolf (The Ducks Theme)

Clarinet
Physical Description: Cylindrical, Single-reed, End blown Overblow Interval: Twelfth Transposing: B flat one tone. A Minor 3rd. Tonal Quality: Can range from creamy and warm to shrill and menacing. Range: E(low) C4 [Written Range] Other: Two registers Chalumeau to the break (about 3rd line B), and Clarino above that. Clarinet in A - music in sharp keys; Clarinet in Bb Music in flat keys Example: Shostakovich Symphony No.9: II Moderato (Wistful Melody)

Bassoon
Physical Description: Conical, Double-reed, End blown, Speaker Key, Crook (Metal tube that attaches the reed) Overblow Interval: Octave Tonal Quality: Thick , reedy, rich and sonorous in lower register. Expressive in middle and plaintive at top. Can be mournful, hollow or even skittish in upper register. Range: Bb(low bass) High G on the Tenor Clef High D ; OR, D2 in Treble Other: Due to its great length, it is doubled back on itself. System of rods and levers designed by Heckel. Example: Paul Dukas The Sorcerers Apprentice (Bassoon has a comic sound) Prokoiev Peter and the Wolf (Grandfathers Theme)

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

1.

Give examples of Recitative and aria by Mozart and Handel In succession: Recitative Accompagnato, Comfort ye, my people is followed by the aria, Every Valley Shall be Exalted Recitative Accompagnato Don Ottavio, Son Morta and follows by the aria Or Sai Chi Lonore Aria: Porgi Amour by Mozart The Marriage of Figaro. Every valley shall be exalted by Handel Messiah. Dalla Sua Pac by Mozart Don Giovanni. Where evr you walk by Handel Semele

Recitative: Don Ottavio, Son Morta by Mozart Don Giovanni. Behold a Virgin shall conceive by Handel Messiah. Comfort Ye, My people by Handel Messiah

2.

Compare and contrast the Clarinet and Bassoon The clarinet is an end-blown, cylindrical shaped instrument which uses a single reed and requires transposition. Its music it notated on the treble stave and has a warm and creamy low register(chalumeau) ranging up to a shrill and menacing upper register (clarino) by use of a speaker key. This speaker key, is a mechanism shared by the bassoon to produce harmonic intervals. The clarinet has an overblown interval of a twelfth while the bassoon has an interval of an octave.

In contrast, the bassoon is a conical shaped, end-blown instrument which uses a double reed. Although it does not require transposition, it differs further from the clarinet by employing the bass and tenor clef (C clef). Its tonal quality is thick, reedy and quite serious in the lower register ranging to skittish in the upper register.

3.

Give example of Scherzo Mendelssohn Scherzo from Midsummer Nights dream Beethoven Piano Sonata in A major Op.2 No.2 Chopin Four Scherzo for Piano Op20

Haydn Symphony No.104 (The London)

4.

What characteristics of the clarinet distinguish is from other woodwinds? The clarinet is the only instrument form the family which requires transposition. Unlike the oboe or bassoon, it requires only a single cane reed and is cylindrical in shape (however flute is also of this shape). Also, the clarinet is the only instrument to have an overblow interval of a twelfth.

5.

Examples of Recitative Secco Behold, a virgin shall conceive by handel Messiah E Susanna Non Vein by Mozart- The Marriage of Figaro

6.

How did the Trio get its name? Traditionally, a minuet would be contrasted by a second minuet scored only for three instruments.

7.

Where would you expect to find a minuet and trio in a classical symphony? Third movement of a four movement work, or, second movement of a three movement work.

8.

How does Scherzo differ in character from a minuet? It is more lively, possessing vigorous rhythms and a quick tempo. The literal translation is joke, which helps define the essential character and spirit of the piece.

9.

How would you describe the speed and rhythm of a minuet? The minuet is a graceful stylised dance of French origins. It employs a simple triple meter (3/4) and moderate tempo

10.

Name two composers of independent scherzi? Chopin Four Scherzi Op.20 Brahms - Scherzo in E-flat minor Op.4

11.

Give 3 adjectives to describe the character of a scherzo? Playful, light-hearted, quick-paced, humorous.

12.

What is meant by the term harmonic variations? The theme or air has been modified by altering the harmonies under the melody.

13.

Give three examples of Air with Variations? Handel- The Harmonious Blacksmith (Suite in No.5 E major) Britten- Young People Guide to the Orchestra (On a theme of Purcell) Bach - Goldberg Variations Beethoven 32 Variation in C minor Mozart Piano Sonata in A Major K331, 1st movement.

14.

Mention three ways in which the scherzo developed as compared with its origin?

Tempo developed, quickening from the minuets graceful flow. Substituted for the minuet and trio in larger works (Symphonies, String Quartets, Sonatas) usually as the third movement, sometimes the second. During the romantic period, the character of the piece became less restricted; broadening from playful and fairylike (Mendelssohn), full of rough energy (Brahms) and intense and sudden mood changes (Chopin). Beethoven developed the polite rhythm into a more intense even savage form. Developed into a stand alone piece. Haydn, credited with the initial development of the form, made use of the Scherzo only as a substitute movement for his string quartets

15.

Name two of the earliest composers of Air with Variations and in which century did they live? Handel The Harmonious Blacksmith (Suite No.5 in E Major) Bach- Goldberg Variations

Both were composers of the Baroque Era.

16.

What is a speaker key? A key which allows an extra hole to be opened, producing a harmonic; often called the overblowing interval.

17.

What is the crook of a bassoon? The crook is a curved metal pipe which holds the reed. It is positioned and shaped as to overcome handling issues of the large instrument.

18.

The Flute overblows an octave.

19.

What is the difference between the reeds of an oboe and the clarinet? The Oboe uses a double reed, while clarinet only uses a single reed. Both are made from specifically prepared cane. The oboes double reed is bound and easily fits into the slot. While the clarinets single reed and is clamped to the mouthpiece. *Clarinet doesn't use vibrato but oboe does.

20.

How does the embouchure differ between the two instruments?

The oboe and bassoon have similar embouchures, the instruments are played with the upper and lower lips pulled back over the teeth to form a cushion for the reed. The more cushion the better the sound. Mouthpiece is placed in the centre of the mouth. Bottom lip curves back and upper teeth semi- rest on the top of the beak, but do not bite it.

21.

How is the tone of the flute produced? The flute is a side blown instrument, the player blows air directly across the mouth hole. The air inside the column begins to vibrate producing natural frequencies. Depending on which keys are depressed, that is the length of the air column, results in tone and pitch. As the flute does not use reeds, it has a pure non-penetrating sound.

22.

What is embouchure? The method of blowing. Adjusting and tightening the lips and breath control to activate the air column.

23.

What different types of instrumentation were used for recitatives in baroque and classical period? Discuss.

24.

Name a set of variations by the following composers: Byrd, Handel, Bach, Beethoven, Britten. Carmans Whistle William Byrd The harmonious Blacksmith (Suite No.5 in E major) Handel Goldberg Variations Bach 32 Variation in C minor Beethoven Young Peoples Guide to the Orchestra Britten

25.

Explain why a symphony clarinet player has two instruments, one in Bb and one in A? The Bb instrument is mainly chosen for flat keys, while the A instrument is chosen for the sharp keys. Eg: A concert key which is written in sharps will elect for the A clarinet.

26.

In the period from Bach to Brahms, what form was most commonly used for air and variations? Air was a short melody or theme which was in binary form. Air with variations was a form much favoured by western composers over the last four centuries.

27.

What is a concord?

Intervals which are self-satisfying: Perfect Concords: Perfect 4th, 5th 8ve and unison Imperfect Concords: Major and Minor 3rds and 6ths.

28.

What is a discord? Does not offer any resolution is sound. Major and minor 2nds and 7ths. All augmented and diminished intervals.

29.

Who is responsible for the development of the scherzo from the minuet? Haydn has been credited with the transition of the minuet to scherzo as a movement to his string quartets. However, Beethoven developed the form to greater depths during the classic period.

30.

Name an Aria by Mozart and Handel? Dalla Sua Pac Don Giovanni (Mozart) Porgi Amour The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) Every Valley shall be exhalted Messiah (Handel)

31.

Which woodwind instrument uses double reeds? Bassoon and Oboe

32.

Name the registers of the clarinet in the correct order. Chalumeau from low E to about the 3rd line B Clarino middle register Altissimo Begins two octaves above middle C

33.

Name and obsolete woodwind instrument. Chalumeau

34.

Where did the oboe descend from? Shawm.