DANC 2850 Musical Style and Form for Dancers Spring 2014

Questionnaire #1: Classical Period (music by Mozart; choreography by

Kylian)
Due: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 no later than 1:00 pm
ASSIGNMENT
Music: Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, KV 488, Adagio;
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, KV 467, Andante.
Music Recording url:
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, KV 488, Adagio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=mf711o8jAQA
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, KV 467, Andante:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df-eLzao63I
Music Score url:
Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, KV 488, Adagio: Adagio begins on page 22 (It
goes to page 28). It is listed as andante. (Note: In later scores of this
composition, adagio was changed to andante.)
http://javanese.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/4/48/IMSLP25720-PMLP15393Mozart_Pf_Concerto_23_K488.pdf
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, KV 467, Andante:
http://conquest.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/f/f5/IMSLP25749-PMLP05554Mozart_Pf_Concerto_21_K467_Andante.pdf
Choreography: Petite Mort by Jiri Kylian http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1Yib2GFMssM
Petite Mort
Jir Kylin created this ballet especially for the Salzburg Festival on the second
centenary of Mozart's death. For his work he chose the slow parts of two of Mozart's
most beautiful and popular piano concertos. 'This deliberate choice should not be
seen as a provocation or thoughtlessness - rather as my way to acknowledge the
fact that I am living and working as part of a world where nothing is sacred, where
brutality and arbitrariness are common places. It should convey the idea of two
antique torsos, heads and limbs cut off - evidence of intended mutilation - without
being able to destroy their beauty reflecting the spiritual power of their creator.
(from Netherlands Dance Theatre website: http://www.ndt.nl/en/ballets/23)
REVIEW THE MUSIC SCORES FOR THE ADAGIO (ANDANTE) SECTION OF THE
PIANO CONCERTO NO. 23 IN A MAJOR AND THE ANDANTE SECTION OF THE
PIANO CONCERTO NO. 21 IN C MAJOR. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS (It may help to listen to the music as well):
PIANO CONCERTO NO. 23 IN A MAJOR: ADAGIO (ANDANTE):

This music selection is a piano concerto. What is a piano concerto?

What is the time signature? Is this music in a duple or triple meter?
There is a tempo marking for this selection. What is it? What does this word
mean? Using a metronome, find the tempo marking you would use for this
piece. What is it?
What does the word tutti mean?
How would you describe the texture of this music? Provide a rationale for
your answer.
Are there dynamic markings in this score? If so, what are they?
There are expression/quality markings in the score. They are legato and
pizz. (abbreviation for pizzicato.
What do the terms arco and vel mean?
What instruments play this selection? The names of these instruments
should be in English. Looking at the score, can you tell what instruments tend
to play the melodies in this music?
What does KV mean in the title of the music?

PIANO CONCERTO NO. 21 IN C MAJOR, ANDANTE:

Is this movement in a duple or triple meter?

VIEW THE DANCE PETITE MORT BY JIRI KYLIAN. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS:

The mens dance (first section of the dance) is a prologue or prelude to the
rest of the dance. The music at the beginning of the section is clearly not by
Mozart. Does this sound score set you up for the mens section? Why, or
why not?
Much of the mens section is danced in silence. Discuss the way the
movement of the epee creates the sound score. What other ways do the
dancers create sound?
Characteristics of the Classical Period include emotional restraint, balance
and interest in form. Does the choreography of mens section in silence
reflect these values and compositional practices? Does the dance, in general,
reflect these values and compositional practices? Do the costumes and props
reflect these values and compositional practices?
The piano music starts when the men fall into a plank. The first time you
watched this, were you expecting this pairing of choreography and sound?
Why, or why not?
In the mens choreography prior to running upstage, how does the
choreography relate to the music? Do you see it relate rhythmically, with
pitch, with motives, with measures, with pulses, accents and/or with
cadences?
Choose one duet (from 6:14 to 7:05 or from 8:35 to 9:44). Discuss the
relationship between the choreography and the music. For example, is there

a movement for every sound? Are there movements when there is no sound?
Do the dancers movements reflect the rhythm and/or melody of a specific
instrument? Provide at least one example in your discussion.
At 9:55, the women enter from upstage with unique costuming. Do you think
this costuming reflects the restraint and interest in form and balance of the
classical period? Do you think the costumes represent anything? Provide a
rationale for your answers.