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Introduction to Music

Introduction to Music. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Opera problems—Mozart solutions Don Giovanni Study thoughts. Mozart. Incomparable child prodigy Performing at 4 Composing at 8 Prolific composer—all genres, e.g.: Operas 41 symphonies Concertos for piano, strings, winds (improved)

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Introduction to Music

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  1. Introduction to Music Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Opera problems—Mozart solutions Don Giovanni Study thoughts

  2. Mozart • Incomparable child prodigy • Performing at 4 • Composing at 8 • Prolific composer—all genres, e.g.: • Operas • 41 symphonies • Concertos for piano, strings, winds (improved) • Sonatas, serenades, masses • Genius; life possibly complicated by shortage of good judgment

  3. Opera problems : Mozart’s solutions: Mozart & Opera 1. “stock”characters characters have real, believable personalities 2. plots about mythology, gods, aristocracy plots about real-life middle class characters continuous flowarias and recitatives blended together 3. “stop & go” (aria) (recit.) 4. not cohesive, story lines interrupted—often by non-story material orchestration, harmony, melody, style--all contribute to story-telling, setting mood, & adding depth to characters; all else eliminated!

  4. Mozart Don Giovanni, Act I Italian comic opera (actually, “drama giocosa”) I = many recitatives are accompanied by orchestra ensembles: characters retain I.D.s and personalities several actions, moods, messages presented simultaneously opera provides social commentary Listening Summary Connect Kamien

  5. How does Mozart use the voices, instruments, and qualities of the music to tell the story in each of the following excerpts? p. 183--“Waiting around” music: Notte e giornofaticar… What elements of the music project elapsing time and Leporello’s pacing and/or impatience? pp. 183,4-- ensemble of Donna Anna, Don Giovanni, Leporello: Non sperar, se non m’uccidi… What message and mood does each character project? (Use the text and/or ConnectKamien.) p. 184—Commandant enters: Lasciala, indegno!... What characteristics of his voice and/or the music communicate his authority and advanced age? p. 185--Dueling music: What sounds suggest the slashing of swords in a fight? What musical device indicates the duel has stopped suddenly (with the Commandant being run through)? p. 185--ensemble of mortally wounded Commandant, Don Giovanni, Leporello: Ah soccorso! Son tradito!... What message does each character project? p. 186—Recitative: near-conversation quality, little melody, basso continuo accompaniment Don Giovanni: What do you hear?

  6. Don Giovanni readingsClick on the hypertext and read these 3 articles NY Metropolitan Opera Synopsis A modern day Don Giovanni productiondescribing the complex and demanding world of today’s opera production Lorenzo da Ponte bio What were da Ponte’s special abilities and skills? What is his connection with Mozart? What was his connection with the opera, Don Giovanni?

  7. Don Giovanni--Deep thots Movies TV Newspapers Magazines Novels Hollywood “stars” Pop culture icons • Think of how today’s culture and its expressionstreat elements like those in Don Giovanni as“mere entertainment.” • Womanizing • Seduction, rape • Murder • Contempt for: absolutes of right and wrong authority (especially religious/moral) notion of wrong or evil being punished • Was the opera, Don Giovanni ahead of its time?? Maybe a bit an anomalous misrepresentation of culture’s tastes? Probably NOT

  8. Know about Mozart: • his wunderkind early life • his problems w/ patronage • his development of opera

  9. Compare/Contrast Baroque with Classical • Society’s religiosity/secularity • Aristocracy’s wealth and power • Role of peasantry • Geographical centers of artistic development • Music’s most important function in society

  10. Explain... • patronage--its relationship with and benefits/problems for • Haydn • Mozart • Beethoven • why the French Revolution, general European turmoil, and industrialization led to the demise of patronage. • why less complex music is favored in classical culture.

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