Author Archives: JERRY CHEUNG

Summary of Activity on this Site

Number of Posts: 2
Number of Comments: 3

Preview- Janacek, Mozart, and Schumann at Carnegie Hall (4/10)

Pieces:

• MOZART Piano Concerto No. 13 in C Major, K. 415
  
• JANÁCEK Concertino for Piano and Chamber Ensemble
• SCHUMANN Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44

Venue:

• Zankel Hall, Manhattan, NY
  

Performers:

• Jonathan Biss, Piano
  
• Elias String Quartet: Sara Bitlloch, Violin, Donald Grant, Violin, Martin Saving, Viola, and Marie Bitlloch, Cello
• Carol McGonnell, Clarinet
• Eric Reed, Horn
• Brad Balliett, Bassoon

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.13 in C major consists of three movements: allegro, andante, and allegro. The first movement starts with a burst of energy. Although it begins in piano with the violins and violas and basses, the orchestra join in shortly after with a fanfare theme signaling its dominant presence. The second movement is more of a lyrical melody with focus on a ternary form. The last movement incorporates many musical techniques that extend the finale. It contains an adagio, repetition of themes for reinforcement, and even a recapitulation. Eventually it ends, and does so in a way that shocks the audience. “When the audience demanded the final rondo by way of an encore, he surprised everyone by offering them a free improvisation that was loudly applauded. the emperor, too, remained to the end, not leaving his box until Mozart had left the platform” (Albert 713).

Janacek’s Concertino for Piano and Chamber Ensemble was composed in the spring of 1925. This piece is separated into multiple movements with each one representing a very specific aspect. Movement 1 suggests the setting, spring, and the introduction of a hedgehog. Movement 2 reveal a squirrel running and jumping from tree to tree. It is a scene of happy playful spring animals. Movement 3 introduces an owl. The last movement combines all the animals together and features a climatic theme (Zemanova 108-110).

Schumann was one of the first few composers to successfully experiment with the piano combined with the string quartet. Piano Quintet in E- Flat Major, Op. 44 utilizes the brilliance of the two groups, piano and string quintet.  The piece is in 4 movements and quickly establish the creativity and potential of the two groups.

Bibliography

Albert, Herman. “Engagement and Marriage.” In W.A. Mozart. Edited by Cliff Eisen. 713. Yale University: Yale University Press, 2007.

Chissell, Joan. Schumann Piano Music. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1972

Zemanova, Mirka. “Concertino.” In Janacek’s Uncollected Essays on Music. Edited by Mirka Zemanova. 108-110. Great Britain: Marion Boyars Publisher, 1989.

Percy Grainger- “Molly on the Shore”

This song was written by Percy for his mother’s birthday. Therefore, is is joyful, happy, and celebratory. The tempo is allegro with a key of A flat major. This particular piece is played by a string orchestra (no woodwinds or percussion). I picked this song because it consisted of many elements, most of which our class has learned. It starts off with a viola solo with the accompaniment of cellos, violins, and bass playing using pizzicato. Then at second 40 (measure 19), the cellos and basses play the melody for probably 10 seconds. However, at second 1:04 (measure 36) the entire orchestra joins in with no primary focus on any particular instrument. This is played loud (fortissimo)  and with a very interesting articulation because you can hear the notes being played slurred at some points, while staccato from the cellos and basses signal the down beat. This contrast of articulation and dynamics and many changes of form made me choose this piece. Another thing I want to add would be the use of dynamics. You can clearly hear the music being played loud (forte) and also very low (piano). However, if you have a good ear, you can also the gradual change of it, crescendo and decrescendo (4:28-4:39). In addition to the various levels of dynamics, this piece was played by a school orchestra, kids at the ages very similar to our class; yet, their intonation is spot on, almost perfect. I would like to conclude this my commenting on the ending. Before the short abrupt fortissimo pizzicato ending which I find brilliant, there is a pause. The significance of this pause is to make the audience believe the song is over, hence the use of decrescendo; however, a measure later, there is a loud, strong D note that really shocks the audience. Not only does this piece sound nice, it also seems really fun to play with the changing back and forth of bow and pizzicato, constant change in dynamics and articulation, and compilation of various forms.

Comments:

"Your use of musical elements were in its simplest form. Yes, you mentioned all of them, but with very little detail and little regard to the song itself. Although you provided times in the music when the song increases in speed, the times listed were not accurate. What you were referring to was not the tempo increasing, but rather the frequency of the underlying beat. On the times you listed, the notes were simply increased or decreased in frequency, the overall tempo was fairly the same. With that in mind, the rest your analysis was pretty accurate although, you could have explained them with further detail in relation with the music. It is one thing to say, “the texture of the song is homophonic as it has one main melody and accompaniment”, but another if you explained its effect. Overall, you gave a pretty good analysis that was very brief and should be considered a summary or an abstract."
posted on Mar 1, 2013, on the post Bon Iver – Calgary

"Your analysis on the song was thoroughly enjoyable in the sense that it was very informative. Your use of providing examples by listing the time in the music was very helpful and showed a level of analysis that showed your expertise. Your use of certain musical elements were also noted and explained with much detail. There isn’t much room left for me to critique for the fact that this analysis is really solid and fulfills its purpose. Not only did you mention the elements with an example listed, you also explained its effect on the music. Your interpretation and analysis of the song showed be a clear example of what to do for this assignment because there is not a single mistake or detail left out that I could mention. It was very well done and much thought was put into it, sensational job."
posted on Mar 1, 2013, on the post Rush: Cygnus X-1 Book 2

"Your analysis of the genre dubstep was informative. You focused on some basic background information as well as general details such as instruments used, origin, use of texture. All those were explained clearly and with relation to the music. However, it would have been overall more informative if you focused on other musical elements such as tempo and other ones. It seems you focused primarily on the genre of dubstep rather than the music you chose. You did give some examples of instruments used such as drum kits, string/violin, and heavy bass. However, you did not mention its effect; you did say how they contributed and created the piece, but not the effect on the listener. Overall, this analysis was fairly good with lots of information, but lacked specifics with could have been elaborated."
posted on Mar 1, 2013, on the post Digital Mystikz- Anti War Dub