Author Archives: Nick Seitz

Summary of Activity on this Site


Number of Posts: 2
Number of Comments: 3

About Nick Seitz

NO-CARD

Preview – Boston Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall (April 5th)

Program:

Selections from Götterdämmerung
-Dawn
-Siegfried’s Rhine Journey
-Siegfried’s Death and Funeral March

  • Overture to Tannhäuser
  • “Ich sah das Kind” from Parsifal
  • Prelude to Act I of Lohengrin
  • Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde

Performers:

  • Boston Symphony Orchestra
  • Daniele Gatti – Conductor
  • Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano

Venue: Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall

Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCLL26TO6KA

PII

Reading parts of the novel I checked out, I am led to believe that the core influence on his composure of different musical pieces was his interest in stories written by Homer, mythological pieces, and the works of Shakespeare, which then evolved into poetical and musical composition.

I find it particularly interesting how “Tristan und Isolde” came about. To make a long story short, it came about after Wagner had half written “Siegfried” when Wagner had gone through stages of depression because he had felt the works he had been writing would never be produced by the end of his life. “He hungered for a closer, an active connection with the stage, and he needed money, and so he regretfully laid aside the “Ring” scores and set to work on the poem of “Tristan und Isolde” (Henderson).This also kind of reminds me of other composers. If I remember correctly, I believe I heard in class that other composers had felt the same way about their works.
It is said the works of Parisfal was occupying the mind of Wagner in the year of 1857, and it was not completed until 1877. “Wagner told me that in the fifties, when in Zurich, he took possession of a charming new house, and that inspired by the beautiful spring weather, he wrote out the sketch that very day of the Good Friday music.” (Henderson). After coming across this excerpt, it instantly reminded me of Vivaldi’s “Spring” movement.
PS– The italics don’t seem to want to go away! Silly technology…
Reference:

Henderson, William. Richard Wagner His Life and His Dreams. New York: AMS Press Inc., 1923.

 

Nick Seitz – Nas “Memory Lane” Element Entry

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXBFG2vsyCM

Rhythm – After listening to the song, we can hear that the song is written in duple meter with 2 beats per measure. Given that this is a song that you may be able to steadily bop your head to, I believe it would be safe to say the song has an andante tempo.

Melody – The song never really reaches a point to where it really sounds joyful and cheery, rather it sounds a little more on the calm and somber side. That being said, I would say the song is written in a minor scale.

Harmony –  From the beginning, the instrumentation seems to sound like an organ along with a bass guitar, and after 10 seconds in, the percussion comes in as well to accompany the main melody. This would also determine the song to have a homophonic texture. In each one of the choruses (1:28, 2:58), there also comes a scratch from a DJ to accompany as well. Nas certainly does not vary in his dynamics in this song. He stays right in between of being loud and quiet.

Form – Not completely sure, however, with an educated guess, I would say the song is written in ternary form. Part A is repeated almost all throughout the song except, I believe, in the chorus, which would make up part B, and then goes back to A.

Timbre – To me the music sounds almost like a grimy, but at the same time, calming.



Comments:

"Not a bad evaluation of the song, however I think the song is in duple meter rather than triple meter."
posted on Mar 1, 2013, on the post kanye west – “Runaway.”

"In response to George's comment about questioning whether the song was duple or triple. I agree with you that the song is in duple meter!"
posted on Feb 22, 2013, on the post SHAKIRA- “Hips Don’t Lie” ft Wyclef Jean

"I've heard this song before, but never knew what the name of it was. I guess you could also say the song has calming and happy timbre."
posted on Feb 22, 2013, on the post Sister Nancy – “Bam Bam”