Wednesday 18 February 2015

Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prelude - J.S. Bach

I first heard this piece for solo cello the other day whilst watching the film 'If I Stay' and thought that it was absolutely beautiful!!

Here is the link that I used (Spotify): János Starker – Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude
The score that I used can be found on IMSLP.

Analysis:

This piece is an exploration of arpeggio chords around the tonic note. The image below is of the first 3 bars of the piece. As you can see from the image below, the piece has a key signature of G major, and is written in 4/4 time. I also think that there is the use of alberti bass (as highlighted) on the piece. This is when the notes are played as: 'low-high-mid-high'.

The first measure outlines a G major chord.  However, he immediately goes to outlining a C (G) major chord then a D dominant seventh chord, followed by a G major chord again. Also, he used a G pedal tone through these first four measures.  This helps to establish the tonality to center around G and show the musicians as well as audience that this piece is in this key.

Bach chose to create an effect where through the use of pedal tones, and implied accents, he is able to use only notes he wants as the melody while the notes surrounding create the harmony. 

Friday 13 February 2015

Masterpiece - The Kings Singers

Analysis of the piece based on how they treated the techniques commonly used by the mentioned composers: Renaissance / Classical / 20th Century / Baroque / Medieval / Romantic

Johann Sebastian Bach
Fugal
Melisma
Tonality
Imitation
Counter-melody
Stretto
Augmentation
Pedal
Decorated Suspension

George Frederic Handel
Fanfare
Tutti
Homophony
Terraced dynamics
Irregular phrasing
Dotted rhythms
Polyphony

W.A. Mozart
Appogiatura
Alberti Bass
Regular phrases
Stepwise melody
Conjunct motion
Arch contour
Melody dominated homophony
Chromatic gestures
Contrast and interest

Ludwig Van Beethoven
Dotted rhythm
Minor tonality
Rubato
Fermata
Expressive markings
Huge dynmaic contrast
Sfrozando
Accents
Accelerando

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartoldy
Canatbile
Triplet
2 against 3
More use of dissonance

Johann Strauss
Waltz (3/4 time)

Richard Wagner
Total art
Very dramatic
Huge orchestra
Fanfare

Claude Debussy
Modal
Impressionism
Whole tone scale
Parallel harmony
Cross over of popular music and other world music

Stockhausen
Experimental electronic composer
1950's
Pioneer of electronica

William Byrd
Decorated suspension
Renaissance
Mass
Motet
Secular songs
Lute songs
Modal