Assignment:
Discussion
Part 1
Tchaikovsky and Person
Please respond to both of the following, using sources under the Explore heading and the textbook as the basis of your response:
Select one (1) composition by Tchaikovsky that you enjoy. Describe the music and subject matter and explain why you enjoy it and why it is still popular today. Passionate nationalism, like Tchaikovsky's for Russia, is a feature of Romantic art, music and late 1800's art. Give an example of modern music (besides national anthems) that is characterized by nationalism.
o Audio of musical compositions on Tchaikovsky webpage, Kennedy Center Website
o Video clip of Tchaikovsky (1812 Overture)
For your person of the week choices are between Emerson and Thoreau, American writers and philosophers (Transcendentalism) and Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, Auguste Renoir or Edward Degas, artists who broke new ground in France with their painting techniques. Look at the pictures and information in our text and online and then choose the one person you feel is most important. Give us some details about your person and a picture to support your decision!
Part 2
Respond the following student:
Discussion
The music I listened to by Tchaikovsky was the "Nutcracker" I must admit I remember this from childhood and was probably the only ballet I ever knew with opera music. It is the most recognizable music today by many Americans, but I will also admit I never really knew what it was about. So I looked up the background story and it is based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. It is about a young girl who was given a nutcracker dressed as a soldier and a night it comes to life and has a real war with mice. She eventually saves the nutcracker who then becomes real and takes her to see the Sugar Plum Fairy. The music is intense in some places and light and airy in others. I enjoyed learning about something I have seen and never knew the meaning of.
The modern song I would chose that nationalism written all over is God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood. This song is very national and sacred at the same time. It inspires nationalism and for it to be blessed by God as well seem to say all that ever needed to be said.
The person of the week for me will have to be Ralph Waldo Emerson. He was known to be a forward thinker and philosopher of his times. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and was Harvard educated. He was a Unitarian minister who helped to create the Transcendental Club. This group believe in the oneness of nature and spirit. All of his poems seems to be about the inner self and how one sees other in nature. My most favorite oem is The Road not Taken. He seemed to be at odds with himself a lot. I just really like most of poetry, especially the short ones. Very deep.