Write a report on a recording of a musical work or a movement of a musical work.
The first ILR is a report on a physical recording (CD, DVD, VHS) of a musical work. The work must be "art music" as defined in class and in the text The Enjoyment of Music. The work may not be chosen from those included in your textbook's Listening Guides. Suggested works come from the following.
Symphonies, operas, chamber music, concert band music, solo vocal or instrumental works.
To find works of this nature, look in the "classical" section of the CD collection in your local library. DVD's and VHS's are usually shelved according to "opera", "chamber music", etc. The librarian or the catalog on computer will be able to assist you in finding Dewey Decimal numbers for works of art music. As a starting point, music is cataloged in the 780's.
As you listen to your chosen work, take notes. Plan to listen to it at least twice. This will give you a clearer picture of the organization of the work, compositional elements used by the composer, and a fair idea of the work's overall impact. To be"fair" to the work, never evaluate it on the basis of one hearing.
SETTING UP YOUR REPORT
Your report should include, but need not be limited to, the following information.
I. A short introductory paragraph including:
A. The composer and name of the work.
B. The historical style period of the work, and the composer's birth/death dates.
C. The type of work. (Symphony, concerto, brass quintet, etc.)
II. A description of the work. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SECTION OF YOUR REPORT AND IS WEIGHTED THE MOST HEAVILY.
A. Beginning
1. Dynamics, tempo, instruments/voices, ranges
2. Was there an opening theme? How was it stated?
B. Development
1. What kind of form is evident in this work?
2. How did the composer use repetition, contrast, or variation?
3. How did the composer bring the work to a satisfying end?
III. Conclusion
What did you think of this work? This composer, based on this work? Would you check out another recording by him/her? Did you enjoy this style period?