Introduction to Music

1
Introduction to Music

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Opera problemsMozart solutions
• Don Giovanni
• Study thoughts

2
Mozart

• Incomparable child prodigy
• Performing at 4
• Composing at 8
• Prolific composerall genres, e.g.
• Operas
• 41 symphonies
• Concertos for piano, strings, winds (improved)
• Sonatas, serenades, masses
• Unusual (unique?) method of composing

3
Mozart Opera

• Opera problems Mozarts solutions

1. stockcharacters
4
Mozart Opera

• Opera problems Mozarts solutions

1. stockcharacters
characters have real, believable personalities
2. plots about mythology, gods, aristocracy
plots about real-life middle class characters
continuous flowarias and recitatives blended
together
3. stop go (aria) (recit.)
4. not cohesive
style, orchestration, harmony, melody--all
contribute to setting mood adding depth to
characters
5
Log

• Mozart
• Don Giovanni, Act I
• Italian comic opera (actually, drama giocosa)
• I
• many recitatives are accompanied by orchestra
• ensembles
• characters retain I.D.s and personalities
• several actions, moods, messages presented
  simultaneously

CD 3Tks 1-4
6
Don Giovanni What do you hear?

• How does Mozart use the voices, instruments, and
  qualities of the music to tell the story in each
  of the following excerpts?
• p. 183--Waiting around music Notte e giorno
  faticar
• What elements of the music project elapsing time
  and Leporellos pacing and/or impatience?
• pp. 183,4-- ensemble of Donna Anna, Don Giovanni,
  Leporello Non sperar, se non muccidi
• What message and mood does each character
  project?
• p. 184Commandant enters Lasciala, indegno!...
• What characteristics of his voice and/or the
  music communicate his authority and advanced age?
• p. 185--Dueling music
• What sounds suggest the slashing of swords in a
  fight?
• What musical device indicates the duel has
  stopped suddenly (with the Commandant being run
  through)?
• p. 185--ensemble of mortally wounded Commandant,
  Don Giovanni, Leporello Ah soccorso! Son
  tradito!...
• What message does each character project?
• p. 186Recitative near-conversation quality,
  little melody, basso continuo accompaniment

CD 3Tks 1-4
7
Don Giovanni readingsClick on the hypertext and
read these 3 articles
NY Metropolitan Opera Synopsis
A modern day Don Giovanni productiondescribing
the complex and demanding world of todays opera
production
Lorenzo da Ponte bio What were da Pontes skills
and special abilities? What is his connection
with Mozart? What was his connection with the
opera, Don Giovanni?
8
Don Giovanni--Deep thots

• Think of how todays culture and its
  expressionstreat elements like those in Don
  Giovanni asmere entertainment.
• Rape
• Womanizing
• Seduction
• Murder
• Contempt for
• absolutes of right and wrong
• authority (especially religious/moral)
• notion of wrong or evil being punished
• Was the opera, Don Giovanni
• ahead of its time?? Probably
• an anomalous misrepresentation of culture and
  society Probably NOT

Movies TV Newspapers Magazines Novels Hollywood
stars Pop culture icons
9
Know about Mozart

• his wunderkind early life and family problems
  that affected his adulthood
• his problems w/ patronage
• his intellect and unique method of composing
• his development of opera

10
Compare/Contrast Baroque with Classical

• Societys religiosity/secularity
• Aristocracys wealth and power
• Role of peasantry
• Geographical centers of artistic development
• Musics most important function in society

11
Explain...

• patronage--its relationship with and
  benefits/problems for
• Haydn
• Mozart
• Beethoven
• why the French Revolution, general European
  turmoil, and industrialization led to the demise
  of patronage.
• why less complex music is favored in classical
  culture.