Muse 121 College Essay Example

with life's basic essence and enriches our lives by distinguishing it.

The piano, despite its considerable size and lack of portability, is deeply appreciated in the music world for its extensive range of keys, octaves, and notes. This variety allows for a broad spectrum of emotional expression and musical creativity. It was indisputably the most prominent instrument of the 19th century. Nowadays, other instruments such as the violin exhibit comparable intricacy even though they are smaller in size and produce higher pitched sounds. The violin family also encompasses instruments like viola, cello, and double bass.

Many advancements in instruments have challenged the dominance of the piano. The piece Erlking is considered through-composed, with ever-changing accompaniment throughout. Through-composed, a musical term, can have different meanings depending on the context, such as non-repetitive music, music uninterrupted by dialogue, or music composed in linear order [1]. This term is also used in opera and musical theater to indicate the amount of music. Therefore, Erlking can be seen as a mini-opera.

The text describes three characters in a musical piece: Erlking, Child, and Father. Erlking exhibits two distinct styles. One style is disjunct, which creates a childish melody to relate to the child. This style includes a high pitch, similar to the child's pitch, and a simple rhythm to display kindness. The other style is more forceful and angry. The Child also uses a high pitch and frequently repeats lines, such as "my father, my father," which highlights its main characteristic. The pitch rises with each repetition, symbolizing the growing anxiety of the child.

The child's screams eventually dwindle to an almost whisper, suggesting their

strength is depleting. The song begins with basic rhythms, but they grow more complex as the father's tone deepens. As his concern for his son grows, the father's voice rises toward the end of the piece. Additionally, a change in key from G minor to C minor amplifies feelings of tension. [2] 2. Similarly, consider Beethoven's "Symphony #5," first movement - what makes its power stand out? Note that it isn't just about volume increase. How does this compare to Haydn's Symphony we discussed earlier? Composed in C minor, Beethoven’s Symphony 5 demonstrates mastery over sonata form throughout its initial movement. Using a brief motif (three short notes followed by one long), he creates unity within the composition. This theme is expanded through imitation and sequences that overlap rhythmically creating an interconnected melody.

In the wake of a brief yet potent bridge showcased in a vigorous and energetic fashion, the piece's initial movement poses questions to the conventional sonata form. Contrarily, it commences with two striking fortissimo expressions that incorporate the renowned motif, seizing the audience's interest. This four-note motif is counted amongst western music's most celebrated. Furthermore, Beethoven adheres to the time-honored sonata format inherited from his classic forerunner Haydn in this first movement. Consequently, it can be inferred that they hold some similarities.

References used: [1] Webster, James (2004). Haydn's 'Farewell' Symphony and the Concept of Classical Style: Continuous Composition and Cyclic Unification in his Instrumental Music, p. 7. Cambridge Studies in Music Theory and Analysis. [2] Machlis, Joseph and Forney, Kristine. "Schubert and the Lied" The Pleasure of Music: A Guide to Insightful Listening. 9th Ed. W.W Norton & Company:

2003.