The Analysis of the Emotions During the Private Concert - Assignment Example

The first piece that was listened to was O Viridissima Virga by Hildegard of Bingen. The main part of this is the monotone type melody with no harmony that is used. This is heard by a female voice and carries a continuous melody. The melody emphasized is one which uses one set of tones as the basis and which chants around these, similar to a prayer or chant common for the time. The rhythmic structure in the piece is also kept to a minimum. There are no distinct beats or accents that are heard throughout the piece. Instead, the voice sounds free flowing and continues to move through the melodic line and specific tones to create the main melody. However, the tempo or pace of the song moves at a slower pace. The dynamic level of the piece also is consistent, staying at a medium level so the melody can continue to move in a free like manner. The main concept of this specific piece is a tribute to the Virgin Mary. The techniques that Bingen used were specific to creating this tribute. The concept is one which sounds similar to a prayer or chant used in a church. The main approach that Bingen uses is to takeout rhythmic structure, harmony or other types of melody that would incorporate listening to the music over focusing on the main purpose of the melody. The chant is used to provide a sense of focus to the Virgin Mary as well as within the church, specifically which is done through the lack of complex musical techniques used in the piece. The second piece listened to was Hallelujah from Handel’s Messiah. The piece has two main sections and a transition section that are noted in the piece. The melody is the main way in which these are distinguished. The first melody is one that is based on the Hallelujah theme. This moves at a faster tempo and has a continuous movement with the voices. The piece stays at a moderate to fast 4/4 tempo while it is being sung. The melody is heard between the male and female voices, both which move back and forth in the first melody to emphasize the main hallelujah word. The harmony is heard with the violins and orchestration, as well as the different lines that are in the voices. The second part changes the melody with the voices. The tempo moves at a slower pace and the voices are singing with a specific harmony to emphasize the line about the king of kings. The orchestration follows the main melody lines with harmonies; however, the rhythm among the orchestra and voices are unified. The transition then begins which has one melody line which is repeated between the voices. This begins with the melody line king of kings, which is sung by the women, and lord of lords, which is sung by the men. The melody line goes back and forth with harmony in both the voice and the orchestration. The piece then goes back to the first melody line to finish the piece with the same tempo. The main effect from this piece was one which feels celebratory and which is used to create a specific effect about the “king of kings reigning forever.” The way that the tempo and the rhythm moves allows it to go forward quickly and to feel upbeat. The melody and harmony is in a major key. The pace feels like it is moving faster, specifically because of the contrast in the melody, which moves back and forth between the male and female voices. The support from the orchestra in both harmony structures and with the melody lines following the voice further emphasizes the idea of celebration in the piece. The third piece listened to was Ghanian Drumming with Ewe Atsiagbekor. The drums are divided by two main tones. The first is the lower tone which is louder and keeps a specific accent on the rhythms defined. The second is a higher tone that is emphasized by the cymbals which are consistently played and which have a rhythm that goes against the first set of drums. There are also shakers that are used, specifically which make the rhythms feel like they are staying at a similar pace. The main attribute of this piece is from the changing rhythmic lines that are a part of the drums. At times, this comes from breaks while others note fades of the drums with changing accents that alter the beats. The different structures are then able to create a different type of movement and are significant in changing the line, movement and sound through the drumming. The drumming which is used is a part of the music and creates a specific effect on how one hears the music. The defined rhythms make the music move in a certain way and create a rhythmic structure that drives forward the main points in the music. When hearing the drumming, it makes one feel happier and to have a desire to move to the specific rhythm. Since the drumming is played alone and there are not other melodies, there is also a feeling of the drumming being the melody, which makes one listen to the music differently while enjoying the sounds and the creation of the music in a different manner. Out of all the pieces, the one which is the favorite is the Hallelujah selection by Handel. The complexity of the sounds in the music and the way in which it creates a specific association is one that provides a different and deeper meaning. The association with the music may be associated with my background in Christianity and the personal understanding of the meaning of the song. Beyond this, the orchestration and the complex structure of the melody, harmony and rhythm are significant and allow one to enjoy the music at different levels. After listening to this piece, there is a feeling of peace of mind as well as an understanding that draws one into a different understanding of ideas such as religion. Arresting Moment A song that creates an arresting moment for me is Aqua’s release, Around the World. The arresting moment is with the lyrics of the song and how they fit in with the rest of the music, specifically with the line “I’m realizing that things aren’t what they seem / that’s the riddle of it / that’s the spirit of it / that’s the meaning of life.” The song doesn’t take place in a certain time, which adds onto the meaning, specifically with the associations of being around the world and moving from different scenes. When listening to the meaning, as well as the way that the rhythm works through the techno beat and fast pace, it is able to allow one to feel energized and as though there are different desires that can be fulfilled. The idea of living life to the fullest is the main feeling which takes place. There isn’t another person with you and senses aren’t stimulated other than the sounds; however, the movement and meaning of the song takes one to ideas about thinking of the general meaning of life both now and in the future. This song relates to the story of the man who falls off the cliff and contemplates the flower bush because of how it transforms the mind. When hearing the rhythm and the arrangement, one’s mind is immediately transformed, like falling off the cliff. However, there isn’t the ability to notice the change of what is occurring except to listen more closely to the words and to allow the mind to be transformed, similar to a rose bush. The focus is only on the music while forgetting the surroundings or the situation that is a part of the current environment. Instead, there is the ability to recognize the main components that are a part of the music while allowing one to be a part of the music, as opposed to continuing to focus on the surroundings. Read More