Music Discussion #7
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Tarleton State University *
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1306
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by ChancellorProtonPrairieDog33
The first piece that I chose from the list was Harmonies des bois, Op. 76:2. Jacqueline’s Tears (Arr. Cello & Orchestra) (Live
) by Sheku Kanneh-Mason & City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (number 101 on the list). Jacqueline’s Tears (Les larmes de Jacqueline)
was composed by Jacques Offenbach in 1853 (Romantic Period) for the cello and the piano. While listening I was thinking about
what I read in the text (Part IV Chapter 8) about the classical concerto. Like the classical concerto, this piece is comprised of a soloist and an orchestra. I learned through the textbook that Mozart and Beethoven are considered “the greatest masters of the classical concerto”. They both composed and performed the classic concerto with the piano featured as the soloist instrument. Needless to say, I enjoyed this piece and found it to be very relaxing and comforting. After listening to it, I came to find out that it is was originally considered to be funeral music. That explains the comforting feeling I experienced when listening to the piece. I agree with the video Why We Need Classical Music;
you can feel the emotions of classical music.
I would like to note that before deciding to listen to this piece, I decided to do a google search for the artist (Sheku Kanneh-Mason). It proved to be fruitful. The artist is mainly known and addressed as Sheku. He is a 23-year-old British cellist who was the first Black musician to win the BBC Young Musician Award. If you watched the royal wedding of Meghan Markle to Prince Harry you may have already heard him play. During the search I also discovered that the artist plays a rendition of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry
on his Matteo Goffriller cello (made
in 1700). This sparked my attention and led me to listen to it before I listened to Jacqueline’s Tears
. I can honestly say I loved it. This artist is a perfect introduction to Classical music. After watching the video (Why We Need Classical Music)
and listening to the songs I chose from the list, I can honestly say that I have a love for classical music. I think that my love for jazz made it easier to find classical music appealing.
My search for Sheku and Jacqueline’s Tears
pointed me in the direction of the late Jacqueline du Pre (January 1945 – October 1987) who is remembered as one of the greatest cellists ever. Jacqueline du Pre is well known for her rendition of Jacqueline’s Tears
(Jacques Offenbach), which has over 3.9 million views on the biluka YouTube channel. Jacqueline du Pre is most famous for her rendition of Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85:1 Adagio-Moderato by
the composer Edward Elgar (1919). Her 1953 rendition is actually what made the piece famous.
I went to the list searching specifically for Elgar
. It was number 25 on the list. Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli and performed by Jacqueline du Pre and the London Symphony Orchestra. I chose it as my second piece.
The classical piece, Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85:1 Adagio-Moderato
, almost fits the description of the textbook’s definition of a classical concerto during the Classical period. The text says that a classical concerto consists of three movements. This concerto piece comes about two periods later (considered a 20
th
Century work) and has four movements. The inclusion of Adagio-Moderato (which is Italian) in the title lets a potential listener know that they expect the tempo of the piece to be slow (adagio) and moderate
(moderato). In Part 1 Chapter 3 (Rhythm) the text refers to tempo as “the speed of the beat-is the basic pace of the music”.
Since this was my second choice, I tried to find something I did not like about Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85:1 Adagio-Moderato.
I was unsuccessful. I found the London Symphony Orchestra to be lovely and Jacqueline du Pre to be exceptionally beautiful. The piece reminded me of something you would find in a major motion picture. I could picture myself cooking or getting dressed to this piece. I recommend it. I liked it so much, I decided to listen to Sheku’s performance of Elgar Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85:1 Adagio-Moderato.
I had to make a third choice to meet the requirement of a piece I disliked. I choose Concierto Para Piano Y Orquesta En Sol Mayor
(number 115 on the list) by
Martha Argerich. Although I did not totally dislike this piece, I felt that it started off too strong and loud. There were also some very high pitches that I could have
done without. I did not love it, but I find it rude to say that I did not like it. So, I will stick with not liking parts of it. The beginning of the work was not my cup of tea, but the ending when she literally tickled the ivories was delightful. Number 107 was another work I did not care for. Fiddle Dance Suite 2: As the Wind
goes is composed by Wynton Marsalis and performed by Nicola Benedetti. I saw Wynton Marsalis’ name and was sure it would be to my liking. I was wrong. I think I was listening with my jazz ears instead of my classical ears. I have enjoyed jazz by Wynton Marsalis in the past. I think I was disappointed because I was expecting a different sound and tempo.
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