Rethinking traditional Japanese instruments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09vfa4vuHFY
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Chinese Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWTixDAJNwo&feature=related
Challenge yourselves - Identify the instruments used! Watch and listen carefully!
Identify the Indian instruments
Challenge yourselves!
1. Name the instruments
2. Identify the tradition they are from
3. Provide 2 physical descriptions of the instrument and how it is played.
Instrument 1
Instrument 2
Instrument 3
Instrument 4
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Mozart's Requiem Mass in D Minor
A Requiem Mass in the Roman Catholic tradition is a service designed to pray for the souls of the departed. The parts of the liturgy that are meant to be sung are what constitute all Requiem Mass compositions, including Mozart's.
The structure is as follows:
1. Introit
2. Kyrie
3. Sequence: a. Dies irae b. Tuba mirum c. Rex tremendae d. Recordare e. Confutatis f. Lacrimosa
4. Offertory: a. Domine Jesu Christe b. Hostias
5. Sanctus
6. Benedictus
7. Agnus Dei
8. Lux Aeterna
Mozart died before finishing the Requiem Mass, and his wife Constanze gave the task of finishing the work to a pupil of Mozart's named Süssmayr. From the Sanctus onward, the Requiem is the creation of Süssmayr, though he did use portions of the Introit and Kyrie for the Lux Aeterna.
Despite, or maybe partially because of, the controversy surrounding this Requiem Mass, it is widely regarded as Mozart's greatest masterpiece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d88xIIRDI9U&feature=search
John Eliot Gardiner conducts the English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir.
Below is the Latin and the English translation for the Introit and Kyrie.
Introit
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine
Eternal rest grant unto them, Lord
Requiem æternam dona eis
Eternal rest grant unto them
et lux perpetua
and perpetual light
et lux perpetua luceat
and perpetual light shine
luceat eis.
shine on them.
Te decet hymnus Deus
A hymn comes to you
in Sion
in Zion
et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem.
and to you a vow shall be repaid in Jerusalem.
Exaudi Exaudi Exaudi
Hear, hear, hear
orationem meam
my prayer
ad te, ad te
to you, to you
omnis caro veniet.
all flesh will come.
Requiem æternam dona eis,
Requiem æternam dona eis,
Domine et lux perpetua
et lux perpetua
et lux perpetua
luceat eis.
luceat eis.
Kyrie
Kyrie eleison, eleison.
God have mercy.
Kyrie eleison, eleison.
Kyrie eleison, eleison.
Christe eleison, eleison.
Christ have mercy.
Christe eleison, eleison.
Kyrie eleison.
God have mercy.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Harmony Rules II
IMPERFECT CADENCES
• The imperfect cadence always ends with chord V. It gives the feeling of a half-close in the music, like a comma. The most common imperfect cadence is I – V. This is written exactly like the Perfect cadence but backwards. Other common Imperfect cadences are II – V & IV – V.
• Watch the leading note carefully, it will fall from the tonic. Don’t forget in a minor key to raise the leading note.
• In II – V try to make the soprano & bass move in contrary motion. Only use II – V in a major key.
• In VI – V don’t forget to double the 3rd in chord VI and make two voices rise and two fall. One of the voices falling will be the tonic to leading note.
• In IV – V the bass will often rise and all the other 3 parts fall. This is to help avoid consecutive octaves between the two roots.
INTERRUPTED CADENCE
• The Interrupted cadence is chords V – VI and has a very unfinished sound, like a question mark in the music, leading it on to something more.
• Double the 3rd in chord VI.
• The imperfect cadence always ends with chord V. It gives the feeling of a half-close in the music, like a comma. The most common imperfect cadence is I – V. This is written exactly like the Perfect cadence but backwards. Other common Imperfect cadences are II – V & IV – V.
• Watch the leading note carefully, it will fall from the tonic. Don’t forget in a minor key to raise the leading note.
• In II – V try to make the soprano & bass move in contrary motion. Only use II – V in a major key.
• In VI – V don’t forget to double the 3rd in chord VI and make two voices rise and two fall. One of the voices falling will be the tonic to leading note.
• In IV – V the bass will often rise and all the other 3 parts fall. This is to help avoid consecutive octaves between the two roots.
INTERRUPTED CADENCE
• The Interrupted cadence is chords V – VI and has a very unfinished sound, like a question mark in the music, leading it on to something more.
• Double the 3rd in chord VI.
• The bass will move up a step. The leading note must rise to the tonic. The other two parts will fall.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Singapore Lyric Opera Performance!
Singapore Lyric Opera presents
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's
Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
Step into the fantasy world of Die Zauberflöte - where fairy tale ingredients blend with Mozart’s finest melodies:
- Love story of Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina and the tests they have to go through
- High-drama tension between The Queen of the Night and Sarastro, the High Priest
- The hair-raising coloratura dementia – The Queen of the Night's murderous, and murderously difficult 'Die Holle Rache'
- The outrageously silly exchanges between the lovelorn bird catcher Papageno and Papagena – hear them sing 'Pa-pa-pa' (more like gasping) for about 48 times
Mozart wrote more than 20 operas throughout his life. Die Zauberflöte, the Singspiel (an 18th century German musical comedy with spoken dialogue) written just before his death, is probably his most popular operatic work. It is this masterpiece which perhaps turned a page in arts history, the first work to be made accessible not just to the aristocrats, but also to the masses.
Whether or not you are an opera fan, Die Zauberflöte is one opera you should not miss!
| Date | : | 23,24, 26 and 27 July 2010 |
| Time | : | 8.00pm |
| Venue | : | Esplanade Theatre, Singapore |
| Language | : | Sung in German, Dialogue in English, with English and Chinese surtitles |
| Tickets | : | SISTIC, (65) 6348 5555 |
| Enquiry | : | (65) 6336 1929 |
Ticket Price(s)
Standard - S$130, S$110, S$88, S$68, S$58, S$48, S$30, S$15
Price(s) exclude SISTIC fee.
No entry for infants in arms and children below 8 years old
Children from 8 years old will require a ticket for entry
- SLO Friends
- SLO Choir and Orchestra members (password)
- Kinokuniya Privilege card
- NTUC Union card
- All other OCBC credit cards
- Full-time students with student pass
- Full-time Nsmen
- Senior Citizens (62 yrs and above)
- Singapore Press Holdings' Staff Pass holder
The Magic Flute Video 2
From The Magic Flute, a duet between Papageno and Papagena.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liDTdbqljo4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liDTdbqljo4&feature=related
The Magic Flute Video 1
From The Magic Flute - Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja (The bird catcher song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Qq-DeEXhw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Qq-DeEXhw
*Recall*
The Magic Flute is a Singspiel, how is it different from Don Giovanni which is an Opera Buffa?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Recitative Secco
An example of Recitative Secco from Don Giovanni
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eJK3JmF54I&feature=PlayList&p=2F9B7594E175DD9F&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=33
Don Giovanni Video 2
From Don Giovanni - La ci darem la mano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ7PKtS2BR8
Don Giovanni Video 1
From Don Giovanni - Madamina, il catalogo è questo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fccdGBi9JUs
Challenge yourself!
What is the difference between recitative secco and recitative accompagnato?
What type of recitative is heard before the aria begins?
(See comments for answers)
(See comments for answers)
Singapore National Youth Orchestra Concert!
Singapore National Youth Orchestra
Tuesday 13 July 2010, 7.30 pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Conductor: Darrell Ang
“Symphonic Sojourns”
Vaughan Williams | Overture, ‘The Wasps’ |
| Jean Sibelius | Symphony no. 2 in D major Op. 43 |
| Lowell Liebermann | Concerto for Piccolo & Orchestra, Op. 50 Soloist: Jasper Goh Chien Teng |
tickets at $9 from SISTIC www.sistic.com.sg
As part of the 2010 Singapore Youth Festival, the SNYO presents its annual International Artistes Series. The guest artiste is Singapore-born and internationally renowned conductor Darrell Ang.
Let the SNYO take you on a “Symphonic Journey” beginning with intriguing solos on wind instruments from Vaughan William's The Wasps Overture. Soloist Jasper continues the journey with his piccolo in Liebermann's Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra. The journey ends with an air of patriotism in Symphony No. 2 in D Major Op. 43 by Jean Sibelius.
Enjoy “Symphonic Journey” with the SNYO!
Let the SNYO take you on a “Symphonic Journey” beginning with intriguing solos on wind instruments from Vaughan William's The Wasps Overture. Soloist Jasper continues the journey with his piccolo in Liebermann's Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra. The journey ends with an air of patriotism in Symphony No. 2 in D Major Op. 43 by Jean Sibelius.
Enjoy “Symphonic Journey” with the SNYO!
Orchestra of the Music Makers Concert!
Chan Tze Law, conductor
See Ian Ike, violin
Jeong Ae Ree, soprano
Rebecca Chellappah, mezzo soprano
Queensland Festival Chorus
Singapore Festival Chorus
Date: 10 July 2010, Saturday
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
Time: 7.30pm
MAX BRUCH Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 2 in C minor "Resurrection"
HSBC is proud to present recipient of the 2009 HSBC Youth Excellence Award, the Orchestra of the Music Makers conducted by Chan Tze Law, with Mahler’s Second Symphony “Resurrection” and Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 in concert.
Gustav Mahler’s epic and invigorating “Resurrection Symphony” took six years to perfect and changed the musical landscape forever. Combining enormous orchestral forces with a massive chorus and two vocal soloists, the work takes the listener from solemnity to an apocalyptic conclusion, depicting earthly terror and heavenly glory. This is one of the most moving, uplifting and exhilarating symphonies ever written. The Orchestra of the Music Makers is joined by soprano Jeong Ae Ree, mezzo-soprano Rebecca Chellappah, the Queensland Festival Chorus and the Singapore Festival Chorus.
Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1, with Singaporean violinist See Ian Ike as soloist, remains one of the most popular and lyrical Romantic concertos in the repertoire.
This is an event not to be missed!
Tickets at S$50, S$35, $27, S$18 and S$12 available at SISTIC.
Full ticket proceeds from this concert will be donated by HSBC to ChildAid.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Harmony Rules!
Here are some rules to help you write chords and cadences:
HARMONY RULES WRITING CHORDS
• Double the root or 5th, NOT the 3rd except in a minor chord (not key). Chord VI is the big exception, DO double the 3rd.
• Try to make the spacing of each chord as even as possible.
• No more than one octave between Alto & Tenor and Alto & Soprano.
• Do not leave out the 3rd
• The 5th may be left out and the root tripled
• Never double the leading note of the scale.
• It is occasionally possible to have Alto and Tenor on the same note.
• Keep the tenor part as high as possible.
WRITING CADENCES
• The leading note of a scale must rise to the tonic.
• When both chords use the same note keep it in the same part.
• Parts move to the nearest note possible.
• No part may move in parallel or consecutive 5ths or octaves.
• No part may overlap or cross another part.
• Contrary motion is desirable where possible.
PERFECT CADENCES
• The perfect cadence is chords V – I and has a very finished sound ideal for the end of piece or section of the music. Write down the available notes, in C Major the notes are GGBD and CCEG. Occasionally it may be necessary to double the 5th of chord I (CEGG) or even triple the tonic (CCCE), to keep to the basic rules.
• Always begin by writing in the bass notes.
• The leading note rises to the tonic.
• The note common to both chords remains in the same part.
• This leaves only one pair of notes which move by step.
PLAGAL CADENCES
• A plagal cadence is chords IV – I and has a finished sound bring the music to a close.
• We work these exactly as for the perfect cadence except there is no leading note.
• Write in the bass notes (the root of each chord).
• Keep the note in common to both chords in the same part (this is the tonic of the key).
• The other two parts should move as closely as possible, usually they can simply both move down a step.
HARMONY RULES WRITING CHORDS
• Double the root or 5th, NOT the 3rd except in a minor chord (not key). Chord VI is the big exception, DO double the 3rd.
• Try to make the spacing of each chord as even as possible.
• No more than one octave between Alto & Tenor and Alto & Soprano.
• Do not leave out the 3rd
• The 5th may be left out and the root tripled
• Never double the leading note of the scale.
• It is occasionally possible to have Alto and Tenor on the same note.
• Keep the tenor part as high as possible.
WRITING CADENCES
• The leading note of a scale must rise to the tonic.
• When both chords use the same note keep it in the same part.
• Parts move to the nearest note possible.
• No part may move in parallel or consecutive 5ths or octaves.
• No part may overlap or cross another part.
• Contrary motion is desirable where possible.
PERFECT CADENCES
• The perfect cadence is chords V – I and has a very finished sound ideal for the end of piece or section of the music. Write down the available notes, in C Major the notes are GGBD and CCEG. Occasionally it may be necessary to double the 5th of chord I (CEGG) or even triple the tonic (CCCE), to keep to the basic rules.
• Always begin by writing in the bass notes.
• The leading note rises to the tonic.
• The note common to both chords remains in the same part.
• This leaves only one pair of notes which move by step.
PLAGAL CADENCES
• A plagal cadence is chords IV – I and has a finished sound bring the music to a close.
• We work these exactly as for the perfect cadence except there is no leading note.
• Write in the bass notes (the root of each chord).
• Keep the note in common to both chords in the same part (this is the tonic of the key).
• The other two parts should move as closely as possible, usually they can simply both move down a step.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Dear Students,
Thank you to those who have already commented on the videos.
Students who have yet to post their comments please also comment on the Gamelan and Chinese ensemble music videos.
Commenting on videos from different music cultures would greatly aid in your revision!
Students who wish to comment on more than 2 videos are more than welcomed to do so! Bonus marks will be awarded accordingly.
Enjoy the last week of your holidays :)
Ms Chua
Thank you to those who have already commented on the videos.
Students who have yet to post their comments please also comment on the Gamelan and Chinese ensemble music videos.
Commenting on videos from different music cultures would greatly aid in your revision!
Students who wish to comment on more than 2 videos are more than welcomed to do so! Bonus marks will be awarded accordingly.
Enjoy the last week of your holidays :)
Ms Chua
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Task 2 Music Video
Task 2: Video 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJkNZJf44Yg&feature=PlayList&p=92ED6F75BBDEFF1C&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJkNZJf44Yg&feature=PlayList&p=92ED6F75BBDEFF1C&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=14
Monday, June 7, 2010
Concerts to attend!
CIMB - 17th Singapore International Piano Festival 2010
23 - 26 June 2010, 8.15pm
Victoria Concert Hall
Victoria Concert Hall
Chopin at 200 celebrates the bicentenary of Frédéric Chopin, the composer most closely associated with the piano. All four recitals by a fascinating line-up of pianists will explore Chopin's musical innovations, his creative use of past traditions, and his influence on composers and piano music after his time.
 | "keyboard artistry on the highest level" - Miami Herald "playing that possesses urgency, personality, imagination and colour" - International Piano "a practically superhuman keyboard technique with artistic eloquence second to none" - San Francisco Chronicle "simply the most important new pianist to appear in recent years, period" - The Detroit News | |
 | "... these are among the finest of all Chopin discs, easily excelling recordings by almost all the most celebrated names in the catalogue." - Bryce Morrison, International Piano "When Pietro De Maria puts his hands on the piano, it comes spontaneously to revive an old definition: he is a poet of the keyboard." - Lorenzo Arruga, Il Giornale "... a marvellous version of Chopin's Etudes... a consistency of thought which is the hallmark of great interpreters of Chopin." - Etienne Moreau, Diapason | |
 | "Not only are his technical abilities mature and amazing, but he is returning to the kind of repertoire that made the "Golden Age of Piano Playing" golden; and he plays it with the electrifying abandon the pieces need." - American Record Guide Jan / Feb 2010 "Grosvenor's performance was so alluring, so alive to the music's poetry, and so colourfully detailed." - The Daily Telegraph "Even the most outlandish difficulties are tossed aside not just as child's play but with a seemingly endless poetic finesse and resource..." - The Gramophone Magazine | |
 | "A mesmerisingly creative talent" - The Boston Globe "Explosive emotion, exquisite sensitivity" - The Daily Telegraph "One of the most individual and absorbing pianists of our time" - The Sunday Times "...tone and touch ofhis playing are so seductive that it's easy to forget how classically correct a musician he is" - The Guardian | |
for more information on the performers biography and programme.
Websites on Gamelan Music
Hello everyone :)
The first week of the holidays have passed and I hope you have been enjoying your well-deserved break.
Here are some interesting/useful websites on Gamelan music to enrich your musical vocabulary:
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Indonesian/budaya_bangsa/Gamelan/Main_Page/main_page.htm
http://www.joglosemar.co.id/gamelan.html
Happy exploring!
The first week of the holidays have passed and I hope you have been enjoying your well-deserved break.
Here are some interesting/useful websites on Gamelan music to enrich your musical vocabulary:
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Indonesian/budaya_bangsa/Gamelan/Main_Page/main_page.htm
http://www.joglosemar.co.id/gamelan.html
Happy exploring!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Video on the background of Kabuki Theatre
Kabuki is the highly stylized classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make up worn by some of its performers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67-bgSFJiKc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67-bgSFJiKc&feature=related
Video on the background of Noh
The performing art of Noh has a venerable history dating back some 650 years. It has received high international acclaim as an exceptional form of theatrical art and for the sophisticated acting abilities of its performers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIVV3wWHWYU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIVV3wWHWYU
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Dear Students,
Welcome!! This edublog will provide you with supplementary music materials to enhance your music listening and learning experience. Each week, music videos and listening extracts covered in class will be posted on the blog to aid your revision. Through other supplementary musical materials, you will be exposed to an array of musical forms and cultures.
You will be assigned to comment on some music videos and listening extracts. You may post your comments through the comment box attached with each post.
If you wish to recommend other interesting and relevant musical materials, please make inform me and provide me with the link or video. You may also wish to comment on the posts and raise questions regarding the music materials.
I hope you will find this edublog useful and interesting and I look forward to your comments and recommendations!
Cheers,
Ms Chua
Welcome!! This edublog will provide you with supplementary music materials to enhance your music listening and learning experience. Each week, music videos and listening extracts covered in class will be posted on the blog to aid your revision. Through other supplementary musical materials, you will be exposed to an array of musical forms and cultures.
You will be assigned to comment on some music videos and listening extracts. You may post your comments through the comment box attached with each post.
If you wish to recommend other interesting and relevant musical materials, please make inform me and provide me with the link or video. You may also wish to comment on the posts and raise questions regarding the music materials.
I hope you will find this edublog useful and interesting and I look forward to your comments and recommendations!
Cheers,
Ms Chua
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