Music Review

In a 900-word essay (or more) describe in detail either the Romantic Period or Twentieth-century art music. You may choose to discuss how cultural events impacted the development of music at a given point in time, and perhaps what you hear and react to in music throughout the era. Feel free to discuss specific works or general musical values. You need to describe 4 works of music from our listening list. Using musical terminology,  give 2-3 sentences of personal description about how each works sounds, and then explain how each piece relates to your historical narrative. Please organize your thoughts using paragraphs with topic sentences and a clear organization for your narrative.

Music you may use for the paper:

Schubert, Erlknig

Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique, Movement IV, “March to the Scaffold”

Chopin, Nocturne in Eb Major

Verdi, La Traviata, Act I “Un di felice”

Wagner: Die Walkure, Wotan’s Farewell

Dvorak, Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”, Movement II

Brahms, Violin Concerto, Movement III

Mahler, Symphony No. 1, Movement III

Debussy, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun

Stravinsky, Rite of Spring, Movement I

Schoenberg, Pierrot Lunaire, “Madonna”

Ives, Variations on America

Varese, Poeme Electronique

Adams, Short Ride in a Fast Machine