Year 12 HW w/c 30th Jan
Composition (Tuesday 6th/Wednesday 7th)
Write THREE development sketches (about 4-8 bars each) OR two slightly longer ones. The need to be in different closely-related keys to the tonic. Try a selection of the following (can be several at a time):
- sequence an idea down by step
- circle of fifths
- modulating into a different key
- new texture (perhaps move into the bass etc.)
- imitation/call and response
- parallel first inversion chords
Essay
Use your research essay to help you write BY HAND and in no more than ONE HOUR an exam essay. It should follow this format
- Brief introduction (perhaps Baroque orchestra context)
- Refer to about 3 or 4 pieces from Classical era (remember to talk about the transition from a 8 to mature classical orchestra and what instruments are added, giving examples in symphonies)
- Discuss the Haydn 104 (what instruments does it use, something about natural brass)
- Refer to about 4 pieces from the Romantic era
- Use your last piece as a conclusion, referring back to a couple of earlier pieces by way of comparison
Year 13 HW w/c 29th January
WCT – due Monday 5th February
Please write an extended essay (i.e. longer than an exam essay – it can be a series of research notes, but must be properly written in proper sentences and with explanation etc.) on the topic of harmony and tonality in the development of the symphony. You should NOT talk about Haydn 104, but include the Mendelssohn.
The idea is for you comprehensively to refresh and update your knowledge of the symphony by going back to the Development of the Symphony notes using harmony and tonality as the focus.
Year 13 HW w/c 22nd Jan.
Composition
Please make sure that focus on handing in your COMPOSITION TWO this week on Tuesday 30th
Year 12 HW w/c 22nd January
Composition
Make any necessary improvements to the 16-bar compound period.
TIPS:
- Try and include some more interesting (but not too much) harmonies (see here for help on this)
- If your rhythm is mostly crotchets and minims try to include a dotted rhythm or some quavers somewhere to bring it to life
- Dynamics and articulation add short slurs and staccatos in particular to bring it to life (see here for tips)
THEN write two development sketches (about 4-8 bars each). Try selection of the following (can be several at a time):
- in a closely related (or if you are brave a less closely related) minor key
- sequence an idea down by step
- circle of fifths
- modulating into a different key
- new texture (perhaps move into the bass etc.)
- imitation/call and response
- parallel first inversion chords
Year 12 Homework w/c 15th Jan.
Composition
First improve your 16-bar compound period in response to feedback and then run it immediately into your improved tonic filler/noise material. These two exercises now need to be in same file.
If you have time you should start some development sketches. You need to take your lead from Haydn 104, take a fragment of your theme and try selection of the following (several at a time):
- in a closely related (or if you are brave a less closely related) minor key
- sequenced down by step
- circle of fifths
- modulating into a different key
- new texture (perhaps move into the bass etc.)
- imitation/call and response
- parallel first inversion chords
WCT
Write an essay on the development of the orchestra as seen in the symphony from 1750-1900.
You need to spend some time reading and listening on the Development of the symphony pages. You will find that some pieces have specific information on the development of the orchestra (Topic F ) so you should concentrate on those. You can get extra info and context from the internet (there are some links on the relevant pages to get you started) and from listening on Youtube/Spotify etc.
You should structure you essay as follows:
- Introduction (have a quick read of this and look at the the Corelli and the Stamitz Trio Symphony on the Development of the symphony pages.
- Development of the orchestra in Early Classical era (look at Stamitz Op. 3/2 and Haydn Symphony No. 2 for starters)
- Expansion in the mature Classical period
- Beethoven’s use of the Orchestra
- Finally the expansion of the orchestra in the later Romantic era (start with Berlioz and choose a few others including Strauss and Mahler)
Year 13 HW w/c 8th January
Please prepare for your mocks next week!
- Monday: Music Theatre Listening and Haydn Short Answer
- Wednesday: Into the Twentieth Century
- Thursday: Western Classical Tradition Essay
Please also hand in composition work, commenting what you have done to it in the online comments box.
Year 12 HW w/c 8th January
First Subject Composition Homework (due in Tuesday 16th / Wednesday 17th)
Write a 16-bar theme (ending on I at the beginning of the 17th bar) for orchestra string section (Vl I, II, Vla, Vc, Bass) in the same key, time signature and tempo as your tonic filler homework. It needs to follow the structure of the first subject of the opening movement of Haydn 104 as follows:
- 4-bar theme (include simple, triadic and scalic ideas which will work well for development)
- 4-bar idea that ends on I-V imperfect cadence
- Exact repeat of 4-bar theme
- Adapt bars 5-8 so that they end on a PERFECT cadence (use ii6 or a cadential 6/4 as well). The perfect cadence will land on the beginning of the next bar (bar 17)
w/c 2nd January
Please submit compositions on Moodle by end of Tuesday:
– corrections on Composition 1
– composition 2 if you did not submit before OR you have made some progress!
Make sure you revise for test week after next – details in last homework below.
w/c 2nd January
- Submit Allegro tonic composition by the end of Tuesday please (earlier if you have finished it)
- Make sure you have done the online tests mentioned below
- Finish annotating your Minuet score using resources on Moodle to help you