WCT (due Tuesday 27th February)

Write an extended essay OR create a pamphlet/handout that outlines the development of the symphony in the later Romantic era (see notes here). You should introduce Romanticism in music in a general way and then make sure you address the following:

• the expansion of the first movement
• the expansion of the orchestra
• the increasing importance of drama and narrative in the Romantic symphony

Composition (due FRIDAY 2nd March)

1) write a short extract of music that depicts storm (see here for notes and examples)

2) write a short love theme. It must include some heartwrenching resolving dissonances such as 9ths etc. and chromaticisms (see examples studied in class here). BUT keep the harmony really simple sticking to normal HARMONIC CONVENTIONS and then you can add diminished sevenths, secondary dominants, augmented sixths etc.

Composition

Hand in on Tuesday (if your lesson is Wednesday) / Wednesday (if your lesson is Thursday) HERE

You need to put your development together. A default structure (from which you can deviate, except for the last bit) might look as follows:

1. Idea in minor (perhaps swapping an idea from top to bottom of texture e.g. violins and cellos with simple accompaniment in the middle)
2. Another idea (perhaps going to a few other keys – you could use parallel motion of some kind – see here)
3. A circle of fifths landing on … (notes here – your sequence in the melody should span TWO chords so then it can sequence down so write a melody for I-IV and then sequence it down a step three times)
4. A dominant pedal in your home key (some notes here and some chords to use here)

The idea is not complexity but VARIETY. So changing the orchestration – who has the melody, how many are accompanying etc.

WCT etc

Annotate your scores from Moodle and revise for a test on Movement 1 of the Haydn on Friday next week. There will also be some musical theatre listening.

You must do at least one music theatre revision activity and one Haydn movement 1 from the quizzes on Moodle.

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

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

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)