Night on Bald Mountain by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky (1867) was written in 1867 during the Romantic period. This orchestral tone poem was inspired by Nikolay Gogol’s short story “St. John’s Eve” which chronicles the witches’ pilgrim to Bald Mountain to await the arrival of their lord, Satan. Mussorgsky’s A Night on Bald Mountain is a very dark piece which uses several musical elements such as dramatic contrast of dynamics, pitch, chromatic harmonies and discords to create an exciting and twisted story. It is a beautiful work that depicts the style and characteristics of 19th century Romantic music. This orchestral composition is a skillful combination of these elements that makes this classical piece one of my favorites. The instrumentation …show more content…
From beginning to end, I am captivated by the music. Each element brings a unique character to the overall piece. The music takes the listener on a suspenseful journey. The arrangement of the song gives me a visual of someone stumbling upon a dark forest and begins to hear the fast-approaching movement of something behind them. The pairing of several melodic phrases throughout the composition adds to the sense of chaos and turbulence. The dramatic contrast of dynamics between themes, pitch, chromatic harmonies and discords used in Night on Bald Mountain are still used in musical scores for horror movies. I remember hearing this music in Disney’s Fantasia and thinking, “Boy, do I need to run.” It still has that same effect. In the movie, Chernabog, the evil god, appears in the final segment of the film and summons spirits around the mountain. There’s not another score of music that could perfectly illustrate the final scene of Disney’s Fantasia than Night of Bald Mountain. This was the epitome of the framework of a nightmare for a young boy who was afraid of his own shadow. I can remember hiding under the arm of my mother but somehow could not tear myself away from the big screen. Watching Fantasia as an adult it still brings about some anxiety when I reach the scene at Bald Mountain. The musical score is actually synonymous with that fear but seems to keep me in my seat; making it the favorite part of the entire
It shows that often there are forces at play that make migrating the only option for an individual. Overall, the music allows us to see more clearly what migrants must go through and gives them a voice in their own
This song is celebratory and full of rejoice. Crescendos are often used. This song is song in harmony. The Brass and orchestra instruments really add to the piece. This song is also religious.
Many movie directors make films to appeal to their audiences. That’s their job in the film industry. However, a director named Tim Burton stands out above all by his unique style of filmmaking. He gives off a bowl of mixed emotions that gets easily manipulated by his cinematic techniques. In any of Tim Burton’s films, he uses three cinematic techniques such as lighting, camera angles, and music and sound to create a darkness and gothic-like style that helps interfere with what the audience feels.
His composition where live because of the way their melodic rhythm and the dynamic contrasts. His characteristics of his compositions have been incorporated into other composer’s works because of his impact and influence on
She uses her importance and connection to music to show that even while things change and she grows up, the one thing that remains constant is the melody. She recalls her mother leaving and it is a long, painful experience, she knows she is actively forgetting the good in her childhood. The speaker is aware of her childhood memories “fading like the words of a lullaby”, but there is a sense of comfort in knowing that no matter the circumstances, they will remain. The personal relationship in the jazz albums and small nuances add up together to create something that blooms from the
This documentary informs its viewers about what America did, or rather did not do, concerning the Jews of Europe during the Holocaust. The documentary charges America with not doing anything when having multiple chances to help the Jews escape the horrors that they were going to face by the Nazis. Those involved in making the documentary are the ones that are making the charges against America, along with the many people used in the documentary are resources of what America was doing concerning the Jews. This documentary uses many effective strategies and devices to show the audience that the charges against America are in fact true.
Have you ever found yourself longing to escape reality? Have you ever fallen into a state of daydream during that one mind-numbing history class? I have. I remember imagining that I was back in the Philippines, sitting there on the beach. The chatter of other kids running around in the sand mixed with the crashing of the waves against the shoreline was so relaxing to me.
This piece consisted of two different movements. The second part of it was a lot more allegro, upbeat, and energized. It symbolized the eternal love that no one, not even a powerful king, could take away. The whole orchestra had more active roles and a polyphonic texture. Together they made a beautiful
As this happens, the tempo starts to change to a more haunting melody as the speedy slowly increase creating a nice balanced harmony. The song shows that the social issue is a huge problem and with the guidance of the vocals,
It features two main themes, plus many melodic episodes. The structure - in A-B-A form - is clearly identifiable through the themes that mark each of the sections: the lyrical melody that opens the work, the exciting piu animato that ends with a demanding cadenza, and the final recapitulation that is followed by a cheeky and vivacious codetta that brings the work to a dramatic close. Possessing a memorable melodic theme, the piece tests the performer through the unending phrases, virtuosic c and the resultant nimble fingerwork required. It has remained one of the great standards amongst the
2. The Rite of Spring music makes me think about powerful cultural groups dancing, marching, celebrating and pursuing their ideals. Stravinsky achieves that way of thinking in me by the way he changes the music tones constantly; presenting sounds of joy, mystery, passion, and aggression. I also heard some instruments I am not sure what they were but they make me think about Indian tribes. 3.
There were many musical elements heard throughout these pieces and it was interesting to hear how they varied in each song and suite. In Intermezzo, it began with a quieter violin solo melody creating a monophonic texture. Soon after, it became accompanied by the other violins and cellos, then the full ensemble came in creating a moderate, flowing melody at about mezzo forte and switching to a polyphonic texture. Next, there was a harp solo at forte with many crescendos and decrescendos. The full ensemble enters again raising the dynamics to forte before decrescendoing and slowing down to end with a held note and final tone.
The piece comprise of many musical instrument particularly string, brass, and woodwinds. The composer also use repetition in composing as the first part is repeated at the end of the piece, but with more sophisticated dynamics and timbre. In my opinion, the piece by Richard Wagner is a very good example for the topic of Basic Musical Concept that introduce many essential parts like referential listeners and structure of
This movement begins with a beautiful love song until a turbulent middle sections rudely interrupts its dream-like reverie. The finale, Andante-Allegro, begins with a quiet, introspective introduction in the piano alone which then leads into an exuberant Allegro. At the Allegro, the violin breaks forth with ascending, slashing passages from its lowest to its highest register, creating a sense of drama and importance. However, then comes a playfulness that sneaks into the music almost without notice. And then after a rush of virtuosic passages from both violin and piano, the sonata comes to an explosive end.
It was not until Kate the FBI agent, found the dead body. The director and producer did a great job in even disgusting the audience with what Kate had found, dead bodies all over the house. Not only did it disgust the audience, but in my perspective it gave me the chills. Throughout the movie the music did not get any happier from there it just got darker, like if you were being observed and you did not know. Scared to life, not secured, is what the music of the film made me feel.