Listening and Responding to Musical Compositions

Listening and Responding to Musical Compositions

1. Edvard Grieg – Peer Gynt, Suite No.1, Morning Mood

            When listening to Morning Mood, I noticed that the composition mainly features two instruments: the flute and the oboe. The piece opens with a flute and oboe solo, and violins join in to add to the softness of the tone (0:00 – 0:32). The flutist and oboist take over, and the interplay between them is magnificently sublime (0:44 – 0:55). The reign of the flute and oboe is disrupted by a melodious violin, viola, and French horn tune (1:10 -1:57).  All instruments play together at the same pitch as in the beginning, giving the composition an orchestra feel (2:28 – 2:45)

While watching the video, I realized that the camera focused on individuals playing the main melodic line and provided wide-angle shots when multiple instruments were playing simultaneously. This music makes me feel relaxed. I like how the flute and oboe are the main instruments, and the other instruments provide accompaniment. I also appreciate the fact that this piece has no drastic changes from soft to loud, which adds to the beauty of its calm theme.

2. Edvard Grieg – In the Hall of the Mountain King

            In the Hall of the Mountain King opens with French horns, double basses, and cellos playing one note (0:00 – 0:15). Bassoons take over the theme, while the double basses, cellos, and French horns maintain the original note (0:16 – 0:25). Violins, clarinets, and oboes play at a higher pitch than at the beginning, and flutes, French horns, clarinets, and trombones are introduced into the piece (1:01 – 1:16). Violins, violas, flutes, tubas, and clarinets get louder and louder. The inclusion of all instruments thickens the texture as they get louder and are played faster (1:38 – 1:48). The tempo in all instruments quickens until the end, and the piece closes with a loud two-bar drum roll (1:48 – 2:23).

When listening to this piece, I noticed that it has a single melody, which is repeated throughout. I also noticed that the camera focus on the instruments playing the main melodic line. This composition makes me feel excited, especially when the tempo and intensity build up towards the end because it showcases the dedication of the conductor, as well as the talent of the instrumentalists. It also makes me feel happy as it is more cheerful and ominous sounding.

3. Wagner – Die Walkure – Act III (Opening)

            The first few seconds of Act Three are primarily dominated by wavering woodwinds and rushing strings (0:00 – 1:30). As the Valkyries begin to sing (2:25), the full orchestra joins with the pitch, lowering and increasing every few seconds, with the violin as the main instrument. At around 3:58 minutes, the trumpets and brass join in, and the pitch increases. Up until 5:55 minutes, the brass is the primary accompaniment until the music slows down. Violins then set in slowly, accompanied by woodlands and trumpets before slowing down again. The music drastically changes from soft to loud, with varying pitches being used from (7:25 – 8:00). At 8:00 minutes, the music slows down, and a few accompaniments join in until the song ends.

As I watched this song, I noticed that the music seamlessly switched to major and minor keys to suit the mood of what was occurring on stage. I also noticed that the heavy use of brass in this piece gives the song a heavy feel. Listening to this song made me feel joyful because it incorporated various instruments, adding to the magnificence of the composition. This song was unlike any other I have watched because I got to enjoyed both instrumental music and vocal talent.

4. Wagner – Die Walkure – Act 1 (Conclusion)

            At the beginning of the conclusion of Act 1, the first notes of the violins create a feeling of intensity as Siegmund and Sieglinde discover that they are related. Shortly after, the violins and violas are accompanied by the harp. At minute 3:46, the tempo alternates in intervals with some instruments such as the French horn, double bass, and violin being stressed and others such as bassoons and the harp coming in as accompaniments until the music slows down. The brass sections are used collectively from minute 5:50 up until minute 6:30 when the music fades to silence. The silence is ended by the brass sections, which are playing at a low and slow pace. All instruments play concurrently with varying pitches being used from minute 9:15 until the end of the song.

When watching and listening to this piece, I noticed that it particularly uses the brass sections. At times, hearing the instruments was difficult because the singers were loud. Despite this, the sweeping musical arrangements took me on a relaxing and uplifting journey. When the instrumentalists were playing, the immensity of the sound was thrilling and captivating.

5. Brahms – Symphony No. 3

Symphony No. 3 opens with a cello solo, which is accompanied by violins and violas that are played at varying pitches. At minute 1:46, the flute and oboe are introduced into the composition, accompanied by the strings. The woodwind takes over the song at minute 2:23, accompanied by the double bass. All instruments are played together from minute 2:57 until minute 3:15 when the music fades, and a French horn solo begins. The woodwind and the strings have a brief interplay, and the brass takes over at minute 4:14. The clarinetist has a solo at minute 4:46, accompanied by the brass. Shortly after, the woodwind takes over the composition, and the song ends with an interplay of the strings and the woodwind.

When I was listening to Symphony No. 3, I noticed that Brahms took the time to spotlight the beauty of each instrument. The brass, strings, and woodwind all had solos in the song. While listening to this piece, I felt calm and relaxed because the melody was smooth, with no drastic increases in pitch.