MUS101-Critical Analysis

Final Exam

Listen to the musical selection below very carefully and repeatedly.  As you listen, compose a four-paragraph critical analysis essay about the piece.  Follow the instructions below for each paragraph. You do not need to comment on every element of music in the first paragraph. Find two or three elements that you can make substantive comments on and write about them. For the second paragraph, do your best to be as thorough as possible. You are not limited to using the terms listed under each paragraph prompt. if there are terms you feel you want to use to describe the music you hear, but they aren’t listed, feel free to include them. Since you have the chance to do this part of the assignment at home, and with no time limit, I have high expectations.

Paragraph 1:  Compose a paragraph discussing the osme of the formal elements of music and how you experience them in the selection.  Some of the terms and concepts you should consider are listed below

            Rhythm          meter              tempo             melody

            Consonance   dissonance     harmony        dynamics       

            Form               mode              tonality           texture          

            Medium          timbre                        cadences        phrasing

Paragraph 2:  Compose a paragraph discussing the possible genre or form or medium that you feel this selection represents.  In your discussion be sure to explain why you feel it is representative of that genre or form using proper musical terminology.  Some terms and concepts you should consider are listed below.

            Binary             Ternary          Rondo             Sonata            -allegro           Electronic

            Theme and Variation            Minuet & Trio                        Dodecaphonic

            Troubadour Song                  Opera             Art song          Serial music

            Plainchant      Madrigal         Motet              Symphony      String Quartet

            Chamber music                     Concerto         solo

Paragraph 3:  Compose a paragraph discussing which style period you belief the selection to be representative of and identify a possible composer for the work.  Be sure to cite specific musical traits that are present within the selection and with which style period they are mostly commonly connected.  Stylistic conventions for each style period are listed below.

Middle Ages  (pg 56, 59, 68)

Renaissance  (pg  72, 85)

Baroque  (pg 90, 103, 113)

Classical  (pg 117, 119, 121-123, 137)

Romantic  (pg  165, 181, 209)

Modern  (213-216, 256)

Paragraph 4: Compose a paragraph discussing your personal reaction to the selection. This paragraph may include some expression of your opinion, but should not be limited to that. Use this paragraph as an opportunity to show some things that you have learned this semester that may not be addressed by other areas of the critical analysis or exam.

The Barber of Seville – Comic opera in two acts [first half] : La ran la re la… Largo al factotum (Figaro, Count) · James Levine/London Symphony Orchestra Rossini: The Barber of Seville – Comic opera in two acts