Understanding Sound: Frequency, Pitch, and Melody
Frequency and Human Hearing
Frequency is the speed of vibration, measured in hertz (Hz). Humans can hear frequencies up to 20,000 Hz.
- Ultrasounds are sounds with a frequency higher than 20,000 Hz.
- Infrasounds are sounds with a frequency lower than 20 Hz.
Pitch and its Representation
Pitch is the quality of sound that tells us if the pitch is high or low. Pitch is the frequency of vibration of an object, measured in hertz.
Pitch is represented by notes written on a stave.
Melody, Motifs, and Phrases
Melody
Read MoreRomanticism and the Renaissance in Catalan Culture
Romanticism
Romanticism began in the mid-eighteenth century and lasted nearly a century. This aesthetic movement influenced not only art but also the sensitivity and attitudes of European artists. It was a new way of seeing the world, which gave preference to passion over reason and marked an attitude of rebellion.
Features
- Romanticism is a revolt: On one side were the defenders of classicism, who valued reason above all else. On the other side appeared advocates of creative freedom and the importance
Classical Music: Orchestra, String Quartet, Composers, and Vocal Styles
Classical Orchestra
The word orchestra comes from the Greek and means “place to dance.” This definition goes back to about the 5th century BC when representations were made in outdoor theaters. Opposite the main area of activity was a space for singers and instruments. This space was named “orchestra”. Today, orchestra refers to a group of musicians playing together, with a more or less standard formation of instruments (the exact number depends on the type of music).
String Quartet
The String Quartet
Read MoreBaroque Music: Operas, Oratorios, Suites, and Dances
Context
The Baroque period ran from the end of the 16th century, about 1597, the date of the first performance of an opera, to the second half of the 18th century, 1750, Bach’s death, 1759, Handel’s death.
Composers working in the Baroque era needed a patron, someone wealthy to pay for their music.
Composers often wrote music specifically for their patrons, mainly for royal events (operas, concertos), church services (mass, oratorio), and dances (suites).
Most Important Genres
Opera
Opera started in Italy
Read MoreMasterpieces of Baroque Music: Bach, Handel, Vivaldi & More
Masterpieces of Baroque Music
Johann Sebastian Bach
- Double Violin Concerto in D Minor (Remifasolladosisol)
- Goldberg Variations, Aria (Key only, slow). Composed for Count Keyserling, for his harpsichordist Goldberg. They played it at night to help him sleep.
- Cello Suite No. 6, Gavotte and Gigue (Solo cello, allegro)
- The Passion According to Matthew (Conciertito legato). A passionate oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach, consisting of two parts made up of 68 numbers. The work develops a sense through its
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Life and Musical Legacy
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Introduction
Born in Salzburg in 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was soon revealed as a child prodigy. Educated by his father, at age six he played the violin and keyboard instruments and could improvise and read music. His father took him on a tour of European courts, where he earned fame and honors, as he composed several works. He died in Vienna on December 5, 1791, at 35 years old. His funeral was held at the Cathedral of St. Stephen. It was laid out according to the Masonic
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