Blog 3/12/06 - Compare and Contrast

This week was full of listening to the music of Prokofiev, for I am doing a presentation on his life and music for another class. Never hurts to kill two birds with one stone. Anyways, Prokofiev’s musical maturation process was different that most composers; he went from the more experimental music to composing within many of the confines of classical music. Within this analysis though, it is important to note the influence of Stalin’s regime over the arts. In an effort to control the creative processes, they accused Prokofiev of “excessive formalism,” which is essentially not appealing to a wide enough audience. Due to this, Prokofiev was forced to compose music that incorporated more of the style characteristics of the “simpler” classical music.
One of the main pieces that I listened to was his Symphony No. 1, which is also known as the “Classical” symphony. It is marked by typical classical form and structural elements. For example, the first movement is in sonata allegro form. It also is very triadic and the harmonies are often presented in a similar way that a classical symphony would (a.k.a. Alberti bass). It is performed by a typical classical symphony orchestra, which includes strings, percussion, and two of each of the major wind instruments.
It is interesting to compare this with his music for the opera The Love for Three Oranges. The march from this opera contains the rhythmic simplicity of Symphony No. 1. During this time, other composers were tending to use complex meters and rhythms, however Prokofiev generally stayed away from this trend. This piece displays trends consistent with Prokofiev such as rhythmic intensity, larger intervals sizes in parts of the melody, and a relatively simple form.
It has been interesting to study Prokofiev and all of the influences, both external and internal, that have played a role in the creation of his music. It will be interesting to see what the next 50 years bring to classical music and to the music of Prokofiev.

over 16 hours of music listened too this week...

that's right. I have driven over 16 this week in dealing with a family illness and since I listened to music the entire time, I will attempt to touch on most of it.
I started out driving last Sunday night listening to Jeff Buckley. He is an amazing singer songwritter. His high tenor vocals soar over rocking electric guitar. His cd "Grace" is on my top five album list. Check it out.
Then I don't really remeber what I put on. I think I might have just listened to the radio for a bit, everything from classic rock to country.
On my way back to DePauw on Tuesday night I stoped about half way and bought a new cd from a Starbucks. Antigonie Rising to be exact. An all girl band. I don't know if I really like it yet. It reminds me of Melissa Ethridge with more back ups.
I then listened to an all time favorite, Radiohead. Radiohead is by far my favorite band. I find their music so intelligent and beautiful. Yay for them.
Wow I'm so tired right now, this is getting quite loopy.
Then some Dave, "Crash", which I believe to be the bands best album.
Then on Friday when I drove up again I listened to Carlise Floyd's Susanna, in preperation for Concerto's. It's a great opera. Then I listened to a pop cd mix from Feburary, 2004 which included such hits as Brittney Spears "Toxic," and The Darkness's "I Believe in a thing Called Love."
Today on the way back I listened to Guster's "Parachuttes" on a loop till I could pick up WGRE.

So I think 16 hours of music should possibly make up for me missing a blog last week?