2013_Mus_Inv_Prog_Focus_solo-1kevin.doc

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VCE MUSIC INVESTIGATION MC05

Performance Examination 2013

Program Sheet (Solo)

STUDENT NUMBER

INSTRUMENT PIANO

FOCUS

STATEMENTTITLE

The development of keyboard transcriptions and

arrangements of concertos, orchestral balletmusic, lieder and popular songs - from the 18th

century through to the 21st century.

PRESCRIBED LIST WORKLIST NAME TITLE OF WORK COMPOSER/PERFORMER

Works

Composed Since

1910

Over the Rainbow from The

Genius of Goerge Shearing

SHEARING, George

PROGRAM in order of performance

(maximum duration 25 minutes)

FULL TITLE

(Name, movement No., Op.No., from)

COMPOSER

(and/or arranger)

DURATION

(Minutes)

Widmung (Dedication)Liszt/Schumann 400

Der Muller und der Bach Liszt/Schubert 700

Over the Rainbow from The Genius of Goerge

Shearing

George Shearing 230

Prelude (from Incidental music to

Shakespeares Hamlet)

Prokofiev 300

My Favourite Things Hough 230

Danse Russe (Petrushka) Stravinsky240

2013 VASS download Music Investigation - Solo


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MUSIC INVESTIGATION

Performance Examination 2013

Focus Statement

This statement must be typed, not handwritten. Two copies should be provided to the

assessors when you enter the examination room.

Student number

Throughout the year I explored how the various piano transcriptions have

necessitated the development of a refined and varied control of texture,dynamics, and articulation as well as a variety of pedaling techniques in order to

reflect the styles, textures and expressive intent of the original versions.

I investigated the following eras and styles:

- Later Baroque Period (concerto)

- Romantic Period (lieder, ballet music)

- Early 20th century (ballet music)

- Later 20th century (jazz, popular songs)

The investigation covered a wide range of techniques, which were essential in

portraying the styles, textures and expressive intent of the original versions.

- Voicing/tonal control

- Finger dexterity (Over the Rainbow)

- Syncopated/Rhythmic pedaling

- Rhythmic pedaling

- Repetitive Octaves

- Rapid arpeggios

- Syncopation/Hemiola Rhythms

- Melodic counterpoint

- Interweaving Melody (Widmung Liszt)

Stravinsky - Danse Russe is an early 20th century virtuoso transcription of the

ballet Petrushka by the composer for the young touring virtuoso pianist Arthur

Rubinstein. The first movement Danse Russe uses various instrumental

techniques in order to convey the orchestral dance like effect of the original

ballet:

- Repetitive octaves with chordal movement- Rapid/Mechanic wrist movements (repetitive octaves)



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- Rhythmic unison of melody and accompaniment

- Octave movement in contrary motion

- Rhythmic pedaling (used in sections of rhythmic unison)

Over the Rainbow - Harlen/George Shearing (prescribed list) s anarrangement of the popular ballad song Over the Rainbowby Harold Arlen and

E.Y. Harburg, that re-examines the harmonic basis of what was an essentially

diatonic popular song (compare the more traditional Keith Jarret arrangement)

exploring chromatic harmony and chord substitutions.

- Use of jazz and extension chords- Descending Chromatic passages (creating complex harmonic interest)

- Pedaled Staccato articulation, (creates light and soft effect

Voice leading (of soprano line)

Widmung - Liszt is a transcription of Schumann's "Widmung" (Dedication)

which features the setting of a poem by Friedrich Ruckert. Liszts transcription is

set in a fantasie form and employs more idiomatic techniques for eg.

- Interweaving Melody (During arpeggio section)

- Rapid appreciated/idiomatic sections

- choral triplets in L.H. creates thick, dense texture

- Voicing of inner melodies

Prelude (from Incidental music to Shakespeares Hamlet) -

Prokofiev is a piano transcription of ballet music derived fromProkovievs incidental music to Hamlet. The short transcription

features various techniques that convey the constrasting texture

and sections of the ballet:

-

My Favourite things Stephen Hough is a transcription for solo piano of a

song from a successful stage play (later iconic film). By the virtuoso

contemporary pianist Stephen Hough it cleverly manages to combine

simultaneously and contrapuntally, different melodic elements of the song by

using various performance and stylistic characteristics:

- Homophonic chordal textures that incorporate melody

- 2 melodies in combination

- 3-handed effects' (music in 3 staves)

- Sequencial techniques in tie with the melodic contour

- Contrasting melodies in hemiola

Der Mller und der Bach Liszt is a piano transcription of Schuberts songfrom Die schne Mllerin. Liszt captures the expressive cantabile characteristic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balladhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Arlenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yip_Harburghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_sch%C3%B6ne_M%C3%BCllerinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Arlenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yip_Harburghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_sch%C3%B6ne_M%C3%BCllerinhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballad


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of Schuberts song through:

- Alto melodic line (warm resonant tone

- Unlocked and relaxed wrists (tone production)

-

-

Students should refer to

How works in the program relate to the identified area of performancefocus

Musical (stylistic) characteristics that will be demonstrated within theperformance program (as relevant to the performance focus)

Performance techniques, practices and conventions that will be evident

in the performance program (as relevant to the performance focus)


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2013_Mus_Inv_Prog_Focus_solo-1kevin.doc