Time Period: Origins begin around the early 20th century

This piece is a style of Gamelan music being played in one ensemble. The gong-like dark resonance along with the unique timbre and pitch of this communities Gamelan makes the sound unique.

Publish Date: October 20th, 2002

This form of Gamelan is performed with a dance. A certain set of dance movements corresponds to a musical movement. The dynamics and tempo of the drum lead the metallophones and the drum has a close relationship with the performer as the music is influenced by it. There is numerous amount of rhythmic interlocking and is slightly improvised.

Composition Date: Unknown. Posted to YouTube on June 22nd, 2011

This piece of music is used for participating in society and cooperation of society as it is performed to improve work productivity. It also contains parts of improvisations. The percussion timbre of the stamp contains African stylistic features such as the repetition and polyrhythm where as the whistling pitch has unique European connotations.

Performed by: Rajee Narayan

Publish Date: December 1st, 1960

This music is associated with life’s periodicities, and has a very slow tempo to help fulfill the purpose of sleep. It follows Raga which organizes the melodies in a distinctive pitch and range. The first svara and fifth are plucked by a string instrument staying fixed where as the rest are flexible depending on context such as a lullaby.

Composition Date: Unknown but can be traced back to the early 19th century

Performed By: T. Viswanathan (Vocals)

This piece of music is also associated with life periodicities and follows a 7 main scale in ascending order. It contains vocals that do not always have literal meaning and contains integral repetition within the scale.

Date Composed: Unknown

This work contains repeated motifs relating to Indigenous topics and releases emotional expression. There is a succession of morphemes which are parts of words or full words that have meaning but does not tell a story. The hamma has a specific pattern of the women alternating sounds containing 2 low-pitched ones followed by a high pitched sound.

Released: May 27th, 2014

This work uses breath and rhythm while alternating between voiced and in voiced sound. The dark timbre of Tanya Tagaq’s breath and the unique pitch of the violin create a strong contrast emphasizing the polyphonic sounds while still having a main melody line. Tanya Tagaq also uses her music to bring awareness of societal issues promoting societal cooperation in a different way.

Released: 1965 during the freedom march in Selma, Alabama

This piece is an example of a magnetic freedom song having strophic form. The same melody is repeated over and over again which different lyrics are layered on top. The improvising along with repetition creates entrainment and makes it more simple to join in.

Composed: 1963

This work was originally a church Hymn which the lyrics got changed to become a freedom song. The slowed down tempo and familiar rhythm makes it easier for other to join in.

Date Published: September 10th, 1964

This work is an example of a narrative and rhetorical song as it does not provide a solution but brings awareness to an issue of inequality for Black People. The upbeat fast tempo of the piano and the strings bring contrast to the motifs and sad meaning of the lyrics.

Composing Date: August 7th, 1968

This song uses a call and response form to help promote the ideas and create entrainment of the listeners. It is also an example of a rhetorical song as it does not offer a solution.

Composition Date: Unknown, can be dated back to the 16th century

This work has a very fast tempo creating a physical response. The 3 berimbau’s have a low, middle and high pitch and timbre creating diversity of the piece. The voice is the primary melody and will instruct the dancers evoking emotion. The polyrhythmic texture between these instruments along with improvisation depending on what the dancers are doing in the middle of the circle make this piece unique.

Composition Date: Unknown, released to YouTube on May 19th, 2016

The unique timbre and percussion of the water created layers of the rhythm making it homorhythmic. It contains a steady tempo and dynamics. It provides connection to natural and community.

Composition Date: Unknown, released on YouTube on January 11th, 2011

The rich polyphonic melody and rhythm come from the different layering of clapping and yodelling. The density of the patterns changing and held together by a steady tempo. This piece promotes unity of community and society along with entertainment.

Composition Date: Unknown, uploaded to YouTube on May 25th, 2008

This work has a unique timbre due to the diversity of male, female and children’s voices. The babemou are lead by the ginda and has rhythmic intensity in drumming as a texture. The yodelling makes a unique timbre when switching between the chest and head voice. The melody contains an 8 beat phrase along with 4 different pitches.

Performer: Bidani

Date Performed: August 17th, 2001

Similar to other Gamelan music this piece take place in the setting of a competition. The ombak creates unique pitch and timbre as a beating/shimmering sound. The gong cycle follows and 8 beat pattern and has emphasis on the beginning parts.

Composed: Summer and Fall of 1781

First Performed: Christmas Day 1781

Hayden’s String Quartet is commonly referred to by classical music enthusiasts as the joke. Four string instruments are used to perform this piece including the 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola and cello. He dedicated this piece to Grand Duke Paul of Russia and it premiered at his wife’s apartment in Vienna on Christmas Day. As for the name the joke it is derived from this works form. The last movement is in rondo form which in most other classical piece's would have an alternating part in a different key. This work is joyful and bright in its timbre, and when the final rondo occurs multiple pauses occur to create the allusion of uncertainty by the performers uncertain if the end of the piece has occurred. Only then to surprise the audience the last pause fades off to joke with the audience if they should clap or not fearing improper audience etiquette.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Franz Joseph Haydn, String Quartet, OP. 33, No. 2 ‘The Joke.’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Date Published: 1971

Pauline Oliveros was an American composer known for her minimalism music and the usage of electronics in music in the mid to late 20th century. In this piece individuals are invited on a shared experience to make this piece using pastiche and collage techniques blending the idea of music maker and performer. This piece avoids changes in harmony and tonality and creates a meditative environment for those near.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 2, The Elements of Music’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Date Composed: Began in 1804 and finished in 1808

These piece by Ludwig Van Beethoven was composed in Vienna Austria as he had moved there to study under Franz Joseph Haydn. This piece was first performed on December 22nd, 1908 and opera houses were closed due to Advent to lessen competition. This ended up back firing and the program along with the performers were not perfectly prepared compared to usual. This piece had one motif of ‘fate’ linking the four movements together. The first movement which was in sonata form had three parts, the expedition, development and recapitulation. Beethoven during the secondary theme of this piece made it diverse compared to other classical and romantic pieces at this time by allowing improvisation for the key of the secondary theme.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 7, Listening ant Public Concerts” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Composers: Diplo, Ezra Koenig

Release Date: August 16th, 2016

This piece performed by Beyoncé is written in the key of C major and follows repetition of form. This piece incorporates a reggae beat with some off beat rhythmic diversity making it unique to listen to. This piece is thought to have been created for emotional expression due to relationship issues and is commonly confided in for listener’s experiencing similar issues.

Composed: Began 1855, finished 1876

Published: November 4th, 1876

Johannes Brahms was born in Germany and often travelled back and forth between there and Vienna to work and compose music. This specific work of his took years to compose and was finally performed in 1876. He is known for his instrumental works such as the piece Symphony No. 1 in C minor, IV. The timbre during the introduction of this symphony involving the percussion, strings and woodwinds all simultaneously are the key elements to this piece.

Composed: Approximately 1567

The piece “Kyrie Eleison” composed by Giovanni de Palestrina was used in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican Rome for the Pope of the time. This work is composed of six parts and is unique due to the difficulty of not being able to distinguish a melody. It transforms back and forth between homorhythm and polyphonic textures. This piece is very imaginative having vocal parts be independent which was previously frowned upon by the church.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 11, Music for Spiritual Expression’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Composed: Began 1845, finished 1867

First Performed: 1868 in Munich, Germany

This piece is associated with a famous opera The Valkyrie. In this piece along with the opera each character, instrument and idea is given a theme referred to as a leitmotif. Wontons farewell tells a story of a God, Wonton having to put his daughter, Brunnhilde into a deep sleep because of her actions of disobeying him and this emotion of love and heartache expressed through the timbre and dynamics of the strings. This scene along constants 21 separate leitmotifs as each musical element is very throughout and purposeful.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 3, Music and Characterization’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Composed: April 2nd, 1888

Gymnopedie No. 1 composed by Erik Satie is a pice taking advantage to a slow tempo and timbre to create a melancholy feeling. This piece contains a walk down scale on the piano, spare texture and homophony to create this sound similar to a lullaby as well as a peaceful experience.

Composed: January 7th, 1924 on a train ride from New York to Boston

This piece combines the styles and genres of jazz and classical music into one piece to create a ‘more professional’ sounding work according to George Gershwin. The first live performance occurred on February 12th, 1924 and many elite music consumers were invited. The famous opening of a clarinet glissando was introduced as a joke but due to its uniqueness and that Gershwin enjoyed the timbre it was kept. A ritornello is used to have a returning theme throughout this work. From the jazz style and blues scale was used as well as syncopated rhythm to help diverse the classical sounding instruments.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 7, Listening at Public Concerts’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Recorded: March 5-16th, 1980

The themes within the Star Wars movies along with this piece create attachment and help strength the story line told by the characters and the music itself. The military march and rhythm following a 2:4 time help create a strong united sound evident with the theme of the movie.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 3, Music and Characterization’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Recorded: March 5-16th, 1990

The music elements of this piece include a tonic scale degree where the melody is building which is then followed by bright timbre of trumpets. This theme contrasts good from evil compared to Darth Vader’s theme to help the listener develop emotions towards the characters.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 3, Music and Characterization’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Composed: 1948

The folk sounding tracks behind western movies are unique to Aaron Coplands sound. This piece has a homophonic rhythm and melody as it is more simple and meant to not be the focus of the audiences attention. The tempos are steady, clear and asymmetrical.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 13, What is Good Music’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Composed: August 16th-21st, 2015

This piece utilizes the unique form of rap to assist in telling a story. It is very polyphonic and homophonic with many voices together to tell a story. At certain parts the melody line of the main character is isolated to help portray the importance of what is being said and highlight from the rest of the story. A large message is able to be told in a smaller amount of time and absorbed by audience members.

Composed: August 16th-21st, 2015

Immigrants by Lin-Manuel Miranda uses the form and style of rap to portray a story. The fast upbeat tempo help listeners understand a message of urgency and hurt of the themes along with the timbre of more male voices give a dark contrast and seriousness.

Composer: Marvin Winans

Released: November 25th, 2014

Performed Live: December 12th, 2015

This work combines the idea and context of maintaining and contributing to a religious identity and rituals specifically for the Christian and Catholic associated listeners. The upbeat brass timbre and along with homophony of the voices create a sound of unity and happiness due to religion.

Date Composed: Unknown but can be traced back to the 13th century

This piece of work is unknown of who composed it and exactly when it was composed. This piece is an example of sacred and secular music when translated for desire. It has a theme of troubadour often portraying the women as an object. It is sang following Gregorian Chant elements including monophonic melody’s and no meter.

Written: Around the 11th century

This work is an example of a Georgian Chant. It is monophonic, has no clear meter and also no regular rhythm. It was passed down via oral tradition and a different system of notation as it was just being introduced during this time period.

Morgan-Ellis, Esther M. “Chapter 11, Music for Spiritual Expression’” Essay. In Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Blue Ridge: University of North Georgia, University Press, 2020.

Composed: 1610

This is another example of a Gregorian Chant. It has a deeper timbre of a male voice along with containing a melisma which is one long syllable containing the melody.

Composed: 1570-1630

This work during the Renaissance Era is an example of Religious music. Salamone Rossi was a Jewish composer who lived in Venice and performed at Jewish ceremony’s. Similar to Gregorian Chants this piece contains melismas and has a monophonic melody and rhythm.