Rostamnezhadcherati1
Mohammadreza Rostamnezhadcherati
Music Appreciation
Professor Erik Maki
April 20, 2018
A Musical Analysis: The Modesto Junior College Spring Applied Piano Concert
According to the 19th century poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Music is the universal language of mankind”. (Art Quotes) Longfellow’s quote can be endlessly discussed but one thing is for sure: Back then in Classical era in 18th and 19th century all the best composers with different nationalities and languages moved to Vienna and they had no difficulty to communicate with each other with their common language was music. On April 19, 2018 the Modesto Junior College intermediate and advanced pianist students held their piano concert in Recital Hall. All songs played by solo piano and there were no other accompaniment instruments.
The concert opened up with two pieces from the Baroque era, after that it was Sam Alipio’s turn to play a piece of music from the Classical era which was Joseph Hayden’s “Piano Sonata No. 59.” Referring to Sam’s speech, Piano Sonata No. 59 is in Sonata form and originally has 3 movements: Allegro, Adagio e cantabile, and finale but Sam only played the first movement, Allegro. The sonata’s initial Allegro is a dramatic, closely wrought movement that evolves virtually all its ideas from the main theme. The movement opened up with a theme in the tonic of E-flat and a fast tempo. First movement had such a happy, active, and charming melody. Also, the first movement was full of charm but also reflective music, the quiet repeated notes that then became the climax. The piece finally closed with a very fast tempo. Haydn wrote this Sonata in 1789 and dedicated it to Maria Anna von Genzinger. Joseph Haydn, in full Franz Joseph Haydn, was born on March 31, 1732 in Rohrau, Austria and died May 31, 1809 in Vienna. He was an Austrian composer who was one of the most important figures in the development of the Classical style in music during the 18th century. He helped establish the forms and styles for the string quartet and the symphony. He is known as the “Father of string quartet.” (Joseph Haydn)
The fourth performance from the Classical era was Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No 14, third movement.” Before starting to play performer gave a speech about history of this piece of music and why Beethoven wrote it. Beethoven had a one-sided love and dedicated this piece to a sixteen-year-old girl. The piece opened up with a very fast tempo(Presto). The mood is very dark, heavy, fast, and loud. It was played in C sharp minor key and best described as ferocious, strong and passionate. There was juxtaposition of high and low notes and upbeat tempo throughout the seven minutes and twenty seconds movement’s duration. Referring to the performer’s speech before getting started playing, this movement is a true example of Beethoven’s virtuosic ability in which contained a homophonic texture and had a heavy use of sustain pedal, a lot of sforzando notes...
