Beethoven: Symphony No.9
Riccardo Muti, Conductor
Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
The Topic- Your papers must be on a composer’s composition from a composer included in the course content, unless instructed to do otherwise in the Module’s special/specific instruction. The composers must be chosen from the period of Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary. No popular music composers are acceptable for this assignment unless pre-approved (or instructed) by the instructor via e mail.
Context. A short, historical background on the piece. This should represent no more than one third of the completed assignment.
Impressions. The most important part of your review should consist of your individual perspectives on the component parts of the entire performance.
Performance Qualities.
Write about each piece or movement performed.
List the title/composer and write brief historical notes.
Using the knowledge that you gained in this course, explain the strengths and weaknesses of each performance
The paper must contain at least eight key music terms (used properly) in bold print. These terms may be selected from the timeline for the module, the module’s historical overview, the module’s learning objective sheet or from your research. Terms from previously covered modules may be incorporated later in the course. The name of musical periods (Baroque period), names of instruments (violin, cello), and title of the musical pieces (Flute concerto in F major) are unacceptable as musical terms (as part of the 8 required) after Module Two.
Response. How did the audience react to each piece in the performance?
Reference. (MLA or APA format acceptable) and/or the URLs from which you have obtained the background information (minimum of THREE sources). You may use the recital program and the concert link as two of the information sources/contexts for your critique. You may NOT use Wikipedia as one of your references for this or any other assignment.
Observation. You should observe the entire concert. You may observe the full performance, then write your critique. Or, you may observe each individual section, then sequentially write your evaluation.
Also, your review will include, but not be limited to the following points:
• A brief historical description of the pieces performed. Include a discussion of the
composer’s life and career at the time of the composition;
• When did it premiere? Where? (Historically)
• Was the premiere a success or a failure?
• Were the pieces performed considered standard repertory today, or is it obscure? An
assessment of the audience’s reaction. (Did people around you fall asleep? Was the
audience mesmerized? Was everyone coughing and shuffling, or could you have heard a
pin drop because the audience was so taken by the experience?)
• Did you feel that the performers met the challenges of the piece? (If possible, you might
listen to a recording or watch a video performance of the piece before the concert. You will
then be able to make an accurate and appropriate comparison.)
Most importantly, the majority of your report should be your opinions and impressions of
the piece and the performance. You will not be graded on your musical taste, but rather by
how well you express your thoughts.
