Leonard Bernstein lectures 3: What makes Music symphonic?
What is American Music?
The Sound of an Orchestra
What Makes Music Symphonic? Parts 1-4
Aired date: Dec 12, 1958
Plot: Using the examples of Mozart's Jupiter Symphony and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, Bernstein demonstrates the techniques of repetition and variation in the development of symphonic music. After conducting part of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, he asks the audience to sing Frère Jacques, demonstrating the uses of sequence and imitation in symphonic composition. The final movement of Brahm's Second Symphony is then analyzed and played.
Aired date: Dec 12, 1958
Plot: Using the examples of Mozart's Jupiter Symphony and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, Bernstein demonstrates the techniques of repetition and variation in the development of symphonic music. After conducting part of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, he asks the audience to sing Frère Jacques, demonstrating the uses of sequence and imitation in symphonic composition. The final movement of Brahm's Second Symphony is then analyzed and played.
What is American Music? Parts 1-4
What is American Music? Parts 1-4
Aired date: Feb 1, 1958
Plot: From Carnegie Hall, Bernstein discusses the origins and characteristics of American music. After an extended excerpt from George Gershwin's An American in Paris and a discussion of nationalistic and folk music, excerpts from compositions by American composers Edward MacDowell, William Schuman, Virgil Thomson, and others are performed. In closing Aaron Copland conducts parts of his own Third Symphony. Note: Racist overtones are inevitable when talking about a ‘national’ music, because race identity is tied up with nationalism. Consider too the time and place of this lecture.
Aired date: Feb 1, 1958
Plot: From Carnegie Hall, Bernstein discusses the origins and characteristics of American music. After an extended excerpt from George Gershwin's An American in Paris and a discussion of nationalistic and folk music, excerpts from compositions by American composers Edward MacDowell, William Schuman, Virgil Thomson, and others are performed. In closing Aaron Copland conducts parts of his own Third Symphony. Note: Racist overtones are inevitable when talking about a ‘national’ music, because race identity is tied up with nationalism. Consider too the time and place of this lecture.
The Sound of an Orchestra Parts 1-4
The Sound of an Orchestra Parts 1-4
Aired date: Dec 14, 1965
Plot: Bernstein explains that the duty of the orchestra is to reproduce faithfully the notes and instructions of the composer. The main focus is the first half of Haydn's Symphony No. 88. The opening music is deliberately played incorrectly and errors are pointed out.
Aired date: Dec 14, 1965
Plot: Bernstein explains that the duty of the orchestra is to reproduce faithfully the notes and instructions of the composer. The main focus is the first half of Haydn's Symphony No. 88. The opening music is deliberately played incorrectly and errors are pointed out.