For this final writing assignment of the term, you will be going beyond writing short essays to writing a research paper. You are asked to do background research (outside of course books and materials) on one single composer and his or her time period. Using evidence from the musical composition itself along with your background research write a 6-8 page research essay explaining how the composer reflected – or did not reflect – the particular historical and cultural environment. Please do not just summarize the composer’s life. Instead, in this essay you should seek to integrate relevant biographical material with your discussion of the music.

You may wish to consider such questions as: What were the identifying characteristics of the composer’s music, especially as shown in this composition which you are analyzing? What were the identifying characteristics of the music and the folk music of the country and time period? How do these characteristics mesh and influence one another?

This last Essay assignment is designed to synthesize or bring together your understandings of both environmental contexts and specific musical characteristics as you describe a musical work in its historical-biographical context. Please apply concepts and terms you have learned throughout the course in your essay. If relevant, you may quote from various resources (books, essays, online) etc. in your essay writing. You must attribute quotes and sources (use a simple footnote structure, see guidelines posted by instructor).

Choose one of the following musical compositions in completing ESSAY #6. (If you choose a musical work that you also used for ESSAY #5, you must address a different movement within the music, not the same movement used in ESSAY #5. ) Please note there are several new selections to chose from, as well.

Symphony Fantastique, Hector Berlioz
The Planets, Gustav Holst
Symphony of Psalms, Igor Stravinsky
The Rite of Spring, Igor Stravinsky
Petrushka, Igor Stravinsky
The Firebird, Igor Stravinsky
Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Bela Bartok
Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, Bela Bartok
Appalachian Spring, Aaron Copland
Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland
Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, Joan Tower
Petroushkates, Joan Tower
Symphony No. 2 Ellen Taffe Zwillich
Gaelic Symphony, Amy Beach

You should do research for this essay from at least 3 outside sources (books, essays, online) in addition to the course materials. All outside sources should be ‘current’ and should go well beyond general encyclopedia level. Your sources should be professionally recognized books, journals, or music compendiums. (For example, New Groves Dictionaries of Music is a professional-level biographical source). Internet sources will be accepted if they are accurately identified (web address) and documented.

The instructor will post web sites and other materials to assist you with appropriate footnoting format for this essay.

Addendum: Please attach as an “addendum” to this final ESSAY a short statement about what you liked most in your work for the class, what you found to be most challenging, and how you feel your musical experience has changed this semester. Please add any other closing thoughts you wish to include in this short statement.

For this final writing assignment of the term, you will be going beyond writing short essays to writing a research paper. You are asked to do background research (outside of course books and materials) on one single composer and his or her time period. Using evidence from the musical composition itself along with your background research write a 6-8 page research essay explaining how the composer reflected – or did not reflect – the particular historical and cultural environment. Please do not just summarize the composer’s life. Instead, in this essay you should seek to integrate relevant biographical material with your discussion of the music.

You may wish to consider such questions as: What were the identifying characteristics of the composer’s music, especially as shown in this composition which you are analyzing? What were the identifying characteristics of the music and the folk music of the country and time period? How do these characteristics mesh and influence one another?

This last Essay assignment is designed to synthesize or bring together your understandings of both environmental contexts and specific musical characteristics as you describe a musical work in its historical-biographical context. Please apply concepts and terms you have learned throughout the course in your essay. If relevant, you may quote from various resources (books, essays, online) etc. in your essay writing. You must attribute quotes and sources (use a simple footnote structure, see guidelines posted by instructor).

Choose one of the following musical compositions in completing ESSAY #6. (If you choose a musical work that you also used for ESSAY #5, you must address a different movement within the music, not the same movement used in ESSAY #5. ) Please note there are several new selections to chose from, as well.

Symphony Fantastique, Hector Berlioz
The Planets, Gustav Holst
Symphony of Psalms, Igor Stravinsky
The Rite of Spring, Igor Stravinsky
Petrushka, Igor Stravinsky
The Firebird, Igor Stravinsky
Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Bela Bartok
Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, Bela Bartok
Appalachian Spring, Aaron Copland
Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland
Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, Joan Tower
Petroushkates, Joan Tower
Symphony No. 2 Ellen Taffe Zwillich
Gaelic Symphony, Amy Beach

You should do research for this essay from at least 3 outside sources (books, essays, online) in addition to the course materials. All outside sources should be ‘current’ and should go well beyond general encyclopedia level. Your sources should be professionally recognized books, journals, or music compendiums. (For example, New Groves Dictionaries of Music is a professional-level biographical source). Internet sources will be accepted if they are accurately identified (web address) and documented.

The instructor will post web sites and other materials to assist you with appropriate footnoting format for this essay.

Addendum: Please attach as an “addendum” to this final ESSAY a short statement about what you liked most in your work for the class, what you found to be most challenging, and how you feel your musical experience has changed this semester. Please add any other closing thoughts you wish to include in this short statement.