Music of the 20th Century

Maurice Ravel

Le Tombeau de Couperin

1.The Prelude: opens with mainly woodwinds but there is a pentatonic scale on the piano being played as well right at the beginning. The feel starts out very light and airy and as the the strings play it feels like the opening of a soft dance.

2. Forlane: Begins with strings and woodwinds taking turns carrying the melody. The strings and the woodwinds almost seem like two dancers in a dance.

3.Menuet: The Harp plays a more front position in this movement. The harp gives and angelic input. The clarinet is the main instrument throughout though.

4. Rigaudon: The tempo is faster. Most notable are the different woodwind instruments taking different solos when the tempo slows down half way through. At the end, the tempo picks back up and all the instruments return.

Gustav Mahler

Symphony No 5.

Allegro Maestoso: About 2 min in the music transitions to a softer melody with strings, I think its beautiful, however it is quick followed by dissonance as though as struggle as begun. Horn follow the dissonance it is seems as though the struggle was gloriously won. The music becomes softer as though a conversation is occurring. Then a short break occurs with mainly strings coming in followed by horns. It stays soft and flowing for a while with an oboe solo. After the solo it gradually picks up with percussion coming in. The music repeatedly crescendos and decrescendo, leading to a breaking point, followed by a softer melody and horns taking some of the lead. Half way through is a break in the music followed by dramatic percussion and another pause in the music. The following music sounds as though some one is creeping up behind someone, almost spying on them. But the music into a glorious type of sound followed by struggle and almost battle marching music. At about 14:30 the music becomes VERY dramatic followed by a brief halt. The music picks back up and leads yet again to another tipping point. Strings begin to settle the music with the horns continuing the soft melody. The music pauses and the last minute seems to set up the next part with the end being a quick dramatic ending.