Which Of The Following Did Not Influence William Grant Still

Which Of The Following Didnotinfluence William Grant Stills Comp

Identify the influences on William Grant Still's composition, Afro-American Symphony, and determine which options did not have an impact. Then, analyze each multiple-choice question by selecting the correct answer and explaining the reasoning behind it, emphasizing why the chosen answer is accurate based on music history and theory.

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William Grant Still's Afro-American Symphony, composed in 1930, is a landmark work that synthesizes elements of African-American musical traditions with classical symphonic forms. To understand what influenced Still and what did not, it is essential to explore the origins of his musical language and the prevailing musical landscape of his time.

Possible influences include work songs, ragtime, spirituals, and hymns, which reflect the African-American oral tradition and cultural background that often shaped Still's stylistic choices. Work songs and spirituals, in particular, served as essential modes of expression and community bonding among African-American populations and have been documented as influential on numerous composers' works, including Still. Ragtime, a syncopated piano style that gained popularity in the early 20th century, also permeated the musical environment that Still was a part of, and its rhythmic vitality can be heard subtly in his compositions.

Among these, Lutheran hymns represent a Christian liturgical tradition originating from German Protestantism and are more characteristic of European classical music influences or church traditions rather than African-American musical idioms. While African-American composers sometimes incorporated hymns into their work, it was less an influence on Still's Afro-American Symphony than the other elements mentioned. Therefore, the answer to the question of what did not influence the work is D. Lutheran hymns.

Moving to the next question, Joseph Haydn's position at the Esterházy Palace was that of a servant. Haydn served as the court composer and musician, employed under the patronage system, which meant he was essentially in the position of a court servant, though his role was highly respected and creative. His responsibilities included composing music for the court and conducting performances, but he was not a nobleman or a priest. Thus, the correct answer is D. servant.

Regarding John Cage's 4'33", the piece deliberately uses no traditional scale, as its concept is centered around silence and the ambient sounds that occur during the performance. The work is composed of three movements of no traditional pitch content, corresponding with option A. None. Cage's avant-garde composition challenges conventional notions of music and tonality, emphasizing environmental sound instead.

An art song is a musical setting of a poem. This genre, prevalent in Western classical music, involves a solo voice accompanied by piano, with the music closely reflecting the nuances of the poetic text. This distinguishes art songs from other musical forms such as the Bible story settings or paintings. The correct answer is A. poem.

The function of griots in many African cultures was to serve as oral historians, storytellers, and keepers of societal memory through song. They played a crucial role in maintaining genealogies, historical events, and cultural traditions, acting as living archives of their communities. Griots were highly respected custodians of knowledge and heritage, which makes answer D, singers who kept track of governmental and historical information, passing it on in song, correct.

Stravinsky's Rite of Spring culminates in a sacrificial ritual where a maiden dances herself to death, symbolizing the renewal of nature. The sacrificial act involves a ritualistic dance that leads her to exhaustion, eventually resulting in her death. It is not through beheading, strangulation, or fire, which are less tied to the ballet's depiction. The most accurate answer is D. dancing to death, reflecting the primal and brutal imagery of the work.

Claude Debussy's primary goal as a composer was to give pleasure and appeal to the senses, embodying the Impressionist aesthetic that emphasized mood, atmosphere, and sensory experiences rather than strict formal structures or emotional extremes. His works often evoke vivid impressions and nuanced textures, favoring sensory appeal over abstract expressionism. Hence, the correct answer is B. give pleasure and appeal to the senses.

Mozart's Marriage of Figaro is based on a play by Beaumarchais. This libretto, written in Italian, was adapted into the opera by Mozart and da Ponte, reflecting theatrical and societal themes of the age. The play challenges aristocratic privilege, a theme central to the opera's plot.

A sonata da chiesa, or church sonata, was composed for liturgical settings and was typically performed in a church environment. Its purpose was to enhance religious services or occasions, making option C. church, the correct choice. This contrasts with sonata da camera, designed for secular, concert performance.

In Baroque music, a homophonic recitative likely involves a solo voice with continuo accompaniment, focusing on clarity of text and expressive delivery. Homophony emphasizes chordal support for the vocal line and is characteristic of recitative within opera and oratorio contexts. Therefore, answer A. solo voice and continuo is appropriate.

Haydn's Opus 33 string quartets were initially performed for Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, his employer and patron. These quartets helped establish the classical string quartet form and demonstrated Haydn’s mastery. The correct answer is C. Prince Esterházy.

Schubert's Erlkönig is noted for its through-composed structure, with new music for each stanza to reflect the different characters and mood transitions in the poem. This approach avoids repetition and enhances the narrative. The answer is C. through-composed.

In the cantata, the principal vocal styles include arias, choruses, and recitatives. Motet is a sacred choral work from the Renaissance, not a vocal style typically associated with Baroque or later cantatas. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Motet, as it is a different genre.

Cool jazz, emerging in the late 1940s and early 1950s, involved musicians like Miles Davis and others who explored relaxed tempos, softer tones, and intricate arrangements. Miles Davis was a key figure in its development, so A. Miles Davis is the correct answer.

Gauguin's artistic style is associated with Primitivism, which sought inspiration from non-Western, tribal, and folk art sources. His works reflect a fascination with what was perceived as "primitive" art, emphasizing bold colors and simplified forms. The correct answer is C. primitivism.

A typical program symphony has three or more movements that depict a narrative or thematic idea through music. The most common structure includes three, four, or five movements, often with descriptive titles. For simplicity and tradition, C. three is the best choice, though some may have more.

John Cage's musical influences include the incorporation of non-Western musical elements, as well as experimental sound exploration. Cage was particularly inspired by Indian classical music, especially the concept of improvisation and modal scales, influencing his experimental compositions like Sonatas and Interludes. The answer is B. John Cage.

In sonata form, modulation—changing keys—typically occurs during the development section. This section explores different tonality regions, creating contrast and tension before returning to the home key during the recapitulation. Thus, B. development is correct.

The jazz style that grew out of Louis Armstrong's cornet playing is Dixieland jazz. Armstrong's virtuosic, improvisational approach was fundamental to the Dixieland style, which emphasizes collective improvisation and lively rhythms. The correct answer is A. Dixieland.

Smetana's symphonic poem, "The Moldau," vividly depicts the Czech landscape, including natural landmarks like rivers, forests, and castles, through vivid musical imagery. It embodies Czech nationalism and nature-inspired themes. Therefore, answer A, imagery suggesting natural landmarks, is correct.

Many Romantic composers wrote music that drew from folk traditions, emphasizing expressive melodies and national identity. Choral music, folk songs, and harmonies rooted in national styles were common, reflecting a nationalist spirit. The correct answer is C. folk songs.

"Erlkönig," composed by Franz Schubert, is a quintessential Lied that sets Goethe's poem to music. It features a narrative conveyed through a continuous, through-composed structure, capturing the urgency and multiple characters of the poem. The right answer is D. Franz Schubert.

The predominant keyboard instrument during the Classical period was the piano, which replaced the harpsichord as the primary keyboard instrument due to its dynamic range and expressive capabilities. Thus, B. piano is correct.

Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel's less extensive composing career compared to her brother Felix was often attributed to the constraints faced by women, including societal expectations and limited opportunities for women composers in her time. Hence, C. female, is the reason.

The composer from New Orleans renowned for integrating African-Caribbean rhythms and Creole melodies was Louis Moreau Gottschalk. His works reflect the distinct cultural blending of his hometown and are considered precursors to American musical nationalism. The answer is C. Louis Moreau Gottschalk.

Handel's Messiah, composed in 1741, is a sacred oratorio based on biblical texts, particularly from the Old Testament. It is not an opera or cantata but a large-scale musical work performed during religious seasons like Easter and Christmas. The correct choice is C. oratorio.

Richard Wagner revolutionized opera with his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk—combining music, drama, and poetry into a unified art form called music drama. Unlike traditional operas, Wagner's works are continuous and through-composed, emphasizing a synthesis of art forms. The answer is C. music drama.

Vivaldi's The Four Seasons exemplifies program music, which aims to evoke specific ideas, scenes, or narratives beyond the music itself. Each concerto is accompanied by a poem, and the music illustrates the content of those poems vividly. The correct answer is B. program music.

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