Western Art Music analysis- Classification of Baroque Classical etc

Western Art Music analysis- Classification of Baroque Classical etc

This assignment entails classifying western art music (analysis) doing a classification of examples such as Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Postmodern.

Western Art Music analysis- Classification of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Postmodern

Firstly, choose a Western Art Music composer that you are interested in from the Baroque (1600-1750), Classical (1750-1820), Romantic (1820-1890), Modern (1890-1950) or Postmodern (1950-1980) periods.  Popular music (pop music) composers are not acceptable for this essay (e.g., Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer).  Here are some examples of famous composers from each Western Art music period:
Baroque– Handel, Vivaldi, Bach
Classical – Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
Romantic – Chopin, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Wagner
Modern – Stravinsky, Bartok, Webern, Ives, Copland, Berg, Schoenberg, Boulez
Postmodernism – John Cage, Philip Glass, Steve Reich

Secondly, conduct an online search for the composer to obtain a list of all musical pieces composed.  Select one piece (set aside time to listen to the piece repetitively).

Thirdly, after listening to the piece, and researching the background of the composer, describe their compositional style (in general).  What are they known for?  What types of instruments do they use?  Do they use small or large ensembles?  Then, does their music create mood/atmosphere?

Fourthly, Choose a section of music from the composition–It should be 40 bars in length.  Provide the bar numbers from the score.  Break down the section of music and analyze in detail.

NOTE:

In the introduction, you will tell me the composer you will be discussing and the title of the piece.  You must also include the year of the piece.  Please remember that titles must be in itallics every time you make reference to the piece: Music in Fifths, 1969.

For this essay you will need to access the score of the piece you have selected.  If you cannot find the score, then you will need to choose another piece.  It does not need to be an original score, and you do not need to hand it in.
There are a number of online resources to access scores.  Music Notes is a good resource:  http://www.musicnotes.com
Another option is to use the textbook:  Straus, Joseph (2011) Elements of Music.  Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Pearson (3rd edition).
I would also recommend going to other University libraries (York or U of T) to search for scores.