Sunday, January 26, 2020

Western Art Music | Analysis

Western Art Music | Analysis Western Art Music Western practices define art music as a musical tradition that is basically written, not transmitted by rote or in any recordings but preserved in the form of music notation. This art evolved prior to renaissance period in Europe and matured in romantic period. We can define the identity of an art work by its notated version. Earlier, the European art music was derived as a part of the traditional music. We can say that the art music concept refers to authentic and creative music. Here, I am going to describe the three famous western art music composers, who belong to the different historical periods. They are Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1824) and Alban Berg (1885-1935). Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Johann Sebastian Bach was born in year 1685 in Eisenach and was a craftsman. His father’s name was Johann Ambrosius Bach. He was an organist at St. Georges Church. His mother’s name was Maria Elisabetha Là ¤mmerhirt. His father Ambrosius taught him how to play violin and harpsichord. His relatives were professional musicians. Their posts ranged from church organists and musicians to composers. His uncle taught him the art of playing the organ. He was proud to his family’s achievement. His mother and father died in the year 1694, when he was only 10 years old. After his parents’ death, he moved away with his elder brother to Ohrdruf, where he learnt music (Geck Hargraves, 2006). His era was characterized by presence of composers who created work on the demand of employers. Bach focused on the different flavor of the music. In Weimar, as a court organist, he successfully produced organ works, and created music as desired by his patron who was the composer for the Prince of Anhalt-Cà ¶then. In Leipzig, Bach held the most long term and important position as a cantor in Church of St. Thomas. It should not be surprising that in this period, he wrote great church music. The demands from employers helped him to create work under various genres. He did work on sacred vocals that consist of 200 cantatas of church; other works consist of 20 cantatas which were under Secular vocal. Apart from this, his works comprise of music based on Orchestra, including 4 suites of orchestra, 6 Brandenburg Concertos, and for 1, 2, 3 and 4 harpsichords. 6 sonatas and partitas formed the part of unaccompanied violin under Chamber music. Bach Also composed key board music, which includes 2 volumes of Das wohltemperirte Clavier. Among the suites composed there were 6 French Suites, 6 English Suites, etc. In the field of organ music, he made contribution in about 150 chorale preludes, fantasias, toccatas, preludes, and fugues (Wolff, 2000). Bach had the quality of a student or an emulator. The music of his contemporaries constantly surrounded the composer. His study into their music gave an insight to him about the wide variety of personal and national styles as he was often engaged in the re-arranging of these pieces into different instrumental combinations. This was the unique work, which he carried all through his life thus integrating them into his own ideas. Bach had deep faith in his religion. Even his Bible was filled with various annotations and comments. These religious feelings can be very well felt in his music, which frequently strikes the listeners’ heart. Bach liked completeness in every task he did. His various works seem to move forward to attain completeness by exploring each imaginable possibility. The examples showing this attitude are two of his collections of preludes and fugues. In preparing them, Bach had made use of every possible major and minor key combinations. But this encyclopedic quality came out in his final works only. His mass in minor is a summation of his sacred style, which he redrafted from his previous pieces. Thus, to conclude, we can say that his music was unique because it constituted the human element in it (Williams, 2004). Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1824) The second composer chosen by me is Ludwig Van Beethoven. He was born on 16th December 1770, in the German town of Bonn in a musicians’ family. His father and grand father were also musicians. Till the age of eleven, his father acted as his teacher but after that he went under the guidance of the court organist C. G. Neefee. As soon as he reached the age of twelve he deputized Neefe. In this period, his first music notes were published. He remained the assistant of Neefe till the year 1787. Soon after this, at the small age of seventeen he went to Vienna. This time his visit was very short because of his mother’s illness. After five years, in 1792 he finally went to Vienna to earn his living (Powell, 1995, December). From the year 1792, he started learning composing and counter pointing under the able guidance of Salieri, Haydn, Albrechtsberger and Schenk. He simultaneously tried to establish himself as a composer and pianist. From the year 1800, Bethoven was trying hard to master the high classical style, so that he could impress the town Aristocrats. With the passage of time he was successful in establishing very good relations with them. These relations helped him secure his income for living. By the year 1809, the princes of the state, Prince Lobkowitz, Archduke Rudolp and Prince Kinsky were impressed by him and had guaranteed him yearly income. This period denoted the â€Å"early period† of his life (Cooper, 1991). From the start of the middle period, i.e. from 1809 to 1813, he enhanced and developed his high classical style into a more individualistic and dynamic style. By this time, he was able to write piano concert Nr.5, symphonies Nr. 3 – 8 and many other chamber music. At the negative side of his life, he came to know that his hearing power was being lost with the passage of time. This hearing impairment also broke his relations with the lady whom he loved. By the year 1812, his performances came to stand still because of his ailment. It was difficult for him to even handle public interaction. Some of his remember able music compositions were Symphony No.5 in C minor; Symphony No.9 in D minor â€Å"Choral†; Piano Sonata No.30 in E minor, first movement; Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor â€Å"Pathà ©tique†, Adagio cantabile and Piano Sonata No.14 in C-sharp minor â€Å"Moonlight†, Adagio sostenuto (Stanley, 2000). He lost his brother in the year 1815. After this, he tried to be in the custody of one of his nephew. Bethoven was now harassed on the matters related to this nephew. His relations with his nephew were also getting worse and he was unable to handle these circumstances; as a result, he tried to commit suicide in the year 1826. This period is also known as the late period of Bethoven’s music career. Having a fight with all these struggles along with his poverty, Ludwig Van Beethoven left the world on March 26, 1827. In the end, a brief summary of his life long contribution can be summarized year wise as following: 1800: His first Orchestral symphony; 1802: Orchestral symphony no. 2; 1803: No.3 â€Å"Eroica† orchestral symphony; 1804: a triple concerto (piano, violin, and cello), piano sonata Op.53 â€Å"Waldstein†; 1805: 1 opera, Fidelio; 1806: No.4 orchestral symphony, 1 concerto for violin, piano sonata Op.13 â€Å"Pathà ©tique†; 1808: No.6 â€Å"Pastoral† orchestral symphony; 1812: No.7 8 orchestral symphony;1816: song cycle â€Å"To the Distant Beloved† (An die ferne Geliebte); 1823: Choral music including Missa solemnis; 1824: The final â€Å"Choral† orchestral symphony (Cooper, 1991). Alban Berg (1885-1935) The First composer that I have chosen from contrasting historical periods is Alban Maria Johannes Berg. He was an Australian composer and was from the period of 19th century. Alban Maria Johannes Berg was born on 9th February, 1885 in Vienna. His father’s name was Conrad Berg, who was a positioned sales executive in the export trade. He belonged to Nuremberg but shifted to Vienna in the year 1867. His mother’s name was Johanna Anna Berg. Alban’s maternal grand father was a Viennese citizen (Bruhn, 1998). Conrad and Johanna Berg had four children. The eldest of them was Conrad. Charley was his second brother and he followed the steps of his father. Alban was third Child of his parents. The fourth Child was Smaragda. Smaragda and Alban were very close to each other (Perle, 1980). Alban’s mother Johanna was very vigorous and energetic person. Alban learnt more from his father rather than his mother. When Alban was a child he was more interested in literature rather than music. He began to compose when he was 15 years old. In the year 1903, he completed his education. Till the age of 19, he learnt the music on his own. In the year 1904, he became the associate member of second Viennese school Arnold and Anton Webern. He studied about counterpoint, music theory, and harmony with Arnold Schoenberg. He studied music for full-time by the year 1906. Alban met the singer Helene Nahowski, daughter of a wealthy family in the year 1906 (Perle, 1980). In the year 1907, he became composer. He also inscribed songs, which included his Seven Early Songs; three out of which were Bergs first openly performed work in a concert. This also featured the music of Schoenbergs pupils in Vienna. Arnold Schoenberg seems to be the most prominent person in his life. He spent 6 years with Arnold. Till 1911, he worked and studied with him. Alban Berg used to admire Arnold Schoenberg as a musician and teacher. They remained close acquaintances lifelong. Both of them developed an idea of developing variation. Alban passed the idea to his students (Bruhn, 1998). The society in which he grew up was of very helpful nature. Alban’s social environment consists of the watercolorist Gustav Klimt, the author and comedian Karl Kraus, the architect Adolf Loos, the poet Peter Altenberg, and the musical group Alexander von Zemlinsky and Franz Schreker. In the year 1913, two songs of Bergs were on Picture Postcard Texts (Perle, 1980). The music of Alban explains and demonstrates better than any other individual composer. Alban engaged a lyrical and harmonic language that resemble to the romantic style. He was the most advanced composer of this style. For the work, Alban Berg moved from a rather tonal approach to a purely atonal style. Alban created a rich mix of styles and approaches which included the language that ranges from post-romantic to purely atonal, free mixing of popular and folk elements. Alban Berg’ romantic tonal works gave ways to growing atonality and to 12-tone composition. Alban’s other works included two string quartets. His work included the Lyric Suite in year 1926; Three Pieces for Orchestra in year 1915; Orchestral music which includes Chamber Concerto in year 1925. One of his works Lulu (Opera) remained unfinished due to his death. For 3 years, i.e. 1915 to 1917, Alban served the Austrian Army. In the year 1917 he started to work for his first Opera (Wozzeck). An opera is an art in which singers and musical group perform a theatrical work. After 1920, he started to teach private pupils of Vienna. Alban’s most appreciated work is his mournful Violin Concerto, quotations from historical tonal music which includes a Bach singing group and Carinthian folk song. Alban Berg passed away in year 1935 in Vienna, on Christmas Eve. He died of blood poisoning that was caused by an insect bite. He was 50 years old at that time (Schmalfeldt, 1991). Conclusion The study of these composers reveals that they have made significant contributions in the field of western art music. Though, they all have different inspirational background but still their work in the field of sacred vocal, orchestral suits are remarkable. For example Bach made great contribution as an organist in secular vocal and composed different suits of orchestra. Bethoven was the musician having both romantic and classical styles. He was a new composer of the new age with high energy. His involvement in controversies also made him the most interesting of all great composers. The work of Alban Berg includes the two operas. The first one was Wozzeck and the second was the Lulu. His intention behind this was to include the technique of composition, which means to give theater what belongs to theater. His aim was to compose good music to develop musical content of drama and to translate poetic language into music.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

DBQ: The Enlightenment Essay

The Enlightenment known by many as the Age of Reason was a turning point in history. Man people believe that without the Enlightenment, many of the laws, and rules would exist. For example the United States Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were greatly influenced by the Enlightenment. For example, John Locke, an Enlightenment thinker highly influenced the Declaration of Independence by stating that the natural rights of people include life, liberty and property except the founding fathers changed it by stating life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The American Revolution itself has been called the embodiment of Enlightenment ideas. If the founding fathers were not influenced by some of these ideas, maybe the United Sates would not be a democracy; it could have been an absolute monarchy, aristocracy, etc. Some of our human rights would not exist if it were for the Enlightenment. Philosophers such as Montesquieu, Rousseau, Locke, and others lead to many great changes. These ideas were used by some to challenge absolute monarchies. An absolute monarchy is a government ruled by one ruler. These ideas also impacted both government and society. Some of the ideas of the Enlightenment were used to challenge absolute monarchy. One example is given in Document # 1, Montesquieu who was a French philosopher during the Enlightenment, states, â€Å"There can be no liberty with the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are united in one person or body it a persons, because such concentration is bound to result in arbitrary despotism. In this statement, Montesquieu is stating that liberty cannot exist where three powers of government are held by one person or body of persons. This is because then the people would not have rights for themselves. The idea was used to challenge an absolute monarchy the people thought that it was unfair that one person was ruling the state where as they wanted that people have a say in the government and everyone should have equal rights. Another idea used to challenge an absolute monarchy was in Document # 2. Voltaire, who was a French author and philosopher, states â€Å"†¦I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it†¦ The best government seems to be that in which all ranks of men are equally protected by the laws†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This statement challenged absolute monarchies because Voltaire believed that freedom of speech should be a right for each person. He believed that people should be able to express their thoughts and feelings. Freedom of speech is a very important right today, and it is used every day by people who express their thoughts. Also in Document # 3 Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who was a French philosopher states â€Å"Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains. † Rousseau is saying that despite the fact that man is born free, he is still tortures, still abused and has all of those free liberties taken away from him. For example, even though people in France prior to the revolution were all human, only the third estate had to pay taxes. The Enlightenment also had a large impact on both government and society. For example in Document # 5 English philosopher Locke states â€Å"Man being†¦ by nature all free, equal, and independent no one can be†¦ subjected to the political power of another without his own consent†¦ To protect natural rights governments are established†¦ Since man hope to preserve their property by establishing a government, they will not want the government to destroy the objectives. When legislators try to destroy or take away the property of people, or try to reduce them to slavery, they put themselves in to a state of war with the people who can refuse to obey the laws. This idea had a large impact on both government and society because told society that if they wanted to keep their property, they would have to establish a government that protects natural rights. This impacted the society because many people wanted natural rights and this statement influenced the society to establish a new type of government. It impacted the government because this statement told the government that if the people wanted to keep their property and other rights they would have to establish a new government meaning that the current government would have to change, so the government would be concerned. Another example of an impact on both government and society is shown in Document # 6, an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. It states, â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. † This excerpt impacts government because it states that certain rights is unalienable, meaning that they cannot be taken away from you; these include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The impact of the Enlightenment had an effect on government because before the Enlightenment governments of Europe were primarily Divine Right Monarchies, meaning a King ruled, who was selected by God. Prior to the Enlightenment people believed that if you disobeyed the King, you disobeyed God. There was no difference between the State and the Church because each State had its own religion. No one had rights; there were no checks and balances or separation of powers because only one person was in control. The upper classes had the rights causing the lower classes to be angry. The impact the Enlightenment had on society was that it gave people curiosity to why they don’t have natural rights. The ideas of the Enlightenment led to the society of France to rebel and that led to the French Revolution, therefore the ideas of the Enlightenment led people to realize that they are not being given rights that they are entitled to. As you can see the Enlightenment I considered a turning point in world history, changing man’s view of government and society. Examples of these ideas are shown in documents 1-6. Many of the ideas created by the philosophers during the Enlightenment led to many revolutions and greatly influenced many countries including the United States of America. Also these ideas led people to question and rebel for rights that they are entitled to. Some of these include freedom of speech, and equality. If the ideas of the Enlightenment were not important, many countries including the United States could have been an absolute monarchy, aristocracy, or another type of government where all citizens are not equal.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Financial Literacy: Buying and Selling Investments

Chapter 12: Buying and Selling Investments Sources of Investing Information -Magazines – Forbes, Business Week, Fortune – News Magazines: Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report -Newspapers -Wall Street Journal and Barron’s -Investor Newsletters -Standard & Poor’s Stock Reports, Moody Investors Service, and Value Line Investment Survey -Company Reports -Annual Report -Prospectus -Internet – Bloomberg, CNN Money, Kiplinger, Morningstar, Reuters Key Figures Current Stock Price- amount investors are willing to pay for a share of ownership in the company -Number of Employees – Increases in the number of employees can reflect growth or downsizing -Market Cap – The total value of a company in the stock market -Revenue – amount of money received from business activities -Net Income or Profit – amount of money earned after deducting all the business’s expenses -Profit Margin- profit shown as a percentage P/E Ratio – price-earning ratio compares the selling price of common stock to the annual profits per share -Current Ratio – measure of a company’s ability to pay its current debts from current assets Stockbrokers Full Service Brokers – qualified stock broker who provides advice about what securities to buy and sell. Discount Brokers – qualified stock broker who buys and sells securities at a reduced rate but only provides advice for a fee sometimes. Online Brokers – brokers that charge low fees with the least amount of service; no investment advice or management of assets and only sometimes research reports. Financial Planners an adviser who helps people make investment decisions to stated goals How are Financial Markets Designed? Primary Market – where IPOs or new issues of securities are sold usually directly from the company Secondary Market – where previously issued securities are sold Securities Exchange – are places for brokers to bu y and sell securities for their clients Over the Counter Market – is a network of dealers and brokers who buy and sell securities not listed on an exchange Direct Investing – involves buying securities directly from a corporation Reinvesting – involves getting stock dividends instead of cash dividendsHow are Stocks Bought and Sold? Set up an account Choose your venue (full-service, discount, online, bank, etc. ). Provide ID. Access your account online. Make minimum or regular monthly deposit Place Transactions A market order is a request to buy or sell a stock at the current market price. A limit order is a request to buy or sell a stock at a specific price. A stop order is a request to sell a stock when it reaches a certain price. A discretionary order allows the broker to buy or sell a stock to get the best price.Financial Statements

Thursday, January 2, 2020

My Journey Of A Doctor - 794 Words

My journey began in Karachi, Pakistan, where I grew up dreaming of become a physician. My father, aunts, and uncles were all doctors. My entire family dedicated many hours of their day delivering health to the most needy with compassion and medical expertise. I remember going to my father’s clinic to watch him treat patients all day long, and then spending time with the family at the end of a busy day with great satisfaction. Even though he worked all day long, I never saw him tire. He was fueled by his care for his patients. As the only child, my mom sole focus was guiding me to become a doctor. All my nighttime stories were about getting satisfaction by helping people in need. As time passed by, I developed a deep commitment to improving people’s lives by improving their health. In Pakistan, I traveled the full path to becoming a doctor. In high school, I studied day and night for the formidable medical school entrance exam. 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