VCE MUSIC INVESTIGATION MC05 Performance Examination 2013 Program Sheet (Solo)

STUDENT NUMBER

INSTRUMENT

PIANO

FOCUS STATEMENT TITLE

The development of keyboard transcriptions and arrangements of concertos, orchestral ballet music, lieder and popular songs - from the 18 th century through to the 21st century.

PRESCRIBED LIST WORK

LIST NAME TITLE OF WORK COMPOSER/PERFORMER

Works Composed Since 1910

Over the Rainbow from The Genius of Goerge Shearing

SHEARING, George

PROGRAM in order of performance (maximum duration 25 minutes)

FULL TITLE (Name, movement No., Op.No., from) COMPOSER (and/or arranger) DURATION (Minutes)

Widmung (Dedication) Der Muller und der Bach Over the Rainbow from The Genius of Goerge Shearing Prelude (from Incidental music to Shakespeares Hamlet) My Favourite Things Danse Russe (Petrushka)

Liszt/Schumann Liszt/Schubert George Shearing Prokofiev Hough Stravinsky

400 700 230 300 230 240

2013 VASS download Music Investigation - Solo

MUSIC INVESTIGATION Performance Examination 2013 Focus Statement

This statement must be typed, not handwritten. Two copies should be provided to the assessors when you enter the examination room.

Student number

Throughout the year I explored how the various piano transcriptions have necessitated the development of a refined and varied control of texture, dynamics, and articulation as well as a variety of pedaling techniques in order to reflect the styles, textures and expressive intent of the original versions. I investigated the following eras and styles: Later Baroque Period (concerto) Romantic Period (lieder, ballet music) Early 20th century (ballet music) Later 20th century (jazz, popular songs)

The investigation covered a wide range of techniques, which were essential in portraying the styles, textures and expressive intent of the original versions. Voicing/tonal control Finger dexterity (Over the Rainbow) Syncopated/Rhythmic pedaling Rhythmic pedaling Repetitive Octaves Rapid arpeggios Syncopation/Hemiola Rhythms Melodic counterpoint Interweaving Melody (Widmung Liszt)

Stravinsky - Danse Russe is an early 20th century virtuoso transcription of the ballet Petrushka by the composer for the young touring virtuoso pianist Arthur Rubinstein. The first movement Danse Russe uses various instrumental techniques in order to convey the orchestral dance like effect of the original ballet: - Repetitive octaves with chordal movement - Rapid/Mechanic wrist movements (repetitive octaves) 2013 VASS download Music Investigation - Solo

- Rhythmic unison of melody and accompaniment - Octave movement in contrary motion - Rhythmic pedaling (used in sections of rhythmic unison) Over the Rainbow - Harlen/George Shearing (prescribed list) s an arrangement of the popular ballad song Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, that re-examines the harmonic basis of what was an essentially diatonic popular song (compare the more traditional Keith Jarret arrangement) exploring chromatic harmony and chord substitutions.

Use of jazz and extension chords - Descending Chromatic passages (creating complex harmonic interest) - Pedaled Staccato articulation, (creates light and soft effect Voice leading (of soprano line) Widmung - Liszt is a transcription of Schumann's "Widmung" (Dedication) which features the setting of a poem by Friedrich Ruckert. Liszts transcription is set in a fantasie form and employs more idiomatic techniques for eg. - Interweaving Melody (During arpeggio section) - Rapid appreciated/idiomatic sections - choral triplets in L.H. creates thick, dense texture - Voicing of inner melodies Prelude (from Incidental music to Shakespeares Hamlet) -

Prokofiev is a piano transcription of ballet music derived from Prokovievs incidental music to Hamlet. The short transcription features various techniques that convey the constrasting texture and sections of the ballet: My Favourite things Stephen Hough is a transcription for solo piano of a song from a successful stage play (later iconic film). By the virtuoso contemporary pianist Stephen Hough it cleverly manages to combine simultaneously and contrapuntally, different melodic elements of the song by using various performance and stylistic characteristics: - Homophonic chordal textures that incorporate melody - 2 melodies in combination - 3-handed effects' (music in 3 staves) - Sequencial techniques in tie with the melodic contour - Contrasting melodies in hemiola

Der Mller und der Bach Liszt is a piano transcription of Schuberts song from Die schne Mllerin. Liszt captures the expressive cantabile characteristic 2013 VASS download Music Investigation - Solo

of Schuberts song through:

- Alto melodic line (warm resonant tone

- Unlocked and relaxed wrists (tone production)

Students should refer to

How works in the program relate to the identified area of performance focus Musical (stylistic) characteristics that will be demonstrated within the performance program (as relevant to the performance focus) Performance techniques, practices and conventions that will be evident in the performance program (as relevant to the performance focus)

2013 VASS download Music Investigation - Solo