Music and Art can evoke (create) an emotional (feeling) and intellectual (thinking) response in the listener and observer. A piece of music or a painting can make an individual think and feel about things in a different way, even if they are not 100% certain why. We do not always understand our emotional response to a work of art. We may experience a range of emotions, from exhilaration to indifference.
At least, that is what I think. You may have a completely different idea about how we respond to art. That’s OK. I would like you to write about how a famous piece of music and a famous work of art makes you feel and think.
Music and Art: Pair to Compare
There are two parts to this assignment
Assignment Criteria: Part A (due Friday May 22)
Choose a work of art and a musical composition from the videos that I have loaded at the top this website, that evoke similar feelings and thoughts. In other words, find a composition and a painting that you think compliment one another. Do they share a similar mood, tone. rhythm, and overall feeling.
For example, you might choose to pair:
1) The painting entitled, "Napoleon Crossing the Alps" by Jacques Louis David.
2) Antonin Dvorak-Symphony No. 9 In E minor: “From The New World”: IV Allegro con fuoco.
Create a table and compare both works of art. How do they evoke similar feelings and thoughts? I will use my example.
Napoleon Crossing the Alps: Images in Painting (look very carefully at all the detail and you might find two surprises)
Strong and powerful horse Horse leaping on two legs Wind swirling horses mane Wind swirling Napoleon’s cape Clouds in background are dark and dangerous Rugged rocky mountain White horse and gold cape suggests wealth and power Napoleon’s arm thrust forward with great sense of purpose
“From The New World”: IV Allegro con fuoco: Mood and Tempo (watch the video) Loud horns Forceful and dramatic Lots of percussion Harsh and forceful tempo Very dynamic: lots of quiet and loud parts Quiet parts are feel like the restful part of the journey Loud parts move us forward Huge crescendo near the end makes me feel our journey has come to an end
Brain storm ten or more words to describe the emotions and thoughts based on what you see in the painting and what you hear when you listen to the music.
The following words pop in to my head when I pair to compare.
Uplifting, Strength, Powerful, Forceful, Movement, Bravery Heroism, Adventure, Victory, Conquest, Journey, Military, Power, Movement, Leadership, Fearlessness, Patriotism, Identity, Nationalism, Expansion, Empire, War, Marching...you can probably come up with more.
To fully appreciate the musical composition, you will have to find a Youtube video of an orchestra playing the composition so you can listen to the piece in its entirety.
Fun Suggestion: Play both videos at the top of this website at the same time. Mute the 100 paintings video, and use the Classical Masterpieces video to accompany it. Some interesting things might happen. That's how I found my pair to compare.
When you go into your class note book, you will find a new section entitled "Music and Art." Within this section are three new pages entitled: "Classical Composer," "Famous Painter" and "Pair to Compare"
Please make sure you enter all of your notes for the composer and painter in these pages. Include a link for your Youtube video.
Assignment Criteria: Part B (due Monday June 1)
1) One paragraph about your famous artists. Include:
* Name * Date of birth * Date of Death * Birth place * Name of painting/composition * Artist style and/or instrument
2) Two or three paragraphs. Include:
* What was the artist trying to say with his/her work of art. * Greatest musical/artistic accomplishment * Additional fascinating facts about artist/composer, which might include: Greatest musical/artistic accomplishment Family background Biggest musical/art influence Interesting character traits
3) Now, the moment of truth. Do these artists have anything in common, within a personal, social or historical context?