Klarinet Archive - Posting 000990.txt from 2000/10

From: "Lacy, Edwin" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Repeats
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000 10:39:58 -0400

Regarding the question of how to expand a melody to what we might call
"symphonic proportions," this is a question that many music students have at
some point in their careers, usually in a class in Form and Analysis. After
such things as bi-partite and tri-partite forms are considered, and then you
move on to the more extensive sonata allegro form, some student will recall
that Mahler, for example, wrote symphonic movements that last three quarters
of an hour or more. The question always arises, "How does he do that,
without putting the audience to sleep?" (Mahler is one of my favorite
composers, but perhaps he does put some people to sleep.)

I'm sorry to say that I don't have any short cuts to the answer to that
question. To answer it fully and satisfactorily, one needs to have at least
a couple of years of basic theory, harmony and training in basic
musicianship, plus courses in counterpoint, form and analysis,
orchestration, music history and literature, and possibly study of
composition, and conducting with a strong score-reading component. In
addition, many scores of major works have to be analyzed in some detail.
Then the question posed above becomes a non-question, because the answer
becomes apparent.

I know that there are a sizable number of people who gain a deep
understanding of music without so much formal training, but for most of us
ordinary mortals, that is an unrealistic expectation.

Good luck!

Ed Lacy
EL2@-----.edu

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