The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetfreek
Date: 2004-07-09 06:33
I am desperately in need of help! I know this doesn't really have to do with the clarinet, but... I'm in the IB program, and I need to write my extended essay by July 26th or I will be kicked out of the IB program. I chose my area of study (music) and my general topic (the ballets russes and its influence in shaping european music from that point on), but I can't find any books or websites that focus on the impact of the Russian ballet on the development of music never before written. Stravinsky & Balanchine : A Journey of Invention by Charles M. Joseph is one book that might be helpful; if anyone has read it, please tell me about it! Also, if you have any ideas concerning the topic itself (if you think it's too broad or too specific, or if I should focus on something else altogether), please help me! Thank you!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-07-09 13:59
clarinetfreek -
The place to start is your school library and reference librarian. If you're not on campus right now, go to your local public library, or, preferably, a nearby conservatory library, show your student ID card and ask politely for them to let you do some research there.
The library is the place to do your basic research. Right now, you need an overview, which you can get best from, say, Grove, in the articles on Les Ballets Russes, Stravinsky, Diagilev, Nijinsky, ballet, etc.
The Grove articles will have bibliographies, which are the best way to continue your research. Also, once you have names, you can look them up in Baker's, which also has good bibliographies.
Also, I think you have bitten off more than you can chew. Your topic sounds like the subject of a book, rather than a term paper. After all, entire books have been written just on The Rite of Spring and its effects on music, dance and culture. Given the short deadline, you'll have all you can do to find about about, and do justice to, a much smaller subject -- say, the effect of Stravinsky's constantly changing rhythms on the technical expectations placed on orchestral players.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-07-09 15:00
The 20 year production run of the Ballets Russes is a very large topic to cover. Obviously, it is difficult to do more than just a cursory scan with such a broad area that contains so many important musical figures.
As Ken suggested, narrow your scope to something more manageable. An essay on Diaghilev, or just the lasting effect of the first Stravinsky work performed (The Firebird, in the 2nd season) would perhaps be a better choice.
Luckily, there have been many books written about Stravinsky. These include the famous conversations with Robert Craft. They are not difficult to find...GBK
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Author: clarinetfreek
Date: 2004-07-11 03:38
Thanks! I guess I had a bit too much on my plate for such a short time period to work with. The complete, final draft isn't due until November, but I guess I need something of substance by the end of July.
Do you think the effect of The Firebird was greater than that of The Rite of Spring? And how much of a change was there on the technical expectations of orchestral players due to Stravinsky's work? I just need a brief summary so I can choose a topic before I hit the books.
Thank you!
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