History of Western Music (Music 330B)

Final Exam: Sample Questions and Answers (2009)

Please read the instructions carefully and allow sufficient time to complete each section.

I. Multiple Choice Questions. Please place the letter that best completes the question in the left-hand column (two points each):

1. The composer most associated with "Gebrauchsmusik" ("music for use") is: (a) Paul Hindemith (b) Carl Orff (c) Kurt Weill (d) Anton Webern

2. Which of the following is most typical of a "symphonic poem"?: (a) thematic transformation (b) sonata form (c) four movements (d) vocal parts

3. The composer whose "mystic" tendencies also included the association of colors with musical notes: (a) Claude Debussy (b) Henry Cowell (c) Alexander Scriabin (d) Gustav Mahler

4. "Sprechstimme" or "Sprechgesang" can be defined as: (a) a type of opera (b) a cross between singing and speaking (c) a type of operetta (d) spoken dialogue

Answers: 1 (a), 2 (a), 3 (c), 4 (b)

II. Identifications. In two or three sentences, please characterize the following, including historical figures, musical works, and dates where relevant (5 points each):

1. sound mass [body of sounds characterized by a particular timbre, register, rhythm, or melodic gesture, used by Edgard VarËse]

2. Ballets Russes [ballet company devoted to the performance of Russian ballet by Russian composers and Russian dancers, founded by Serge Diaghilev, premiered first ballets of Igor Stravinsky]

III. Short Answers. In one or two brief paragraphs, please answer the following (15 points each):

1. (a) Define neoclassicism in music, including important figures and works associated with this style. (b) Choose a neoclassical work and discuss a technique that makes it "neoclassical." Be as specific as you can in discussing the music, and be sure to list the composer, title, and date of the work.

[1. (a) Trend in music from the 1910s to the 1950s in which composers revived, imitated, or evoked the styles, genres, and forms of pre-romantic music, especially those of the eighteenth century. An important work is "Pulcinella" (1920) by Stravinsky. (b) "Symphony of Psalms" (1930), neotonal (or "poles of attraction"), use of E Minor and G Major.]

2. (a) Describe two of the musical innovations of Charles Ives. (b) Briefly discuss the way he applied one of them to one of his works. Be specific and be sure to include the title and date of the work.

[2. (a) quotation, polytonality, spatial relations, microtones. (b) "General William Booth Enters Into Heaven," use of hymn "There is a Fountain," quoted throughout with complete phrases at the end of the song.]

IV. Listening. Four musical excerpts will be heard twice. For each excerpt please provide the following information (5 points each):

(a) composer

(b) title of composition

(c) date of composition (as precisely as possible)

(d) genre

In addition, please answer the following question relating to one of the above excerpts (5 points):

(e) Choose one of the vocal works and summarize the text of what is being sung. If from an opera, be sure to note the character(s) singing and the dramatic situation.