Music in the Romantic Period (Music 536)

Sample Midterm Exam Questions

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

1. Salvatore Cammarano

2. Neue Zeitschrift f¸r Musik

3. melodrama

4. Wellington's Victory Symphony

II. Short Essays. In one or two brief paragraphs, please respond to the following (15 points each):

1. (a) Discuss briefly the importance of piano music in the 1820s and 1830s. (b) Using Chopin's Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23, describe one way that the musical organization is indebted to older techniques and one way that it is original to romantic music. Be as precise as possible when referring to the musical elements.

2. (a) Describe briefly the characteristics of French Grand Opera, including some of the prominent individuals who made the genre possible and the techniques that made it unique. (b) Using the scene from Meyerbeer's Le prophËte, illustrate these characteristics. Be as precise as possible when referring to musical elements and dramatic action.

III. Listening. Three musical excerpts will be heard twice. For each, please provide the following information (10 points each):

(a) composer

(b) title of the work (including the movement, if relevant)

(c) date of the work

In addition, please briefly answer the following questions (5 points each):

(d) Summarize briefly the text of one of the vocal selections (if from an opera, be sure to include the character who is singing as well as the dramatic action).

(e) One of these selections is a "cavatina." Which selection is it, and what aspect of it makes it a "cavatina"?