Description
In this section we have thought about the multiple narratives at play in Beethovens third
symphony by looking at how the music challenges formal expectations and develops over time.
Now it is your turn to try and support a narrative understanding with musical terms.
Instructions
For this assignment, listen to the linked sound file deliberately called Untitled click on this
red link and ask yourself: If this were a soundtrack, what would be happening in the story?
This might include thinking about the general atmosphere of the piece; whether a place, a
time, a sentiment is implied; what changes and what remains static; and other things that
might support a narrative trajectory (or not).
Once you have come to terms with what you think is happening (or not, as the case may
be), try to support your understanding with descriptions of the musical elements: the rhythm,
the melodies, the harmony, the form, the instruments and sounds etcetera.
Now try and write up your understanding in a short paper: Introduce what you think its
about, support for your understanding with references to the piece, and conclude.
Requirements
Your response should be 12 pages double spaced and formatted according to a style
guide (examples can be found here: https://library.mtroyal.ca/citations).
Provide at least two supporting points for your answer.
Your response should reference the musical example as course material (author Guy
Obrecht, date 2021, title Untitled [sound recording]), and when pointing to a partic-
ular moment, it should use time code.
If you cite something other than the piece itself, like a different piece of music or story,
cite youtube, spotify, apple music etc. or the source of the story.
Your response should have an introduction where you outline what you are going to talk
about. Then it should have some body paragraphs where you say what you said you
were going to talk about. Then a conclusion where you say what you said.
Suggestions
Your response can use your personal voice and experience (first person pronouns are
fine).
1
Consider grounding your understanding in relation to other music; perhaps compare
and contrast it with music that you are familiar with or music that you have learned
more about in this class.
Is there anything that you find particularly challenging about the piece? That element
could be part of your argument.
Try and address both the musical elements and the aesthetic qualities of those elements.
If you are having trouble describing the musical qualities, consider referring to a different
piece of music that you might be more familiar with.
This is not a review of the piece, (you may like or not like it but the goal is not
to convince your reader of that element), it is your chance to think and write about
musical phenomena and experience.
This is not asking you to write a story, if you want to write a story or a piece of music
or a remix, just confirm with me what you want to do to change the assignment first.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|