Choose ONE of the following Topics to write a 1500-2000 word essay about:

1. The piano in solo chamber works, lieder and orchestral concertos

OR

2. 19th century opera

Task: Topic 1

• Discuss the role of the industrial revolution in the development of the piano in the 19th century.
• Discuss how each of the following composers used the new technologies that were incorporated into the 19th century piano to develop their own particular style:
• Ludwig van Beethoven
• Robert Schumann
• Frederic Chopin
• Felix Mendelssohn
• Provide excerpts from scores to support your discussion.
• Include discussion of solo piano music as well as chamber music, concertos and lieder as applicable.

Answer all three questions.

• Discuss how Richard Wagner fulfilled his ideas for a total artwork (Gesamtkunstwerk) in the composition of his music dramas, and the construction of the Festspielhaus at Bayreuth.
• Discuss how exoticism became evident in opera during the 19th century with reference to specific composers and their work.
• Discuss how Verdi's operas became associated with politics in the 19th century, with reference to specific operas and excerpts.

Use excerpts from musical scores to support your discussion throughout.

Word Count:

• The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion.
• It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices.
• It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Assessment criteria:

• Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
• Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
• Detailed discussion on the music with relevant music examples provided (30%)
• Ability to write clearly and logically (15%)
• Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (10%)
• Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list (10%)

Choose ONE of the following Topics to write a 1500-2000 word essay about:

1. The birth of modern music

OR

2. Art music since WWII

Task: Topic 1

• Compare and contrast the orchestral music (this includes music that was written for ballet) that came out of the following countries from the 1880s to the beginning of World War I
• Germany & Austria
• France
• Russia
• Scandinavia
• England
• What were the major artistic/political/social movements in each country that influenced composers in this period?
• Give specific examples of composers and their works to support your discussion.
• Provide excerpts from musical scores to support your discussion.

Task: Topic 2
Discuss each of the following musical styles mentioning their origins, composers who worked in these idioms, and important works.

• Neo classicism
• Total serialism
• Aleatoric music
• Minimalism
• Neo romanticism

Provide specific examples and excerpts from scores, where possible, to support your discussion.

Word Count:

• The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion.
• It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices.
• It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Assessment criteria:

• Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
• Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
• Detailed discussion on the music with relevant music examples provided (30%)
• Ability to write clearly and logically (15%)
• Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (10%)
• Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list (10%)

Choose ONE of the following two Topics to write a 2000-2500 word essay about:

1.The virtuoso & the amateur performer

Rationale: During the 19^th century, the rise of the virtuoso performer led to a dramatic contrast in the type of music that was performed in public and that which was performed in the home.

• Write an essay that describes the nature of this change and why it happened.
• Include any social changes that may have accompanied this phenomenon, or may even have been responsible for it.
• Compare the type of music that was performed in the home and on the concert platform, both at the beginning of the Romantic period and at the end of the 19^th Century.
• Mention composers who wrote both music for public performance and also for home performance, and how their styles differed for each genre.
• What was the main purpose of music written by well-known composers for amateur performers?
• Draw some conclusions from your research as to why art music and popular music had diverged so radically by the end of the 19^th century.
• Include examples of works and excerpts from music scores that illustrate this contrast.

OR

2. Many 20th century composers believed that music should awaken the social and political consciousness.

• Examine the ways that 20th century composers have used music and theatrical performance to present a particular political viewpoint.
• Comment on their effectiveness in communicating their message to the audience, and the relevance of these works at the time they were composed.
• Refer to specific examples from across the century, citing primary sources wherever possible.

Word Count:

• The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion.
• It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices.
• It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

Assessment criteria:

• Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
• Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
• Detailed discussion on the music with relevant music examples provided (30%)
• Ability to write clearly and logically (15%)
• Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (10%)
• Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list (10%)