LISTENING ESSAY NATIONALISM

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University of Central Florida *

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1010

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Arts Humanities

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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2

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Sigifredo Garcia MUL 1010. Prof. Ward, Russ Dec 3 rd , 2023. Listening Essay Nationalism When comparing and contrasting Silvestre Revueltas' "Sensemaya" and Bela Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra," it is apparent that both works are highly complex and dynamic pieces of music that showcase the composers' unique styles. Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra" is a five- movement work written in 1943 and one of the composer's most well-known works. The piece was commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra and was written as a showcase for the different orchestra sections. The work utilizes a wide range of melodies and harmonies, often incorporating folk-inspired and dissonant harmonies that create a sense of tension. Bartok's use of rhythm is also highly complex, with irregular meters and polyrhythms that add to the overall complexity of the piece. In contrast, Revueltas' "Sensemaya" is a shorter, single-movement work written in 1938. The music is based on a poem by Nicolas Guillen that tells the story of a snake being killed in an Afro-Cuban ritual. The music of Cuba and other Latin American countries heavily influences the rhythms and melodies of the piece. "Sensemaya" features a wide range of percussion instruments, including bongos, maracas, and timbales, and the rhythmic patterns created by these instruments are intricate and highly repetitive. One significant difference between the two works is how they use melody and harmony. While Bartok's concerto utilizes a wide range of melodies and harmonies, often incorporating folk melodies and dissonant harmonies, Revueltas' "Sensemaya" relies more on rhythmic patterns and percussive sounds to create a sense of tension and excitement. Another key
difference is how the two works utilize the orchestra. Bartok's concerto features different sections of the orchestra playing off one another and showcasing their unique sounds. At the same time, Revueltas' piece focuses more on using percussion instruments to create a sense of urgency and excitement. Despite these differences, both works share a common theme of exploring the possibilities of music and pushing the boundaries of traditional composition. They both utilize complex rhythms and harmonies to create a unique and exciting musical experience that will captivate any listener. Additionally, both pieces showcase the composers' styles and ability to incorporate different cultural influences into their music. Another similarity between the two works is how they use musical form. While Bartok's concerto is a multi-movement work that follows a traditional form, "Sensemaya" is a single-movement work that uses a more free- form structure. However, both pieces utilize variations, rhythm, and melody changes to create tension and release. In conclusion, while Revueltas' "Sensemaya" and Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra" differ in their use of melody, harmony, and orchestration, both works are highly complex and dynamic pieces of music that showcase the composers' unique styles and push the boundaries of traditional composition. Whether it is Bartok's use of folk-inspired melodies and intricate counterpoint or Revueltas' focus on percussive rhythms and Latin American influences, both pieces will surely provide an unforgettable listening experience.
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