Kaylee Davis
MUSC103: Music Appreciation
April 17, 2023
Listening Journal:
Four Songs of the Common Practice Period
Listening Journal
Entry 1
“Palestrina: O Magnum Mysterium - Sixteen.” 2017. YouTube. YouTube. December 25.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOND6KnNGJ8.
Genre: Renaissance sacred vocal music; motet
Year: 1569
Analysis
Sound: This piece contains male and female vocals that range from low to high pitches. Some
voices sound warmer while others are brighter. The dynamics range from softer vocals to more
projected, louder vocals. At around 2:45, louder vocals fade out and stop. Around 2:50 the vocals
start up again. This piece has a polyphony texture. Vocal parts include bass, tenor, alto, and
soprano. The vocal parts often stagger in at different times and then join together to complete the
line. The sound of this piece makes the listener feel calm and emotionally connected.
Harmony: This piece has a pleasant harmony. The chords used seemed to last for a long time as
notes were held out. This is not the kind of harmony I am used to hearing in songs. I am used to
hearing one lead and either a soprano or an alto if there is even another vocal part in the song. In
this song, there are multiple vocal parts and they do not always sing at the same time. I would
not personally choose this type of harmony because it is complex, but it is powerful.
Form: This piece has two main sections which create an AB, or Binary, form.
Entry 2
“Bach, J.S. Violin Concerto in A Minor BWV 1041.” YouTube. YouTube, November 8, 2011.
Last modified November 8, 2011. Accessed April 17, 2023.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4bUCMV2oCE.
Genre: Baroque Orchestral Music
Year: Early 18th century; early 1700s
Analysis
Sound: This piece consists of violins and strings. The sound ranges from low and warm tones to
high and bright tones. The dynamic range was wide, going from very soft at times to very load at
others. There are also various crescendos and decrescendos as the music changes in intensity. An
example of this can be heard in the first 10 seconds of the piece. Here, a crescendo can be heard
as the violins speed up and increase in intensity. Sometimes all the violins play together, and
other times there are violin solos. There are three movements in this piece, and each have their
own sound and melody, but there was only ever one melody playing at a time. This piece has a
homophonic texture.
Rhythm: This piece is rhythmically active because there are three different movements, and
each movement has a different rhythm and feel. The rhythmic activity varies a lot throughout the
piece. The first movement is Allegro. The second movement is Andante. The third movement is
Allegro. The rhythm of this piece creates many emotions ranging from calm to energetic.
Form: There are three movements in this piece. The first one can be heard form 0:01 to about
3:05. The second one starts around 3:10 and ends around 8:25. The third one starts around 8:30
and ends around 11:55.
Entry 3
“Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (Full).” YouTube. YouTube, December 15, 2010. Last modified
December 15, 2010. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=4Tr0otuiQuU.
Genre: Classical period piano music
Year: 1801
Analysis
Sound: This piece consists of piano. There are three movements in the piece and they each have a
different sound. In the first movement, which begins at 0:01 and ends around 5:55, has a dark and
gloomy sound. The second movement, which begins around 6:00 and ends around 8:00, has a
bright and cheerful sound. The third movement, which begins around 8:05 and ends around
14:56, has a fast, panicky, and powerful sound. The entire piece varies in intensity but stays
moderately quiet overall. This piece is homophonic in texture.
Rhythm: This piece is rhythmically active. The rhythm and tempo vary between movements. The
tempo increases with each movement. The first movement is adagio, or slow. The second
movement is allegretto, or moderately fast. The third movement is presto, or very fast. The rhythm
of the first movement makes me feel sad and gloomy. The second movement makes me feel
cheerful. The third movement makes me feel panicked and anxious.
Form: This piece consists of three movements. The first movement alternates between low pitch
and main melody. The second movement contains a few light melodies. The third movement has
fast and fleeting melodies.
Entry 4
“Nocturne No. 2 in E Flat Major, Op. 9,2.” YouTube. YouTube, November 8, 2014. Last modified
November 8, 2014. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=bVeOdm-29pU.
Genre: Romantic Period Piano Music
Year: 1832
Analysis
Sound: The piano is the only instrument in this piece. It is soft and quiet throughout the piece,
but occasionally builds in intensity. The most intense part of the piece begins around 3:40 and
ends around 4:15. The piece has a clear sound. The overall sound creates a melancholic feeling.
There is a homophonic texture. There are smooth transitions throughout the piece using
crescendos and decrescendos.
Melody: This piece opens with a legato melody. It contains leaps which results in a disjunct
melodic contour. The melody is smooth with smooth transitions.
Form: This piece has a rounded binary form, alternating between A and B sections.
