A Poem
After reading Chapter 9, listen to the poem, "The Nature of Musical Form," read by the author, William Bronk, HERE. Listen first, then read the poem HERE. Skip the page introduction, and read the poem itself, in italics beside the vertical gray line. Think about it, and read or listen to it more than once if you find it difficult. Read the introduction afterward, if you wish, but it's not essential. In fact, I strongly recommend avoiding all commentary about a work of art, literature, or music until you have experienced it fully yourself, and articulated your own response or critique of it.
You do not need the imprimatur of the cognoscenti to decide what appeals to you and has meaning for you. (But try everything.)
It is your response to art that matters.
Musical Excerpts
Musical excerpts in this chapter, performed by Adam Matlock. In most instances, Adam plays the excerpt twice, the first time at reduced tempo. Page numbers refer to the recommended edition.
How to use excerpts: As you encounter each short musical score in the chapter, stop reading and listen to the excerpt using the videos on this page. Listen more than once if you do not recognize, in the music, the idea that Copland is presenting. Then continue reading.
Excerpts for Chapter 9
Page 98
Score for above; click to enlarge.
Page 99
Score for above; click to enlarge.
Page 100
Score for above; click to enlarge.
Page 101
Score for above; click to enlarge.
Here is a rendition of the folk song, with voice and piano, recorded around 1949.
Copland's Musical Recommendations for Chapter 9 (musical structure)
1) Schumann—Scenes from Childhood, Vladimir Horowitz
2) Beethoven—Sonata in C-sharp Minor, Opus 27, Valentina Lisitsa
On pages 99-100, Copland discusses the second movement (begins at 5:20), as an example of a-b-a (or perhaps a-a'-b-a) form (the passage in the text runs from about 5:20 to 6:00). Read his description and see if you can hear everything he speaks of, including the "certain displacement in the rhythm" when the first a section is immediately repeated.
Additional, for Chapter 9 (musical structure)
Listen for a-b-a and related patterns in these tunes.
• Dream a Little Dream of Me -- Mama Cass (I think you would say a-a-b-a-b-a.)
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love -- Queen (a-a-b-a before the guitar solo)
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