Music assignments Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Music assignments - Assignment Example The introductory part of the prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun has prominent parts of the harp and wind instruments. A unique feeling is created by the chromatic note sequence of the wind instrument heard in the initial stages of the Prelude. Derived harmonies and derived chords of namely 7ths, 9ths, augmented and diminished are heard creating a spectacular feeling of peace and anticipation at the same time. The feeling of the time of the day i.e., Afternoon is uniquely and clearly brought out. The song through unusual note sequence and mood changing notes introduced at the demarcation point of the stanzas of the musical piece creates a journey on its own. The undulating tone and progression and regression of notes introduce the feeling of being close to nature and natural cycles. The Afternoon of a Faun represents many feelings, peace, satisfaction, relief, fear, quest, confusion and relaxation. Quite unique and characteristic to Claude Debussy, his work is in this piece is characterised by unconventional rise and fall of tempo, intensity and notes. It involves the waxing and waning of the overall mood that the composition tries to convey. A rhythmic variation is also noticed towards the middle for the composition where stringed instruments dominant for most of the part. Claude Debussy’s unexpected harmony of strings and thought provoking combination of notes are seen in the background sequences that fill up the musical piece. The signature line of the musical piece shows Debussy’s ability to skilfully blend discordant notes into a mystical harmony and give it a life like affect. The signature line has the alternating major and minor chords playing. Debussy’s sight variation of the opening material is revealed toward the end with sharp clarinet sequences, differing in tempo, rhythm, timbre and overall texture. It is