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another question. :-P. I'm goin do academic decathalon. I really want to study the music section but don't know how ( I have not taken a single music class in high school). our teacher gave us the academic dechathalon resource guide nad the CD. We need to do independant research on the lives of Beathovan, Haydyn, and Mozart. We also need to study various styles of music related to classical.
I don't know how to read or listen to music and need a start on something. Any ideas? I fugre I'll go to the librasry tomorrow and check out some biographies and music books. Any help? I'd like that :-P

By Conker (Conker) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 09:27 am: Edit

I have a true passion for music history, so I might be able to help you out there. I would begin by listening to some trademark works of these composers. For Haydn, you might recognize his "Surprise" Symphony No. 94, his Trumpet Concerto in Eb Major, or one of his many string quartets. For Beethoven, the 9th symphony (in full) and Fur Elise are pretty standard repetoire. You might also look into his 1st symphony, which is one of my personal favorites. As for Mozart, you'll find works in just about every classical genre: piano concertos, operas, symphonies, quartets, etc. Some of the more famous ones: overture to Marriage of Figaro, Symphonies Nos. 40 and 41, and his Requiem. I think that to be able to understand and appreciate their music is the first step to understanding their lives. Check your local library for Grove's Dictionary of Music. I remember (back when I was still in elementary school), I read two simple (but adequately detailed) books on Mozart and Beethoven that I had checked out of my school library. They were fairly old, and I can't remember the titles, but at least you can be assured that biographies of these composers do exist.

And just out of curiosity...why are you interested in doing music?

By Vtran31 (Vtran31) on Monday, October 04, 2004 - 09:35 am: Edit

It sounds pretty. I really like listening to it. and it seems very interesting. I wnat to understand it. academic decathalon gives me a good enouhg of a reason to make me pursue this curiousity.