Lockdown Listening #7: Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Hello once more! For most people it’s half-term at the moment, but here’s another listening post anyway!
Bronze
What does this piece of music remind you of? Is it what you expected it to be?
Why do you think it is called ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and not ‘Rhapsody in Green’? What might a ‘Rhapsody in Orange’ sound like?
Can you see any instruments in the orchestra that you’ve not seen before/you might not see often? (Hint: look at the video thumbnail)
True or false - this piece stays at the same speed all the way through?
See if you can make a list of every instrument that has its moment in the spotlight during the piece
Silver
At the very start, the solo clarinet uses two distinct playing techniques - name them both.
How does this piece fit into the definition of a ‘Rhapsody’?
How many main/recurring themes or motifs can you hear? Label them with a letter of the alphabet each, and see how many times they come back.
To what extent do you think this piece can be called a piano concerto?
How would you describe the structure of the piece?
Gold
To what extent can this piece be called ‘classical’?
See if you can find 3 examples of cross rhythms, and write them out.
How would you describe the tonality of the piece?
Without looking it up, make an educated guess at roughly what decade or year this piece could have been written in.
Imagine you are curating a concert containing this piece - have a go at writing some programme notes explaining some of the background to the music and guiding the listener through some of the important sections.