Midterm 1 Music 468 Spring, 2015

Short Essays

You will write three essays in all. The essays should be typed with double-spaces. For the 10-point essays, think of a paragraph or two, and for the 20-point essays aim for three or more paragraphs.

Since this is an exam, I am limited in the answers that I can give if you have questions. All of these points are covered in the book and addressed during lecture.

1) Describe the three basic types of music heard in original scores during the silent film era and cites specific examples from The Birth of a Nation. (10 points) The three basic types of music heard in original scores during the silent film era were Adaptations of classical works, arrangements of well-known melodies, and newly composed music. Adaptions of classical works borrow a substantial portion of an existing composition for use in a film. In the Birth of a Nation, classical music is in dramatic and action scenes. Classical works are played during Lincoln's assassination, and also during violent and action scenes in the movie. Arrangements of well-known melodies borrow melodies to create emotions, disposition, and set the mood. An example of an arrangement from The Birth of a Nation would be works such as tunes such as “Maryland, My Maryland” and “Dixie.” Newly composed music uses new music to create themes that stand for the aspect of the story. 2) What is the role of source music in Casablanca? (10 points)
The role of source music in Casablanca is to help identify a scene, to introduce famous melodies, and to compliment moods and characters. The source music helps identify a scene by playing popular American music when a scene took place in Rick's Café, which is in the United States. While Arabian music plays when the scene is located in The Blue Parrot Cafe. The Song shows the love between Rick and Isla. Casablanca takes place during time of war so they use the music to set the mood of the desperate refugees in the film.

3) The music for Gone with the Wind is the paradigm of the Classic Hollywood film score, and the music for Citizen Kane represents, like the film as a whole, a departure. Describe the basic characteristics of the Classic Hollywood film score using Gone with the Wind and other films from this period (1933-43) for examples. Then discuss the new qualities found in the music for Citizen Kane. (20 points)