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MacDowell By A Meadow Brook

Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
Edward MacDowell (1860-1908)
Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
American Composer and Pianist
Russian composer
Looked toward the past
Often composed with Ukrainian folk elements (Nationalistic)
Marks the closing of a fading era (the fin de sicle decline of the genteel tradition) Composing style was not very avant garde,
*Genteel tradition refers to the attempt to control literary and moral standards,
He was one of the more famous Russian composers
maintain social hierarchies and encourage conservative political reform.
Romantic / 1896
Romantic / 1880
1. Part of a bigger piece, a piano suite 10 Woodland Sketches
1. Battle between Russian and France
2. One of MacDowells best known pieces
Texture largely homophonic
Harmony Introduction of Chromatically altered harmony (Tonal and Functional), delayed resolution
Rhythm More advanced techniques introduced (eg. Frequent time signature changes, metrical displacement)
Genres More genres of works, hybrid genres also heard
Musical Pictorialism Figurations and clichs used to suggest references
Orchestration Bigger orchestra size available
In the fall of 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia and was quite successful temporarily. After Russian
army retreated, they burned Moscow along with all of the French resources. Napoleon then had
to retreat, losing most of his soldiers due to starvation and illness.
Cheerful and charming with a constant sense of flowing and forward motion.
Melody Why? European nationalism and musical representation
Meter remains constant throughout, though MacDowell uses varied rhythmic
1. Russian church song, Oh Lord save tey people (quotation) > Represents Russians
subdivisions to produce contrasting characters in the different sections:
praying to God to save them from the much more powerful French army.
The first section primarily triplet subdivisions and legato melody (more
2. Militaristic tune representing Russian soldiers (musical topic)
cheerful character)
3. French national anthem (quotation) shows that French army was coming
The second section more duple subdivisions and staccato articulations
4. Russian folk song, At the gate - Tsar pleads with the people to protect their
(more effervescent character)
motherland
5. God save the Tsar celebrating their victory
Orchestration
Cannons during battle and during the celebration
Church bells Representing celebration (Russians celebrate with church bells)