Mayflower Overture, Into the Light and Sails of Time, Essay Example

This concert was performed at the San Jose State University music building. The audience was dressed in suits and women wore evening gowns. At this show my positon was that of perspective listener. Perspective listening allows the listener to interpret music based on the mood of the performer and how the music stimulates the listener emotionally.  Three pieces of performance will be highlighted in this concert review. They are Mayflower Overture written by Ron Nelson; Into the Light by Matthew West and Sails of Time by David Gullingham.

Mayflower Overture written by Ron Nelson is a musical work depicting the epic Pilgrim journey when they travelled to the new world. The rendition was orchestral; being offered in three phases. The first phase is the departure performed with a great degree of pomp and circumstance. The rendition mood is one in which the listener was expected to feel and be transformed into the events taking place in Plymouth at the time and precisely launching of the Mayflower. In the second session the musicians bring the audience into the Storm. The orchestra increases in tone and velocity giving an escalated volume impression with an enormous crescendo as if there is a ranging storm in the room. The tempo seems to have changed from common time into accelerations whereby it moved swiftly from Allegrissimo (or Allegro Vivace) – very fast (168–177 BPM)into Presto – extremely fast (180–200 BPM). At one time it would appear to invoke an element of fear in drowning. A precise description could be an excellent portrayal of a violent storm enveloping the entire audience. Even the performers seemed to be undergoing a storm since they appeared breathless during and after the rendition. The storm contrasts distinctly the two other phases, which were much calmer and sedate. It would appear that the smoothness of the departure prepared the audience for a sudden storm. Then, the third last phase “Arrival in the New World,” brings the audience into a relieved mood mingled with joy/alacrity as a new land is sighted and hope rekindled moving into s minor key conversely from major key crescendo. Distinct variations were movements from a sonata for departure and rondo for arrival.Boosey & Hawkes brought to the audience 1620 sentiments through music as the performance encompassed reverence and great optimism. Real freedom exuberance was displayed during the musical variations. This vigorous rendition lasted approximately six minutes and forty seconds.

Into the Light by Matthew West was performed in a soothing romantic tempo. Even though the story behind the song was gospel the rendition showed where romanticisms is very much as vital aspect of human spirituality which ought to be represented in Christian music. It was a solo rendition at this concert. The song is a story about life according to the one who wrote the lyrics. Thus, the musical tone expressed life experiences. They encompassed musical variations as recompense moods were communicated by the soloists. It seemed to have appealed to the audience’s sense of remorse for wrong doing committed to others in their lives. The compelling string background support tickled the soul into a realization of a God within. This first baritone voice made a distinct exclamation as well as compelled the audience to turn within and find a spiritual presence and power. During this performance the instrumental guitar stringsrhythm forced the audience into identifying with words expressed by this male performer. At one phase the performer engaged a concerto dynamic, and thenmoved slowlyinto what appeared to be a cavatina of monophonic texture. There were variations in tempo also as the performer communicated different life stories while moving into a life of light from one of desperation and guilt. They ranged between 4/4 beats per minute to a slower 2/4 ending on a high tone moving back into regular time. Precisely, the tempo glided through from apiacereinto L’istesso tempoor Lo stesso tempo. The audience become so engaged and applauded exasperatedly.

Sails of Time by David Gullingham was offered through a saxophone rendition at this concert. The music and lyrics were intended to celebrate Australian history and just merely written form entertainment. Importantly, Sydney Australia contains a rich heritage of sails depicted in the lyrics of this song being further highlighted in its historic Opera House. The music has been written for adaptions to concert bands inclusive saxophonist; trumpet; flute; clarinet and voice. The performer was a first saxophonist This type of artist plays mostly in B flat key; one octave higher than double sharps and an octave lower than soprano. The music begin with a toiling of bells usually played in B flat key. The saxophonist was at home with this part of the rendition making the bells ring through his instrument. In the subsequent phase “didgeridoo’ drone the audience was kept alive by theMarcia moderato – moderately, in the manner of a march(83–85 BPM)tempo. The saxophonists in his unique expertise had the ability of producing this musical culture. When a band is performing different instruments combine playing solo parts intermittently as well as together. However, the saxophonist similar to a single voice had to put these musical phases together in one. Approximately, the distinct phases could be identified as variations including a sonata adaptation infiltrated the rendition. It is believed that this was an artist adaptation and not simply written in the original music.

This concert was very enjoyable. From the paradigm of a perspective listener, after leaving the concert hall there were such mixed sentiments. There was the feeling of fear as if it were storming; them a soothing fearless atmosphere was surrounding me. It took a few days for meto regain my composure after viewing this concert flood with such emotional vibrations from music.