Musical Meaning Blog: Module 4
Module 4: Musical Meaning Blog
Title: Minute Waltz Op. 64 No. 1
Performer: Lang Lang
I think this piece is related to the music and virtuosity topic in module 4 because Frédéric Chopin, the composer, is a virtuoso pianist from the Romantic Era. He grew up in Warsaw and began playing piano at a very young age. Frédéric Chopin’s technique was known to be genius and every single one of his pieces included the piano. For this piece, Frédéric Chopin was motivated to write it after admiring a little dog running around chasing its own tail.” Minute Waltz” is sometimes also called “Valse du petit chien.” The French meaning of this is “Waltz of the puppy.” Also, Frédéric Chopin was friends with Franz Liszt, another virtuoso pianist from the Romantic era.
I chose this piece because similar to the second example, I have listened to this song while completing tasks. I only ever really listen to instrumental music while I am completing tasks rather than while I am driving or hanging out with friends. When I do listen to instrumental music I usually choose a playlist filled with instrumental versions of modern songs to listen to. However, I have listened to more classical music at times and I’ve noticed this song has played on multiple different occasions. I have also listened to other pieces by Frédéric Chopin such as “Nocturne is C Sharp Minor.
Minute Waltz Op. 64 No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin is written in ABA form and has a triple meter. The tempo starts very fast then it drops to moderately fast in the middle before rising back to very fast. The mood is vibrant and animated and it has an energetic feel. Also, this song is moderately loud all throughout which adds to the energetic and animated mood. Also, the title “Minute Waltz” has the meaning of a “small waltz” yet it was not meant to be played in only one minute. Lastly, the only instrument used here is a piano.
Title: River Flows In You
Composer: Yiruma
I think this piece is related to the music and virtuosity topic in module 4 because Yiruma, the composer, is considered a popular virtuoso pianist. Yiruma is originally from South Korea. Seoul to be specific. However, when he was five years old, Yiruma moved to the United Kingdom where he first started learning how to play the piano and attended a school called Purcell School for Young Musicians. At the age of nine, Yiruma started composing pieces. Yiruma became a very talented pianist and once he graduated college he released his first album. He has gained much recognition over the years including having one of his albums number 1 on Billboard’s classical charts.
I chose this piece because I love listening to instrumental music while studying or cleaning especially with my sister. This is one of our favorite instrumental songs to listen to. Now that I’m in college, listening to this piece reminds me of doing homework in my family room with my sister when we were in high school. We often would play this song while we worked. I find it so soothing and relaxing to listen to which allows me to release stress as I work on school work or around the house.
River Flows In You by Yiruma is in the A major key and quadruple meter. The tempo starts as just moderately fast which then it gets faster in the middle before dropping back to moderately fast. The mood is relaxing and calm and it has an uplifting feel. Also, this piece starts moderately soft but gradually gets louder throughout, then goes back to being soft at the end. Lastly, the only instrument used here is a piano.
Overall, I find this piece incredibly interesting as it relates back to the module 4 topic because the composer, Yiruma, is a very talented virtuoso pianist.
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