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Concert Analysis: The Philadelphia Orchestra

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The Philadelphia Orchestra Percussion Group performed at Widener University on October 23, 2016. The concert lasted approximately one hour and a total of five pieces were performed. The pieces they performed were called, Music of Pieces of Wood, Gainsborough, Seoul Spirit, Zones, and Little Rhumba. The group consisted of five performers, Chris Deviney, Don Liuzzi, Angela Nelson, Phillip O’Banion, and Victor Pablo. The performers used a variety of percussion instruments throughout the concert; however, some of the instruments that were used in most of the pieces were the timpani, marimbas, chimes, cymbals, and bass drums. My general reaction to the concert was that it was very relaxing and enjoyable. I was impressed with the musicians and the way they performed. The musicians were rhythmically together and seemed very prepared for the concert. The visual setup was attracting because the musicians had a variety of instruments displayed, some of which I never seen before. The atmosphere was relaxed yet intense upon the performers, which made me more attentive. The performers seemed to have put a lot of energy into the concert. I …show more content…

In this piece, I could clearly hear the melody and the instruments that supported it. The dynamics in Gainsborough changed throughout the three movements. The first movement is lively and features quick lines between the marimbas, with interruptions from the timpani. The second movement is slow and has more of a harsh sound to it. A jazzy recitative also appears in the middle of this movement, in order to change the dynamics. The last movement is quick and rhythmically active. This movement employs the concepts of melody and harmony, just not in conventional ways. Hearing the glockenspiel and marimbas helped to carry the melody. I could hear a combination of consonances and dissonances, as a result of the balance between the melody and the

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