... . 78 is also known as the Rain Sonata because the theme in the finale movement is one from his earlier Regenlied ("Rain Song"), op. 59 No. 3. Brahms wrote this work for Clara Schumann, the wife of Robert Schumann, both good friends. Brahms fell in love with Clara and his love is expressed in the tender melodies of these three movements. The ... . Aside from the restless development section in this first movement, the wistful mood set by the opening theme is felt throughout the sonata. Moving on, the key turns minor just for a moment creating an ominous sound until the dotted three-note mo...

• Word Count: 602
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... touch the string a second time. Unfortunately, there were a few bad aspects about the Harpsichord. One being that the dynamics of the notes on the keyboard would stay the same no matter how hard or softly they would be played. This problem was counteracted by various techniques ... and methods invented to change the notes volume. After this problem aroused, Harpsichords were soon made with two strings per note instead of one and a row of jacks for each set of strings. "Stops" and "Registers" were invented, to allow ... lower than normal pitch. Some Harpsichords were then made with two k...

• Word Count: 711
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... . The musicians presented three pieces by Johannes Brahms: "Sonata in F major for "Cello and Piano, Op. 99," "Sonata in F minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120 No. 1," and "Trio in A minor for Clarinet, "Cello and Piano, Op. 114." The performance of "Sonata in F major for "Cello and Piano, Op. 99 Allegro vivace" was truly an amazing experience and was my ... . It was measured in thirds and there was some syncopation involved when the "cello would deviate from the beat set by the piano. During the piece, both the piano and "cello would imitate each other in a counterpoint fashion. It seem...

• Word Count: 365
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... piano teacher, "He was deaf. Like Beethoven!" (p. 503). Though he was deaf, he did hear the music, but only in his head. Jing-Mei decided that because of that, she could very well take advantage of that. You see, his eyes were too old to follow along to see if she was hitting the right notes ... as "Two Kinds." Suyuan and Jing-Mei are opposites in their natures and attitudes. The title also refers to two pieces of music on the piano. As a child, Jing-Mei had considered the two parts to be separate pieces, neither of which she could master. After her mother's death, however, she ... She re...

• Word Count: 501
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... cleaning services so that her daughter could receive lessons. Her mother got the idea from the "Ed Sullivan" show when she saw this little Chinese girl playing the piano. Amy's mother pushed her so hard to become a genius because she felt that her daughter could do anything she wanted to if she tried hard enough. I ... . Amy felt like Mr. Chong could not teach her anything because he was deaf. Mr. Chong could not hear her play the piano so how could he know if she was playing the notes right. Amy's mother made her feel as if she was not good enough to be her daughter. Everything that Am...

• Word Count: 1263
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... act of defiance. Since he is unable to hear her mistakes, he is not able to track her progress. "If I hit the wrong notes because I hadn't practiced enough, I never corrected myself" (719). Jing mei becomes very angry when her mother brags about her music progress. ... I hadn't felt so bad, I would have pulled her braids and punched her stomach" (721). Jing mei's mother was embarrassed when she was subjected to the disappointing piano recital. Jing mei felt bad, but she knew her failure was deliberate. Her biggest act of revenge came when she shouted "Then I wish I"d never been born! ... ...

• Word Count: 789
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School