Part 3: Listening Log

PART 3: Listening Log

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J.S.Bach: G minor fugue (the great) BWV 542/2

It was interesting to hear a polyphonic melody being played by just one instrument, such as the organ, in this example.  Although it was a flowing and technically well composed piece, the tones of the organ somehow seems to lose the individuality of each melody and the tones begin to merge into a mess of sound.

‪William Byrd: "Agnus Dei - Mass for five voices"

The choral voices in this example really display the abilities of polyphony.  The melancholic tones of some sections are contrasted by joyful high tones provided by the soprano section.  Throughout the entire composition, the gentle and praiseful music wove a harmonic picture consisting of multiple melody lines. 

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Orlando Gibbons: Organ Voluntary and Psalm 100 - Second Service

This example of Gibbon’s polyphonic composition also uses an organ to play melodies in the piece.  However, unlike the Bach piece seen earlier, this makes use of voice too.  This piece, much like the Byrd piece above, is a great demonstration of the harmonic abilities of polyphony.  The almost awe-inspiring effect of the various melodies intertwining throughout keeps this piece interesting and very dramatic. 

‪ Thomas Tallis: Spem In Alium

Wow!  It is very rare that you can say a piece of music rendered you speechless….but this is exactly what this piece did.  This mammoth composition, to include eight choirs, has all of the drama, emotion and texture a composer could wish for.  Allegedly written as a gift for Queen Elizabeth I, I think most would agree that it would make a more than fitting offering for a Monarch! 

The complexity of each melodic line can be heard at different times, yet the tonal harmony achieved, especially at crescendo moments, is quite spectacular.