William Tell Overture
Antonio Rossini |
 |
William Tell Overture
Antonio Rossini |
|
Rossini was born in Pesaro, Italy and died near Paris in 1868, at the age of seventy six. The two operas he was famous for include: The Baber of Seville (1868) and William Tell opera. At the age of thirty-seven he wrote the William Tell opera. The William Tell opera was the last opera Rossini composed. One of the most popular pieces of music from this opera is called the William Tell Overture.
An Overture is an instrumental composition which usually precedes an opera, oratorio, or similar work and an instrumental piece which can be performed as a separate work from the opera .
Form is the way a composer puts together
a musical piece or composition. There are several types of form. The form
of a piece is identified by using the letters of the alphabet. Letter A
represents the first big section of a composition. Letter B would indicate
that the next large section of a composition. Letter C would indicate the
next large section of a composition etc.. Every large section has smaller
parts that make up that large section. These smaller parts are called the
theme(s) of the composition.
What is a theme? A theme is a smaller musical idea that is inside a larger musical idea. For example if you have a big circle with several little squares, triangles, and rectangles inside the circle, these little shapes could be considered themes. Most overtures written after the mid sixteenth century were written with several themes. There are smaller parts that make up a theme.
The smallest part of a theme/composition is called a motive
also spelled motif. A motive can be rhythmic, melodic,
or harmonic. The is most noticeable rhythmic motif in the William
Tell Overture is the two sixteenth notes, eighth note, in combination followed
by several eighth notes. Notice the first three measures of the introduction
of the William Tell Overture. Click the staff to hear the introduction
of the William Tell Overture! After the first click listen to the rhythmic
motive within the introduction. Click on the picture again and listen to
the rhythmic motive of introduction.
This is an example of Ternary form.
Click on a picture to hear Theme a or Theme b of the William
Tell Overture!
Theme A
Theme B
Theme A
The William Tell Overture has several themes. Sometimes
these themes are repeated throughout the piece.
Click on the staff below to hear the introduction of the William Tell Overture!
Introduction!
Theme A! This
theme is repeated throughout the William Tell Overture several times. Notice
the rhythmic motive in measures one through three, two sixteenth notes
followed by an eigth notes.
Click on the staff below to hear Theme A of the William Tell Overture!
Theme B! This theme is repeated throughout the William
Tell Overture several times. Notice the rhythmic motive in measures one
through three, two sixteenth notes followed by eigth notes.
Click on the staff below to hear Theme B of the William Tell Overture!
Click on the staff below to hear Theme C of the William Tell Overture!
Theme C!
Click on the staff below to hear Theme D of the William Tell Overture!
Theme D!
Click on the staff below to hear Theme E of the William Tell Overture!
Theme E!
