Bedřich Smetana’s Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 15 - 1332 Words

Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 15, is the first of several pieces of music to be inspired by a tragedy in Smetana’s life. Spurred by the death of his beloved daughter BedÃ…â„¢iÃ… ¡ka (1851-1855), â€Å"an extraordinarily gifted child, [Smetana was inspired] to compose [his] chamber work in 1855.† (Large 65) The trio starts with feelings relating to Smetana’s anguish, followed by a dedication to the memory of his daughter torn between her life and death, and ending with a movement that gives eventual closure to Smetana’s loss. The style of the trio involves stylistic elements of both Schumann and Liszt, as is characteristic of several of Smetana’s musical pieces (Clapham 65) and is composed of three voices: the violin, cello, and piano. In the first†¦show more content†¦The principle theme of the third movement (See Figure 3.) is taken from the Czech folksong Sil jsem proso na souvrait† (â€Å"I was sowing millet†), a theme which Smetana also uses in his â€Å"Characteristic Variations on a Czech Fok Song† and in his â€Å"Piano Sonata in G Minor.† This song is associated with the Rebellion of the 1840s in which Czech citizens struggled to end the Absolutism power and to make Czech the national language and encourage Czech identity (Large 34). By using a theme that represents the Czech radicals’ desire to express their identity, Smetana creates a parallel to his desire to come to terms with the loss of his daughter, a part of his identity that is lost forever. Figure 3 (Smetana). The principle theme consists of a polyrhythm with couplets versus triplets, giving an uneven feel to the flow of the piece. This could express the irregularity of his dying daughter’s heart beats. This part of the piece is played presto and the melody switches off between the piano and the strings. When the strings take over the melody, the dynamics crescendo, giving a more impassioned feel. This empowered section depicts the anger Smetana felt at the loss of his daughter. Smetana ends this portion of fury suddenly and decides to enter into a new slower and softer tempo (this is a standard characteristic throughout the

Leonardo da Vinci in Milan according to Giorgione Essay Example For Students

Leonardo da Vinci in Milan according to Giorgione Essay The objective of this essay is to provide an explanation of Leonardo da Vincis life and work as an artist in context with his time spent in Milan. Following an initial introduction to Leonardos formative years in Florence (and his apprenticeship to the sculptor and painter Andrea del Verrocchio, 1435-88), I will attempt to explain the significance of his presence in Milan with detailed descriptions of his work there. Giorgio Vasari (1511-74) was also an artist and architect, but is perhaps better known for his book on the lives of well known painters, sculptors and architects (published 1550; from Cimbue to his autobiography which was included in a revised edition): Vasaris book offers his personal evaluation of the works of these artists, as well as discussions on the state of the arts. His easy, natural writing style helped to make his book one of the most enduring of art histories. His reflections on Leonardos life include insight specifically relating to his unusual character and the intellectual merit of his lifes work. Using this evidence I hope to provide valid observations on Leonardos significance as a father of the High Renaissance. Leonardo (who was christened Lionardo, the name to which Vasari refers) was born near the small town of Vinci on 15th April 1452. The town was situated in the Florentine province of Italy, where his father, Ser Piero was a notary. According to Vasari, Leonardo was somewhat of a child prodigy in his studies, but he showed little commitment to one single area, constantly finding new interests in other subjects: Thus in arithmetic, during the few months that he studied it, he made such progress that he frequently confounded his master by continually raising doubts and difficulties. He devoted some time to music Yet though he studied so many different things, he never neglected design and working in relief, those being the things which appealed to his fancy more than any other. Being very conscious of his sons talents, Ser Piero moved to Florence with Leonardo and his wife (not Leonardos mother, as he was illegitimate and never took his fathers name) to utilise them professionally. Being a friend of the artist and sculptor Andrea del Verrocchio (1435-88), Ser Piero convinced him to recruit Leonardo as an apprentice by the promise shown in his work. Verrocchio strongly encouraged da Vinci, and his admiration of his students talents convinced Verrocchio to allow Leonardo to participate in the creation of his own paintings and sculptures. According to Vasari, Leonardo was highly skilled in many fields of design, he prepared many architectural plans and elevations, and he was the first, though so young, to propose a navigable canal of the Arno River from Pisa to Florence. Vasari talks at length on the subject of Leonardos early drawing skills, delving with some depth into the aptitude of his draughtsmanship, often indicating that his works were executed like a master, which he became officially in 1478. Drawing may have been a craft in which he gleaned experience directly from Verrocchio, whos own biography by Vasari states: His drawings were) made with great patience and knowledge, among which are heads of women, with graceful manner and hair arrangements that, because of their exceeding beauty, Lionardo da Vinci always imitated. Although in 1472 he entered the San Luca guild of painters in Florence, which would indicate that he had attained a degree of professional independence, he remained with Andrea del Verrocchio until 1480. Of his earliest works, one that he painted as an assistant is the angel holding clothes, kneeling on the left of Verrocchios picture The Baptism of Christ (c. 1472-1475). Verrocchio, as indicated by Vasari, was so impressed by the implications of his pupils genius that would never afterwards touch colours, chagrined that a child should know more than he. Since Leonardos earliest large-scale work The Adoration of the Magi (begun 1481 unfinished), he had gained a reputation for leaving works incomplete, perhaps fittingly in the nature of this, his first commission an altarpiece for the chapel of the Palazzo Vecchio, the Florentine town hall, was never executed. Conveniently, Vasari attempts to provide an explanation for this force of habit: His knowledge of art, indeed, prevented him from finishing many things which he had begun, for he felt that his hand would be unable to realise the perfect creations of his imagination, as his mind formed such difficult, subtle and marvellous conceptions that his hands, skilful as they were, could never have expressed them. As to the truth of this statement, this is difficult to prove, but clarification could be seen in the great number and range of Leonardos studies and designs that never progressed further than the initial planning stages, due to his constant need to illustrate his new and innovative concepts. The Adoration of the Magi was an early illustration of Leonardos genius in technical innovation, even if it was unintentional. Despite the piece not being completed, the drawing and base painting serve to demonstrate the success of Leonardos technique of drawing straight onto the board without first having to demarcate outlines by using a collection of cartoons (preparatory sketches) as was the technique for painting in buon-fresco or in tempera. The cuban mile EssayThis provided an even greater sense of relief and a sculptural quality to paintings by using an exaggerated depiction of light and dark tones emphasising the shape of a form. I have chosen two works from this period, which by personal opinion, I consider to be the finest in his undertaking and most expressive of his paintings. The Portrait of Cecilia Gallerani (Lady with an Ermine) was painted around 1490 midway through his employment to Ludovico; indeed it is sometimes believed that the Lady was his mistress. This painting uses chiaroscuro to a great effect with modelling used around the side of the head, neck and upper chest and around the arms, clearly illustrating the depth of the figure. Notice how obscured the background is, thus making the use of sfumato impossible on the figure, except for where the torso of the ermine is cast in shadow by the Ladys hand and arm. Her clothing and jewellery appear very sophisticated and luxuriant incorporating crisp details in the fabric. The ermine itself, which was prized for its valuable fur, also acts as a designation of wealth. Dominican monks of the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery commissioned possibly the most notable painting by Leonardo in Milan, The Last Supper painted using an experimentary use of media from 1495-8. A great work in its magnitude, the composition has become the epitome of Last Supper paintings, despite its well-known fragility it still remains following attempts at restoration since 1726. It is constantly falling apart since Leonardo attempted to work in oil and tempera on plaster. Vasari wrote of the work: Lionardo has seized the moment when the Apostles are anxious to discover who would betray their Master. All their faces are expressive of love, fear, wrath or grief at not being able to grasp the meaning of Christ, in contrast to the obstinacy, hatred and treason of Judas, while the whole work, down to the smallest details, displays incredible diligence, even the texture of the tablecloth being clearly visible so that actual cambric would not look more real. Vasari also professes to Leonardos diligence in working on this project, although according to an eyewitness report from one Matteo Bandello (narrated in Novella, 1497) the artist would at times paint in the refectory from sunrise to darkness, never laying down the brush to eat or drink. Then, days would lapse in which Leonardo would not touch a brush but would either contemplate what he had painted or labour at the Corte Vecchia on the monumental clay model for the Sforza equestrian monument, and then, when the fancy took him he would take a brush and give a few touches to one of the figures; and then suddenly he would leave and go elsewhere. The painting itself has little evidence of its former glory left, although the use of both chiaroscuro and sfumato are still visible in the scenery and between the figures, and this grants the vision a certain elegance of form and composition. The arrangement of the apostle figures in groups of three is often commented upon due to the number acting as a recurring theme in the painting; often the number three was used to designate the importance of the Holy Trinity. The robes are very much in the tradition of scholarly togas; there is still even a suggestion of lurid colour still left in the cloth. It was soon after he had completed this work that Leonardo withdrew from Milan as the Duke had done to escape the French who had overrun the state, French archers also destroyed the clay equestrian colossus that Leonardo had made by using it for target practice. Leonardo only returned to Milan in 1506 under the guardianship of the ruling French governor, Charles dAmboise, and still only visited whilst undertaking commissions. Leonardos lack of popularity (in his own time, as a named artist) is surprising. He was a victim of the cultural marginality of the Milanese court as well as of his own commitment to technical and scientific projects rather than to literature, and the scarcity of works circulating under his name. To some extent this is largely true, but obviously becoming famous was not a great ambition of Leonardos. As is mentioned, there was a lack of works (paintings) that would have had a circulation around important circles: By 1503, Leonardo had forged a reputation for jilting his patrons with unfinished projects. This would surely have been the case, but what cant truly be answered is, did this make Leonardo responsible for his own lack of popularity? It never seemed to be that way to Vasari anyhow, who wrote with a very sympathetic style about Leonardo, making eloquent excuses where Leonardo could be found blameworthy. It is probably true to say that Leonardo was highly respected as a founding father of the high period of the renaissance, and all in all lead a comfortable life worthy of his standing.

Black Holes Essays (757 words) - Black Holes, Event Horizon

Black Holes Within our galaxy alone, there are millions upon millions of stars. Within our universe, there are millions upon millions of galaxies. Humans have known the existence of stars since they have had eyes. Although interpretations may have differed on what they were, they were always thought of as white glowing specks in the sky, but the mystery does not lie within what we can see, but what we can not see. There are billions of stars lighting the darkness of our universe, but the question lies in what happens when one of these enormous lamps burns out. Upon many speculations, one of the most fascinating is the black hole theory. Not any star can become a Black Hole. For instance, the possibility of our sun becoming a black hole is highly unlikely, simply because it is too small. Only a very large star has the potential to become a black hole. The definitions of black boles are somewhat skeptical. Generally, a black hole is an area of super-concentrated mass. So concentrated, that no object can escape its gravitational pull. In other words, once you get caught by it's gravitational pull, you aren't getting out again. The velocity you need to break away from a gravitational pull is called the escape velocity. Roughly, earth's escape velocity is about 25,000 M.P.H. (11.2 kilometers/second). Earth's mass is nothing compared to the mass of a star that has the potential to become a black hole. A black hole has so much mass in such a small area, that its escape velocity is greater than the speed of light. So if were all living on earth, and earth was a black hole, we would need to go at the speed of light in order to get to the moon. Even though a black hole's gravitational pull is enormous, it does have its boundary. This boundary is called the event horizon. This event horizon is the point where the black hole's gravitational pull begins. Once you cross the event horizon, there is no turning back. As stated before, the escape velocity of a black hole exceeds the speed of light, and since going faster than the speed of light is impossible, so is escaping a black hole's gravitational pull. Inside the event horizon is where the major speculation begins. Just what happens once you cross the event horizon? Well, once you cross the event horizon, you'll be spinning around the center at the speed of light. As you get closer to the center, or what scientists call the singularity, the theory of the spaghetti effect comes into play. That is, the gravitational pull of the center of the black hole is greater at your feet than your head, thus pulling stronger at your feet, and stretching you out to a point of infinite thinness. This same force is what causes the tides in our ocean, hence the name tidal forces. The time in which it takes you to witness this effect depends on the size of the black hole. A smaller black hole means that its singularity is not far away, thus killing you quicker. If you could somehow get into a horizon safely and look around, images around you would be distorted. And since light can go into a black hole, you can see outside images fine. But light won't be able to bounce of you and back, so no one would be able to see you. Although living long enough to reach the singularity is just about impossible, if you could reach it; no one knows what would happen. Basically, you would be in a place where time does not exist and all of Einstein's laws will fail. Evidence that black holes are real does exist. Even though you cannot see a black hole, as light cannot escape it, you can measure how much mass there is in an area. And if you have a large quantity of mass in a small area, there is a good chance it is a black hole. Black holes do not live forever, and as stars, they die. Speculation on their deaths is extremely speculative. The theory of black hole evaporation seems to be a popular theory on how black holes die. Black holes

Four Influential African American People

Four Influential African American People Free Online Research Papers Susan B. Anthony Born in Adams, Massachusetts on February 15,1820. As a child she was an activist of slavery. She was raised as a Quaker and was brought up as a slavery activist. She also was a temperance activist in the Daughters of Temperance (prohibition of alcohol). Since only men were able to speak at temperance rallies she was not able to be there. Susan B. Anthony suddenly became a woman suffragist. She performed many woman rights acts along with her friend Elizabeth Cady Stanton. They both organized the first woman’s state temperance society. They spoke all over the nation trying to persuade the government to treat men and women equally. She became vice president of the National Woman’s Suffrage Association (was combined with American Woman Suffrage Association) and then president at 1892. She devoted her entire life being an activist to woman rights. She died within her home in Rochester, New York on March 13, 1906 due to pneumonia and heart failure. Elizabeth Cady Stanton Borna on November 12,1815 in Johnstown, New York. She was a social activist and an abolitionist. She protested along with her husband, Henry Brewster Stanton. After the American Civil War she protested for woman rights. She was mainly concerned with the women’s parental and custody rights, property rights, employment and income rights, divorce laws and economic health of family and birth control. Along with Susan B. Anthony, she protested against the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. She became the president of the National Woman Suffrage Association from 1869 until 1892. She died of heart failure on October 26,1902. That was 20 before women were able to have the right to vote. 5 Scott Joplin Born near Linden, Texas between July 1867- January 1868. He was called the father of ragtime or the â€Å"King of Ragtime. He wrote 44 ragtime pieces, a ragtime ballet and 2 operas (Guest of Honor and Treemenshia). His known pieces â€Å"Maple Leaf Rag† and â€Å"The Entertainer†. He traveled in the south his music career performing. In 1976 he was given the Pulitzer Prize. He died in April 1, 1917. Frank Lloyd Wright Born in Richland Center, Wisconsin on June 8,1867. He was a famous American architect, interior designer, and educator. He designed offices, churches, schools, skyscrapers, hotels and museums. He built over 400 structures. He created the idea of the prairie house. He also created interior elements (furniture). He wrote 20 books and articles. A known building is Guggenheim Museum. He died on April 9,1959. Research Papers on Four Influential African American People19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraHip-Hop is ArtQuebec and CanadaMind TravelBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementThe Fifth HorsemanPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 Europe

Falkland Islands War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Falkland Islands War - Research Paper Example Even though the war ended eventually in favour of England, there Argentine claim continues to remain over the sovereignty of the region. This paper will analyze the Falkland Islands War at global level by examining the political and military engagement of both Argentina and England in the conflict and interpret the reasons why it still remains an unsolved international issue for the stakeholders. The Falkland Islands War was one of the most short-lived wars in the history. Like in any other war, the political interest of acquiring the authority over the island groups encouraged Argentina to occupy the region with its air force and navy. However, the retaliation by the British force was quick and the war ended with England defeating Argentina within seventy four days. Irrespective of its length and the number of casualties, the war is known for the impact of its result on the political conditions in both Argentina and England. Despite the sudden rise of nationalism and sympathy across Argentina, the fall of the military government was quickened by the defeat. On the other hand, England’s Conservative Party retained trust and continued through a second term after the success in the war. As per the BBC News, records of the history refers that Argentina entered the remote British colony of Falkland Islands with its military troop on 2 April 1982, and the invasion resulted in a short but fierce war between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The crisis has to be seen as a conflict of claims of both the countries over the sovereignty of the region in a critically interesting way. While Argentina wanted to establish that it had inherited the region from Spain and that they lay close to South America, it made a quick march to the islands with a view to expand the territorial regime. However, Margaret Thatcher, then Prime Minister of England chose a fight which made meaning for

Stonewall Riots Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Stonewall Riots - Research Paper Example Nevertheless, the paper will focus on discussing a brief history of the Stonewall riots and determine whether things would have changed if the history turned out differently. Several years after Stonewall riots, the issue concerning the gay has attained high publicity, which was evident through their high level of progression. There for the last few years, numerous gay activists are free to take their protests to the street leading to a significant change in the laws (Anon, 1). In fact, there are new laws, which have been established to facilitate protection of gay men and lesbian. Furthermore, there numerous regional and local organization, which are established for protecting gay rights such as the Gay Liberation Front. These organizations have actively been involved in offering services such as political activism, legal and economic assistance to the gay community. In fact, these they have been successful in their effort to help political candidates, teenagers in schools, same sex marriages and gay families and relationship. Therefore, this has led to the issue of gay becoming friendly in the society despite numerous challenge faced by gay men and lesbian in the process of facilitating their inclusion and acceptance in the community. History The Stonewall riots began on June 27 1969, when law enforcement officers raided Stonewall Inn, which was interact place for homosexuals at Christopher Street (Batie, 1). However, it was usual for police officers to raid any gay bars. In fact, this raid was one of regular occurrences where police would harass customers and apprehend transvestites, gays and lesbians. Nevertheless, the case in Stonewall Inn was different since there was a fight between gays and lesbian patrons. The fight involved the police officers and they responded by beating numerous protestors while arresting others. There were different speculations regarding cause of the fight between these patrons, whereby there are people who related the fight with the death of Judy Garland, who had died in London five days before the fight had occurred. However, this incidence was followed by other protests, thereby leading to a cultural shift during moments when people never wanted to be publicly regarded as homosexuals (Violette, 104). Therefore, after this incidence issues related to gay and lesbians were no more a secret; in fact, there were marches on Washington representing the civil rights which led to the establishment of gay pride. In this case, since 1970 the uprising has been marked through a celebration of annul gay pride march that occurs along the Fifth Avenue and across Christopher Street. Discussion The Stonewall riot in 1969 is regarded the initiation of contemporary gay and lesbian rights association; in fact, this riot lasted for six days leading to increased tension among the law enforcement officers, gay men and lesbians. However, if the history during the riot were different, things would be different concerning the cur rent situation of gay men and lesbian movement. In fact, if things had tuned differently, issues regarding human and civil rights for the gay men and lesbian would still be constrained. During 1960s, there was increased tension in American population due to increased intolerance of harassment and arrest experienced by gay men and lesbians from this police (Whitney, 1679). Therefore, if it were not

Physics in Sports Essay Example for Free

Physics in Sports Essay Everything from kicking a ball into a goal to running from one side to the other side of the field is based on physics. Physics plays a key role in sports; it can impact on a player either positively or even negatively. Gravity, friction, motion and projectile affects sport in every aspect. How physics affects Sports No matter how hard or high you kick a ball as a result of gravity it will be pulled back down to earth. Although the rate at which it descends may vary on its mass and surface area, it will still have to come down. If thrown at any other angle than 90iit will have a parabolic path (trajectory). Also air resistance and friction will reduce the rate at which the ball moves. The law of conservation of energy also plays a major role in sports. In football if you kick a ball you are transferring kinetic energy from your foot to the ball. From the pendulum balls by the side you can see how energy transfer works. If you lift the ball at left then energy will be passed on to the neighbouring ball and as a result the ball at the end will move the same distance from which it was released on the other side. Similarly in this diagram the character kicks the ball transferring kinetic energy from his foot to the ball. The ball moves and rises and therefore the kinetic energy will be converted into gravitational potential energy. Speed is another factor that is based on physics. In any sports using the force applied, time and the mass you can work out the final/initial velocity assuming that initial/final velocity is zero. Alternatively you can work out speed if you are given the time taken and distance it travels. How technological development has made the data collected more valid and reliable than with traditional methods of studying mechanics. Technology has developed at a staggering rate over the recent years. This allowed us to measure data much more accurately, as humans can make errors in timing due to reaction time both at start and end. Also the development of light gates allowed us to measure speed, time and acceleration. This can then be plotted on a graph and the graph can drawn/ edited in real time (as the measurements are taken the graph can be plotted and the line of best fit can be changed). Experiment for measuring Speed You can measure speed using a simple tennis ball. Set a straight horizontal track and makes sure it is straight. Measure the length of the track. You will need a timer to time the experiment. Roll the tennis ball through the measured distance and time it. Then use V=S/T (Velocity=Displacement/Time) to find out Speed at which it was travelling. Alternatively the velocity can be measure by setting a light gate near the end of the track and connecting it to a Data logger, and this will display the data on the screen, so that it is easier for you to read. You have to set up the data logger so that it measures speed also you have to choose the diameter of the ball which will pass through the light gate. Sources: Edexcel AS Physics Ann Fullick, Patrick Fullick, Miles Hudson, Sue Howarth Pearson (2008) page 46 47 http://www. soccerballworld. com/Physics. htm Physics World magazine, June 1998 pg 25-27. http://physics-of-sport. net/basketball. html http://www. serioussoccer. net/Documents/PhysicsofSoccer. pdf.