Music Analysis Essay

I have been studying classical vocal repertoire for five years. My interest in music began when I began taking harp lessons at age 6. As I grew up, I surrounded myself with music, singing songs with my family, performing new pieces I had taught myself. In 5th grade, I began voice lessons, and intensely participated in my middle school choir the year after. Since then, I have honed my craft as a musician and performer.

Music intrigued me because of its possibilities, the wide variety of styles, the different chords you could play and the different ways you could use those chords. Then you could layer words on top of those chords to create a song. When you’re the one making the music, however, it is simply exquisite. Over time, I began to enjoy training in classical voice because it was hard; there is so much study involved in the music, the technique and the actual vocal production. It challenges me to create something that other people enjoy just

It is part of a larger cycle of songs for voice and piano called the “Hermit Songs”. Though the overall style of Samuel Barber’s compositions is quite hard to pinpoint, The Monk and His Cat is a clear break from earlier styles. The piece has no time signature, intricate dynamic markings, fluctuates between modes, and the vocalist is never quite in sync with the pianist. This selection is one of my favorites not only because of its difficulty, but also because of the connection between the lyrics and the music. The combination of ancient text and contemporary music provides an interesting contrast, and Barber manages to weave the subject of each sentence into the melody. For example, the tone of the song abruptly shifts to a forte and staccato style on the words “you rejoice when your claws entrap a mouse,” However, with the phrase “I rejoice when my mind fathoms a proverb,” falls back to a sustained legato