3.2.2 Swing Influenced Music

In this chapter, Clark explores swing-influenced music (music from the 1940s and 50s such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington), using the popular Bernstein work, Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, as an example. This chapter also discusses the various performance practices and types of instruments that were used in the first performances.

Excerpts explored in the above video:

Figure 6: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Saxophone Excerpt, Measure 17-23)

Figure 7: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Clarinet Excerpt, Measure 28-33)

Figure 8: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Saxophone Excerpt, Measure 100-106)

Figure 9: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Saxophone Excerpt, Measure 179-189)

Figure 10: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Clarinet Excerpt, Measure 632-637)

Excerpts explored in the above video:

Figure 11: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Violin Excerpt, Measure 34-47)

Figure 12: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Violin Excerpt, Measure 100-106)

Figure 13: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Violin Excerpt, Measure 179-189)

Figure 14: Bernstein – Symphonic Dances (Cello part played on Violin, Measure 656-665)

Key Points

• Understanding how to play with legato and sostenuto
• Understanding the integral role of rhythm in this style
• Understanding the types of instruments that were originally used and how this change and alters the sound
• Understand how the notation informs us about musical decisions