Musical Links

Similarities
Form:
Both works visit the use of A-B form, so it can be concluded that both contain some type of binary structure. However it is not just A-B alone; the form is repeated at least a few times, having the overall general form of A-B-A’-B’-A’’-B’’-A’’’-B’’’ (the amount of A and B sections differ from both works). Like most music today, Hallelujah can also be described in strophic form (verse-chorus). What makes these pieces similar is the fact that both vary each A and B sections by either varying the melodic outline or implementing various harmonies to be performed simultaneously.
Hallelujah’s A section is represented by the verse, and its B section is represented by the chorus. La Campanella’s A sections are represented by these times: 0:10-0:42, 1:20-1:52, 2:44-3:24. The B sections are represented by these times: 0:42-1:19, 1:53-2:43, 3:24-3:57. After 3:57, the piece concludes with the coda.
Dynamics
Although this is not a major link in the two works, what is also common, specifically, is the fact that both initiate with piano (refer to Figure 1 and 3 for Hallelujah and La Campanella respectively), meaning to play soft and finish off with a great extent of fortissimo, meaning to play very loudly. Pentatonix and Liszt most likely figured it would be best to introduce the main idea in the most simplistic way and end with a powerful conclusion. Hallelujah’s final chorus, in measures 104 through 139, is stated to be sung fortissimo (refer to Figure 2). La Campanella’s coda, performed from 3:57 and on, is expressed animato and fortissimo, which indicates to play with excitement and spirit (refer to Figure 4).

Figure 1: Hallelujah's piano in measures 1-4
Figure 2: Hallelujah's fortissimo starting in measure 104

Figure 3: La Campanella's piano in first 5 measures
Figure 4: La Campanella's animato/fortissimo starting on measure 130

The specific musical elements that are presented in each section of the pieces will be discussed in my next post.


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Citations

http://www.wwnorton.com/college/music/listeninglab/shared/listening_guides/liszt_the_little_bell.pdf Forney, Kristine, and Joseph Machlis. The Enjoyment of Music. Tenth ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. Print. Scores: https://musescore.com/user/358686/scores/2823556 http://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/29890
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Introduction

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Classical vs Western Pop Franz Liszt (left) and Pentatonix (right) This musical links investigation will cover the similarities and differences of musical styles between a Western Pop work and a Classical work. In this case, I will use Pentatonix’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and Franz Liszt’s piano composition of Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 2, La Campanella . Pentatonix is a 21st century American a cappella group consisting of 5 vocalists - Scott Hoying, Mitchell (or Mitch) Grassi, Kirstin (or Kirstie) Maldanado, Avi Kaplan, and Kevin Olusola. Given that they do not use instruments, these aspects are created using their mouths. Scott is the baritone, Mitch is the alto, Kirstin is the soprano, Avi is the bass, and Kevin is the tenor - however, primarily, Kevin is the group’s beatboxer. Together, the group performs covers of various hit pop songs and a few of their own compositions. Franz Liszt is a Hungarian piano virtuoso and composer who has been a prom...
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Conclusion

Because of this scrupulous musical investigation, I was able to further my knowledge of the key musical elements implemented in Pentatonix’s Hallelujah and Franz Liszt’s La Campanella . Knowing that these two works are of completely different cultures and that they were published hundreds of years apart makes it easy for one to doubt any strong musical connections. Sometimes I would think that there is not much to some portions of a piece. It is extremely fascinating to realize that there may be more sophistication than one initially perceives. The use of this modified theme and variations form is remarkably the strongest musical link between the Pop and Classical work, aside from the similar use of dynamics. Every composer or artist has their own unique flavors in which they incorporate into their music to show off to society. To find that two distinct works of art have at least one common musical link makes me ponder the fact that, maybe, music is universal. There is always a conne...
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