Midterm #1 Essays
1) Describe the three basic types of music heard in original scores during the silent film era and cites specific examples from The Birth of a Nation. (10 points) Adaptations of classical works, arrangements of well-known melodies, and newly composed music are the three basic types of music that is heard in The Birth of the Nation. Adaptations of Classical Works involve large action and dramatic scenes in most cases, but, Mass a passage in the Birth of the Nation that was attributed to Mozart that was used for the ending and also during Lincoln’s assassination. But most commonly Classical works is placed in tense, apprehensive, action and violent moments throughout the film. Arrangements of well-known melodies are primarily used to bring about emotions and create the disposition or set the moods. Tunes such as “Maryland, My Maryland” and “Dixie” are put into the film to create a brighter, not as tense view. New music which is the third basic type of music that is head in original scores during the silent film era with specific examples from The Birth of the Nation, D.W Griffith uses new music to create themes that represent the aspect of the story and also to alter the themes to reflect the changes that are occurring in the story.
2) What is the role of source music in Casablanca? (10 points) Casablanca uses source music to identify a scene, to compliment the character or mood, and to introduce the famous melody. Casablanca is set around a war and because of that the scene’s bounce back and forth between America and the Middle East. American popular music is used to identify Rick’s Café, which is in the US, while Arabian music is heard when the scene is located at The Blue Parrot Café. Again, being that the movie is ground around a war, the cheerful American music is used to compliment the mood of the desperate refugees in the film.