Words and Music

Synopsis: Examines some of the issues raised when a composer sets words to music, looking at the way a composer balances the words, which need to be heard and understood, with the music, which needs to make sense on its own terms. Uses four extracts from Purcell’s opera ‘Dido and Aeneas’ to introduce the musical language devised by composers of opera. Two songs illustrate recitative and aria, which are sometimes seen as opposite poles of word setting, but the third extract, ‘Ah! Belinda’, shows that they are more often a process of give and take. A duet shows what happens when more than one person is singing at a time and highlights the composer’s use of the elements of music in striving to promote the meaning of the words.
Series: Understanding Music: Elements, Techniques and Styles, Course A214
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.
Year of production: 1994
Availability: Off-air recording licence
Sale; 1998 sale: £145.00 (+VAT +p&p)
Subjects: Music
Keywords: composers (music); opera; Purcell, Henry (1659-1695)

Producer

Mags Noble

Cast

Pat Howard

Name: Open University Worldwide
Web: http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window
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Address: Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Notes: NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk

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British Universities Film & Video Council