BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Musicology 3

Question 1

Heinrich Schenker's analytical method centers on which concept?

Accepted Answer

Ursatz (fundamental structure)

Answer

Schenker proposed that tonal masterworks reduce to an Ursatz—a fundamental melodic and harmonic background structure.

Question 2

The 'Gesamtkunstwerk' concept, unifying all arts in a single dramatic work, was championed by which composer-theorist?

Accepted Answer

Richard Wagner

Answer

Wagner advocated for the Gesamtkunstwerk (total artwork) in his theoretical writings, particularly 'Opera and Drama' (1851).

Question 3

Which ancient Greek music treatise by Aristoxenus argued that musical intervals should be judged by ear rather than mathematics?

Accepted Answer

Elementa Harmonica

Answer

Aristoxenus's Elementa Harmonica countered the Pythagorean mathematical approach by prioritizing acoustic perception in determining intervals.

Question 4

The term 'musica ficta' refers to which practice in medieval and Renaissance music?

Accepted Answer

The addition of unnotated accidentals by performers

Answer

Musica ficta involved performers adding chromatic alterations not written in the score, guided by rules avoiding tritones and creating leading tones.

Question 5

Alan Lomax is best known for his contributions to which branch of musicology?

Accepted Answer

Ethnomusicology and folk music field recording

Answer

Alan Lomax was a pioneering ethnomusicologist who conducted extensive field recordings of American folk and blues music for the Library of Congress.

BM or BMus Bachelor of Music Practice Test