Introduction
For this assignment, we had to study and describe a musical composition using words to develop a catalog of attributes. There are multiple ways to describe a piece of music, and it is ultimately up to the listener to interpret it. Some common attributes of music include harmony, melody, rhythm, form, and key. I choose to analyze a midi file from classicalarchives.com to be able to see the multiple layers that make up an entire piece. The name of the piece is Antonio Vivaldi: La primavera (Spring) in E, RV269, Op.8, No.1 which was originally composed in 1723 and rewritten using digital midi technology. Attached below is one performance by a talented group.
Catalog of Attributes
Beat: 90 Beats Per Minute
Sound Elements: Violin I, Violin II, Violin III, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Harmony: Cello and Bass mostly play one quarter note repeatedly which provides the beat for other instruments.
Melody: Fast and lively sound (ball dance music), distinct baroque style, noticeable contrast in dynamics, one common theme repeated, notes going up and down, many trills that sound like bird chirps.
Rhythm: Common Time
Form: The composition has three main sections that go from quick to slow to quick again.
Possible Idea
Spring is a classic piece that many musicians play both in orchestras and as a solo piece. The piece is part of four different concertos called Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. It would be interesting to train a neural network to generate Vivaldi music based on the time of year. We could create a website that generates the piece and users could come and listen. However, this could be difficult to do without a deep understanding of machine learning and procedurally generated computer music. Another possible alternative would be to take parts from each piece and mix them together.
Image Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/11/17/snow-fall-color-comparing-beauty-all-four-seasons-tidal-basin-photos/