Gershwin and Rossini:
Comparison of Melody
by John and Alex
Gioachino Rossini Biography
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February 29th, 1792 to November
13th, 1868
“Italian composer known for his
operas” (Caussou)
Spent his childhood in the theater
and enjoyed singing
After his voice broke, he learned
the horn, harpsichord and violin
at Bolgana’s Philharmonic School
http://media-3.web.britannica.com/eb-media/08/38408004-1EEFF705.jpg
Rossini Bio Cont.
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Composed more than 40 operas by the age of 40 (Many of them were
comic)
Married famous opera singer Isabella Colbran in 1822, but she died in
1845
Re-married in 1846 to Olympe Pelissier
Suffered many physical and mental illnesses which separated him from
his music for a time
He later turned away from operas to compose smaller works for solo
piano or voice
Praised specifically for his melodic talents
Petite Messe Solennelle
● Divided into two parts of 7 numbers each
○ Part I
■ Kyrie, Gloria (6 subsections)
○ Part II
■ Credo (3 subsections), Preludio Religioso,
Ritornello, Sanctus, O Salutaris Hostia, Agnus
Dei
● The piece is approximately 90 minutes in duration
Petite Messe Solennelle
● Originally written for 12
choral members, 4
soloists, 2 pianos and 1
harmonium
● Rossini later orchestrated
it discreetly and the
version was not
performed until 3 months
after his death
http://www.scottbrothersduo.com/ALLIMAGES/rossini%
20petie%20messe%20solenelle.jpg
Rossini - Melody
● Simple melodic phrase is played at the beginning of
each movement, and then developed
○ ex: Kyrie (dark melody is played by
accompaniment, sung by chorus, then developed)
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● Melodies are also found to be consistent between
entire sections as well
● Melodies change through:
○ tempo changes
○ changes of instruments/voices
George Gershwin Biography
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Born September 26 1898
Died July 11 1937
Well known for being a Performer
on Piano and a Composer
Wrote mostly for Broadway
musical theatre but also wrote
some orchestral pieces
Most notable pieces are Rhapsody
in Blue and An American in Paris
Successful in blending Classical
music with styles and techniques
of Jazz and popular music
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/231877/George-Gershwin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gershwin#/media/File:
George_Gershwin_1937.jpg
An American in Paris
● Gershwin describes the piece as a rhapsodic ballet
● Structured into two different sections
○ A
■ Section A has 5 different themes
○ B
■ Section B only has 2 different themes
● Some of these themes are used more than others
○ The more used themes are used throughout the
piece, sometimes as the countermelody
Gershwin - Melody
● Repeated motives are the key feature of the Melody
○ Although the melody is repeated multiple times,
Gershwin varies the context they appear in by using
techniques such as:
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re harmonising the melody
adding a countermelody
changing the key
changing the rhythm
Melody Comparison - Differences
Rossini
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consistently smooth and lyrical,
accomplished often by voice
Each section has its own melodic
styles which are not repeated
Solo voices contain a large
amount of ornamentation
Melody frequently uses
sequences
Gershwin
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alter styles throughout the piece,
accomplished only through
instruments
Melodies reoccur throughout the
piece
Melodies hint at use of the blues
scale in some parts of the piece
Similarities
● Both pieces present a main melody and then develop it
● “Call and answer” format is used throughout the
melodies of each piece
● Both pieces’ melodies are known to be memorable
● Both pieces use repetition which is mostly why the
melodies are so memorable
Bibliography
● http://www.britannica.
com/EBchecked/topic/510222/Gioachino-Rossini
● http://www.britannica.
com/EBchecked/topic/231877/George-Gershwin
● http://www.52composers.com/rossini.html
● http://www.allmusic.com/composition/an-americanin-paris-tone-poem-for-orchestra-mc0002369844