1. Considering the “Stabat Mater”, it is necessary to state that the sounds of male and female vocals are heard, creating a harmony and polyphony between each other. The choir consisting of traditional male and female voices represents a classical approach towards performing a classical piece of music composed and written specifically for choir performance.
As for the song “With arms wide open” performed by Creed, it is an example of traditional rock music performance with a baritone-voice vocalist leading the song accompanied by the musical band consisting of guitar, bass and drums. The overall sound appears to be more emotional and appealing compared to the first composition due to a significant simplicity of performance and higher level of sensitivity in delivered emotional message (YouTube).
2. The first piece of music consists of a vocal ensemble or a choir, consisting of vocalists singing the bass, baritone, tenor, alto, soprano and mezzo parts respectively. No accompaniment is present in this composition, as it has been probably composed particularly for choir performance only.
Creed, instead, represents a mixture of sounds played by musical instruments: drums, guitar and bass along with the vocal lines performed by the band’s lead singer (YouTube).
3. For “Stabat Mater”, just like for the Creed’s song, the dynamics and corresponding changes within the compositions are more than evident. For example, the first composition changes in the solo parts performed by different voices in accordance with the other voices changing form leading to accompanying. “With arms wide open” shows more generic development in its narration traditional for a rock song – from quiet vocal along with soft guitar chords the song changes to all band delivering a powerful amplified sound accompanied by the louder and more emotional vocal part (YouTube).
4. It remains actual for both compositions – the lyrics there are complemented by the music. For the classical piece performed by choir, the words appear to be more powerful and significant once sang by the vocal ensemble, while the lyrics of Creed are multiplied by the emotions delivered by the music.
5. Both pieces of music have been listened to and analysed according to fully musical listening plane of Copland, as the aforementioned statements and examples from music show completely musical details of the compositions avoiding discussing any emotional and/or contextual appeal of these compositions.
Works Cited
YouTube,. "Stabat Mater I Palestrina I Ars Nova Copenhagen". N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.
YouTube,. "With Arms Wide Open - Creed (Live 2009) [HD]". N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Feb. 2016.
