Music : Expressionism

‘Prettier' from five orchestral pieces is an atonal (no significant key signature) Expressionist piece of music written by Austrian composer Schoenberg (who is associated with the expressionist movement of the early twentieth century and was the founder of the second Viennese school of music). It was composed in 1909, written for a big orchestra, made up of mainly flutes oboes clarinets and bassoons.Additionally some other brass instruments and percussion play in the piece such as the trumpet, trombone, xylophone, cymbals and bass drum. Prettier' can be described as a very intense and restless piece of music with many quick changes in speed, mood and instrumentation. The translation of Prettier into English is ‘ a sudden change in fortune†, which perfectly describes the nature of this piece. One factor which makes ‘Prettier' a clear example of expressionist music is the instrumentation.In this piece the instruments are often played at the extreme of their regi sters, heightening the dramatic style which sets the stage for this expressionist piece of music by including extreme contrasts in the dynamics, which an be seen in the score of the piece where Schoenberg marks from ‘up' to ‘if. Another two factors which portray the genre of this piece are the constantly changing textures and unusual structure; there are many motifs which are changed throughout the piece however there is no concrete main melody.It is made out of complicated melodic fragments which are based on 6 notes from 12 different semitones in a scale, known as hexachord, which are almost in rondo form (abaca.. ) where the same melodic idea returns many times. The ‘a' theme, which returns more than twice, are each very different to each other and described as ‘almost unrecognizable'. This creates a sensation of unawareness , a feeling of unpredictability and suspense for the listener, we never expect what we will hear next.The idea of using free rondo fo rm is used to bring the same atmosphere, mood and feel of a motif rather than the exact, precise copy of notes. An example of a hexachord in this piece is the recurring hexachord in bar 8 , ( a, b flat, c , c sharp, e , f) laded as a motif and chord by the horns Each different section of the piece varies in length swell as the continuously varying textures and tempos. Schoenberg frequently changes the speed within Prettier. He uses a lot of different note lengths ranging from deem-semiquavers to semibreves.This use of constantly changing tempos, melodies and dynamics heightens the dramatic nature of the piece making it very exciting for the listener! The timbre, pitch and harmonies of this piece are very particular to the style of expressionism. The dissonant harmonies and clashing sounds throughout this piece create discomfort for the listener and are successfully used to convey the desired emotions of the composer, which he was aiming to express through his music.As well as the su dden and extreme changes in dynamics and rhythms in this piece, the textures vary as well. This piece has a contrapuntal texture with moments of polyphonic and homophobic textures too; ranging from a solo flute to the whole orchestra playing which provide possibilities of creating dramatic moments of climax thin the song, once again conveying deep emotions and conflict, fitting perfectly into the expressionistic genre.The melody in Prettier is fragmented and is played by all the instruments at different times throughout the piece, known as ‘agglomeration's' (tone-color melody). Additionally the melody is very angular and distinct and often uses repeated notes or short motifs, which enhances the uncomfortable feeling for the listener. Schoenberg plays with the timbre of this piece, with quick, sudden changes between families of instruments such as the brass ND woodwinds; which in result varies the sound of the piece making it more unusual and unpredictable.Prettier perfectly fi ts into the category of expressionism through the exiting use of changing dynamics, tempos, harmonies, textures, orchestral devices, melodies and rhythms, making this piece exiting and vibrant to listen to every time. Each time it is played new moments are found that were previously unknown to the listener, bringing something new to its audience each time it is heard, whether it be emotional or categorical, thus evidently fitting into the genre of expressionism.

Personality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 11

Personality - Essay Example In additions, managers should mostly engage staff with proactive personality. Workers with this type of personality look for opportunities and act on them. They exhibit initiative and stop at nothing until the opportunity effects a change in the organization, In Personality psychology, Burger, Jerry (2010) identifies five broad dimensions or domains of personality. These domains are broadly referred to as the Five Big traits of personality. Personality experts and scholars broadly support the theory known as the five-factor model on which the Five Big traits of personality derive their base. The five big traits of personality, according to the theory, include openness (O), extraversion (E), conscientiousness (C), neuroticism (N) and agreeableness (A). Burger, Jerry (2011) suggests the use of acronyms such as OCEAN and CANOE to identify the five traits collectively. The chief purpose of the theory is to give an account for different characteristics and traits in personality. Empirical research on the Big Five personality characteristics has shown, to a large extent, consistency in observations, interviews and self-description. The research, therefore, indicates that the personality tests are very accurate and reliable. Burger, Jerry (2011) defines openness as the appreciation for emotions, art, imaginations, unusual ideas, curiosity and other experiences. They reckon that staffs that are open to new experiences are willing to try new ventures, intellectually curious and sensitive to changes in the organization. Unlike closed people, open people are very creative and more conscious of their feelings. Burger, Jerry (2011) adds that open people not likely to hold conventional beliefs. Open people prefer novelty to familiarity, and they do not resist change. A conscientious person acts dutifully, is self-disciplined and achieves above the expectations.

A company profile for a company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A company profile for a company - Essay Example In other words this type of structure facilitates decentralization. The corporate staffs at GE are divided into 5 sub divisions. The key subdivision of the corporate staff at GE are Commercial public relations, Legal, Global research, Human resource and Finance. The organization structure of GE shows that it is headed by the corporate executive office. They are in turn supported by shareowners and board of directors. The corporate executive office in turn elects a chairman and CEO. In 2014 the total no. of employees who worked in GE are 307,000. In 2014 the chairman and CEO of the company was Jeffrey R. Immelt. In 2014 GE had 2 vice presidents namely Keith S. Sherin and John G. Rice. They were additionally holding the post of president and CEO of GE capital and Global growth and operations respectively. The president and CEO of other divisions was namely Charles Bankenship for appliances and lighting division, John L Flannery of healthcare division, David L. Joyce of GE Aviation, Rus sell Stokes of GE transportation, Stephen R. Bolze for GE power and water, Lorenzo Simonelli for Oil and Gas division and Mark W. Begor for GE energy management. GE has many divisions and manufactures several things. In fact GE is a conglomerate of several divisions. The various subdivisions of GE are capital, appliances and lightning, healthcare, aviation, transportation, power and water, oil and gas, energy management and Global growth and operations. The main products that GE thus manufactures are lighting appliances. In the power, water, oil and gas sectors too GE is the leader as GE provides power, water, oil and gas. GE aviation is a subsidiary of the general electric and is one of the major suppliers of aircraft engines for the commercial aircrafts that operate. The major competitors of GE aviation are Rolls-Royce and Pratt and Whitney. GE aviation is amongst the top aircraft engine suppliers.

Stagnant Sales Growth Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Stagnant Sales Growth - Research Proposal Example Particularly affected is the retail trade industry which comprises a large segment of consumer sales. This study will provide an insight and over view to answer the question, â€Å"How has the retail industry performed over 2008?† It will particularly address employment issues and factors that affect the retail industry There are a big number of consumers in US, a representative number of labor forces in the retail trade industry, and billions of dollar investments in retail industry that has been in one way or another adversely affected by the economic crisis. Archival information will be gathered from existing journals, web reports and information and cross referenced for validity. The number of literatures to be reviewed will depend on the availability of references and practical use to study. Research instruments to be used are data collection and gathering thru published literatures. Published data will come from reliable information providers and knowledgeable organization that can support information. Studies on previous sales growth of the retail industry will be reviewed and compared with the present situation. News, reports and other allied information about employment and sales in the industry will be shown. Similar situations in other countries will also be presented to show that this is a real situation. The review of literature supports the hypotheses statement, â€Å"Are sales and employment growth affected by the economic crisis.† The global economic crisis is an overused clichà ©, but it has made an impact on the retail trade industry. First, the growth of the retail industry felt the slump during the 2008 onwards, and it is forecast to move on till 2010. Second, employment was badly hurt by recession that cut offs are unavoidable in many retail institutions in the United States. These undue activities have affected the performance of the retail industry not only in

3 works of art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

3 works of art - Essay Example The gown looks like the nun uniform and she is lazily enveloped into the reverie or dream about the angel. This is an epitome of the spiritualism that an image can depict. Moreover, the environment that hooks up the angel and St.Teresa looks dreamy, implying the supernatural feeling that the paint is showing. In this paint, Caravaggio is showing a pretty realistic image of St.peter being crucified. He is keen on the posture of the people and the wood used to make the crucifix. It is a paint that shows the crucifixion of St.Peter as he asked people to do. He is crucified upside down as a symbol of not imitating his Lord Jesus Christ. The painting is so real that it shows the cloth that is wrapped around him to conceal his loins, the people lifting the cross and the obscurity of their faces in the shadows. The picture arouses feelings of sadness by looking at the way St.Peter has left his mouth open with his long beard and dully eyes, showing so much pain. The people lifting the crucifix are also showing fatigue since it is clear that they are straining to life the crucifix to its intended right position. This paint is a fascinating image that describes the evolution of the Catholic Church by Peter Paul Rubens. He is so artistic in the painting of women and men in their full physical features laying on each other in various postures. There is also the presence of leopards in shady trying to roar at the infants on the ground. This is a description of the spread of Catholic Churches across the world and the numerous challenges it has faced, behind the leopards, the adults and the infants is a dark blue sky that is not fully clear. It shows the beautiful sky, symbolizing the hope and feasibility of the Catholic Church

Motivation and job performance of employees Essay

Motivation and job performance of employees - Essay Example We also try to identify some flaws in the ideas and implementations in the ways organisation carry out the motivation, performance appraisal and reward system. Organisations have failed to realise that employee’s needs are not consistent and numerous factors are not taken into consideration before some of these factors actually contribute in demotivating employees. The analysis hopes to prove that rewards are not directly responsible for employee motivation and motivation is essential for job performance and that rewarding employees is not in the organisations best interest. According to Bono and Judge (2003) the standard and quality of work carried out by employees usually depends on the level of motivation and commitment. The biggest asset any organisation has is its employees mainly because these are the individuals who make the difference when it comes to highly successful organisations and not so successful ones; this applies to both senior and junior employees. The relationship which exists between employer and employee in terms of driving the business forward has been largely based on the employers ability to motivate his employees to excel in their various departments within the organization ( Linder, 1998). Burr and Cordery (2003) suggest that motivation plays a critical role in job performance of employees; organizations are constantly inventing new ways through which motivation can always be maintained at its highest, since it has a direct effect on employee attitude towards work. The heart of any work force lies with its employees, so it is imperative performance catalyst be introduced however and whenever seems fit. The blind side of motivation is that it tends to assume that motivation is predominantly based on rewards or benefits which are gained by employees who perform satisfactory. In the past organizations have laid emphasis

Electric and Music industries limited Essay Example for Free

Electric and Music industries limited Essay â€Å"EMI† or Electric and Music industries limited is a British music company founded in 1931 as a result of a giant merger of two companies namely the UK Columbia Graphophone company and Gramophone company. Initially it was involved in manufacture of recording and playback equipment and provision of music to play in its machines. EMI Group Plc comprises two major companies i. e. EMI music based in Kensington, London England and EMI publishing based in New York. EMI is one of the four music companies in the world. The other three are Sony BMG, Warner group, and Universal music group. As we shall see Terra Firma, capital partners now own EMI since august 2007. This change of ownership was because of drastic decline in sales and a huge loss to the tune of 2000 million pounds in 2006/20007 financial year (http://www. businessweek. com/magazine/content/03_06/b3819058. htm? chan=search). This transition saw several artists walk out of EMI including Radio head, Sir Paul McCartney among others. The takeover also saw Guyhands, the new owner bring in new restructuring policies to reduce the labor costs by two hundred pounds. This was to be achieved by cutting up to two hundred workers out of the 5000 plus EMI labor force (http://www. cornerc. com/emi. htm). Initially EMI majored in the manufacture of gramophones, which went on successfully for a period of 40 years. However, during and after the world war two they ventured in the manufacture of radar equipment and guided missiles. They later began to manufacture broadcasting equipments with BBC being their main customers. They employed skilled engineers an example such was Godfreys Hounsefield who came up with the first scanning machine, used in medical imaging. EMI’s strategic choices Although EMI was established along time ago, an indicator that it had cut itself a niche in the music production industry, it had to come up with regular strategies to maintain its position in the market. This was also necessary to stay in level with its business rival e. g. Warner music group and others. In any business, it is mandatory that to acquire a large market share a manufacturer must produce quality products. This aspect of quality is what customers look for and therefore EMI embarked on producing quality and efficient products through the employment of skilled work force such as engineers. For instance the re skilled and able engineers who made sure that quality and efficiency was not compromised. Another very important tool EMI used to edge out its competitors was by signing contracts with popular artists. It roster of artists included both local and international artists who releases new albums every now and then. These regular releases helped EMI to offer its customers a wide rage of music choices. Emi continued investing heavily in the very best song writing standards across the world. Local artists included the Beetle Boys, Nora Jones. Lenny Krawtz, among others while artists from other regions included Japan’s Noriyoku Matiara, Latin American’s Marissa Monte, continental Europe’s Raffael, Diam among many others. These best talents enabled EMI to maximize all potential revenue opportunities. Due to hypercompetitive nature of the music industry, EMI has always been on the look out to remain executive in the industry. This, they have achieved by making systematic decisions, monitoring the decision effects, and adjusting where necessary. EMI’s fast, efficient and flexible business intelligence team draws these strategies. Through this intelligence team, EMI was able to embark on facilitating a new architecture for selling its products. They engaged an IT firm, Avanade who successfully designed a web services solution. This new architecture helped EMI to take advantage of unique interactive marketing opportunities, which offered a competitive advantage when signing new artists. EMI has also labored tirelessly in creation of new products, formats, channels, and new partnerships as a real competitive tool over its rivals. For instance, EMI diversified its distribution channels by introducing digital online selling. This has supplemented the physical selling method. As expected, this online selling has helped to cut the costs of shipping, and offered value to its customers’ dollars. Another competitive advantage of this method is that it’s dynamic, secure, and it’s flexible for easy extension to new E-commerce business technology initiative (http://www. avanade. com/customers/casestudy. aspx? id=39). EMI has also focused on creating of very attractive music content and making it available where consumers want it, when they need it, and in the format, they want it. This has helped them to maximize the demands for its artist works. Of more importance is the diversification of its product range, which has been a routine exercise as part of their business products. New corporate partnerships have been created and therefore making EMI’s music available in more than 56 countries. However, this market diversification has posed a greater challenge due to sprouting of both physical and digital piracy. However, through a series of successful legal suits the company has made progress in combating unscrupulous pirates. Another tool EMI continues to use in order to broaden its international market is by establishing right relationships on the right terms. This has made them to be in the fore front of the music industry and there fore exploiting new products and possibilities that digital technologies brings e. g. this innovative digital approach, saw EMI music produce the first ever album available on i-tunes. An indicator of how EMI music is exploiting new opportunities that digital technologies brings (http://billboard. blogs. com/billboardpostplay/2005/06/sales_and_marke. html) . Through these digital innovations, EMI music has therefore ventured in a wide geographical region with ventures in N. America, Japan, Continental Europe, Latin America, Australia, and in S. East Asia. In all this regions EMI music has entered into joint ventures with local companies, making its products to be widely accepted by the locals, a phenomenon, which could have been the other way if EMI music decided to go on its own. These international ventures have been successful because British had many colonies across the globe. Therefore, it has been easy to market EM products in the common wealth countries (http://www. ybase. com/detail? id=1025595). EMI limited is now one of the four leading companies after Universal music group, Warner music group and Sony BMG. Therefore, measures to protect it and make it sustainable strong in the music industry market have to be arrived at. His measures are not only purely for protection but also for building the company further. An example of such measure was EMI’s bold proposal move to buy its music rival Warner group. EMI argued that this move will not only cut down the cost of unnecessary competition but also will add value to the company share value in the London stock exchange market. Warner on its side did not take the proposal positively. EMI has also invested hugely on intensive marketing and promotion through collaboration with mobile phone manufacturers e. g. T-mobile which uses EMI music as its ring tunes. In addition, EMI music has entered into contracts with advertisers and media houses as a way of diversifying its revenue opportunities. Another milestone EMI has achieved in protecting its market share is by proper use of copyrights and hence reducing piracy. Critical success factors In order to achieve all the above strategies and objectives, EMI had to come up with a series of practices. These practices, which are in other words referred to as critical success factors, included the following; developing a distinctive approach towards its list of artists, which are its main assets. Also making consistence investment in artists with long-term carrier potential and maximizing its local and global sales. Another factor was getting in partnership with willing music companies across the world. This approach was seen as the only way EMI products would be readily accepted by customers globally. From EMI’s financial and performance data, it is evident that to some extend they achieved these success strategies. This is clearly shown by the number of business ventures it entered into the globe e. g. in Asia, Australia, North and South America among many other places. In addition, the roster of artists affiliated to EMI speaks volumes about this. It s evident then that EMI’s strategies and objectives were very much appropriate initially. This is the reason as to why EMI has been successful for a very long period. The strategies were in line with its resources and capabilities. EMI’s recourses and capabilities It is evident that the long term EMI’s success did not just come on a silver platter, it was occasioned by; intensive investment of capital, intensive marketing and promotion, tireless efforts by its skilled and able workers, regular releasing of albums by its long roster of artists, and lastly prevailing peace and stability in many countries it ventured into. To begin with, the main asset towards the support of EMI’s strategies was their large numbers of artists who were blessed with immense real musical talent. These artists released new hits every now and then and therefore this made EMI to be constantly in business, hence its expansion to overseas market. EMI being a company that started back before the start of the world war two stands a better chance in terms of competitive advantage from its rivals. This is so because its long time presence in music production industry makes it to have built a reputation with new and old artists. Long time presence in music industry makes it to be popular with its customers and therefore its volume of sales have always been high until lately when it started making losses. To satisfy its customer s demand as we saw earlier EMI achieved this by investing heavily in new technology whereby new brands of products were released every now and then. This new technology was achieved through EMI’s large workforce of able and skilled technicians. EMI group have two branches i. e. EMI music, and EMI publishing though they are very much separate from one another as its normal in music industry. These two branches have contributed a lot in making EMI what it is today. This is so because they supplement one another in that, the publisher branch publishes and records musical tracks while the music branch offers distribution and marketing services and thus EMI managed to sail successfully in its business endeavors. Its variety of branches also gave its customers a wide choice of products. These brands included music packaged in physical devices like disks and music digitally delivered to customers online. The above recourses and capabilities and many more others are what made EMI to be strategically capable in edging out its rivals, business wise. An evaluation of EMI’s current strategies Today the company being under the ownership of Terra Firma it has to make new strategies as one of the core actions in its efforts of regaining its lost glory. An example of these strategies is the labor force down sizing which its new owner, Mr. Guy Hands, brought in. Literally, this strategy will mean that a quite number of workers will face the axe. Its suitability therefore is wanting, because it will be contracting the company’s initial policies since quite a number of sectors of production will remain understaffed. All the same, it is worthy the cause since in the end expenses will shoot down and the saved funds channeled towards the main objective of reviving the once renowned music powerhouse (http://helium. com. tm/494190/music-industry-dying-painful). By looking at EMI’s business environment it not clear whether it will regain its lost market share. This is because the take over by terra firma was worsened by the walking away of some of it’s of long time artists therefore it will be difficult to win the back. It can also be argued that Mr. Guy Hands strategy was not in good faith because may be his main intention was to come up with a plan that will see him recover his money he paid for the takeover deal (http:www. whatmakesagoodleader. com/Porters-five-forces. html). In terms of feasibility, which is concerned with whether the strategy is implemental it can be said that cutting the labor force although easy to implement can be of no consequence when it comes to regaining its lost market share. This so because when some of EMI’s artists left, they obviously signed contracts with other music companies, which are probably its three major rivals and therefore increasing the level of competition. Basing this argument on competition, cutting the number of employees will not bring down the level of competition. Again, EMI badly needs the services of some of its experienced workers to turn around the situation facing it. For instance, EMI needs the services of IT technicians to bring new and fresh technological ideas to gain that competitive advantage over its three main rivals. It is in order that the money which were to be paid to the retrenched workers will be invested in researching for more technology, but in real sense new technologies mean more labor force to work on it (http://www1. ximb. ac. in/users/fac/dpdash/dpdash. nsf/pages/BP_Evaluation). On acceptability of this strategy, it remains to be seen because now EMI has been faced with financial constraints and hence it’s subsequent change of ownership. This change of ownership saw EMI being delisted from the London stock market, and mass walkouts of long time loyal artists. This is a phenomenon, which means that its volume of sales went down considerably, and consequently making EMI to find its self in a financial quagmire. This also affected the capital structure of the company with the shareholders being forced to sell their shares to the new owner. This policy also affected the functions of different departments in the organization. Some departments were merged, while others were scraped all together. The company’s reputation also went down especially its customers, suppliers lost faith in it, and therefore it can be said the general acceptability of this strategy was relatively poor. In conclusion it can be deduced that it will take some time for the company to fully regain its lost glory this so because in the music a single flop can lead to long time consequences. Music production is unique in that it involves the signing of long-term co tracts with artists, suppliers and stakeholders and therefore breaching such contracts is not a common thing. Unless during abnormal occurrences like in the case of the take-over of EMI by Terra Firma. However, EMI can build on from its other range of products to regain its popularity and market share.