3. IB Music Investigation Links: Music piece types

        Though Handel may be known for his oratorios, he was not limited to one form of music. Handel was also remembered for writing coronation pieces for many kings. Coronations pieces, specifically "anthems", were music works made when men of royalty were formed into kings. Handel, for King George II, Handel created a coronation piece, based off of Solomon, named “Zadok the Priest.” “Zadok the Priest” is a reference to Biblical text (1^st Kings 1:38-40). Though the majority of the piece uses voices, there are moments where the piece is played with instruments only, such as the beginning of the piece.

        Alizadeh, known for his Persian music, chose to write music in a familiar set to Persian music form. Alizadeh chose to form "Saz va Avaz", from the album Without You, into a poem like text, basing it from the Qur’an. Poems are used by Alizadeh for expression. An example is part of the lyrics says, when translated in English: “You are my pure water.” Alizadeh uses religious literature of the Qur’an of chapter 21, verse 30, which states: “We (God) created every being from water.” Though poetic, there are moments in the song where instruments will play long term, like Handel’s coronation anthem.

Who are the Composers?: Post 3

To understand the styles of the composers, it is essential to acknowledge the composers themselves. George Frederick Handel is considered one of the masters of the Baroque music era. Handel became known for his oratorios, musical ensembles and choir performing biblical stories, similar to opera, though no one wore costumes or brought out sets. Some of his oratorios known today are the Messiah and Solomon. However, the piece, Zadok the Priest, is his most cherished anthems of his Coronation Anthem collection.

Hossein Alizadeh, a Persian, creates music, stylized in the matter of ancient Iranian music and poems, though modernized with a few elements of dynamics, tone, and types of instrumentation and voice. Alizadeh enjoys writing music representing his culture of Persia and Iranian culture, included. Currently, Alizadeh is a part of a Persian band, Masters of Persian Music, and performs around the Middle East.