TWENTIETH CENTURYWestern Art Music after 1900

Historical Context--many scientific discoveries and explorations--age of Einstein and Freud--abstract artwork (Picasso)--wars, especially WWI, led to feelings of disillusionment with society

New Avenues to MusicRecording capabilities allow composers and musicians to study music from around the worldComposers recorded their own music so that musicians can hear their intentionsMusic scholars travelled into rural areas, recording folk songs (Hungarian composer Bla Bartk and Australian/British Percy Grainger were famous for this)Jazz influence can be seen in classical works, especially after WWI American soldiers introduced this genre to EuropeThe invention of the radio helped millions hear music weekly (Saturday opera performances at the Met, NBCs Symphony Orchestra, etc)

Musical SocietyConcerts in the 20th century began to feature old music of the masters (Bach, Beethoven, etc.) rather than much contemporary music; in earlier eras, only the current music of the time was played frequentlyWomen and minority composers began to be accepted somewhat

**There is no set way 20th century music was composed--no universal or uniform sound. The music is as diverse as the many composers. The following characteristics are general aspects but were not always the case.Musical Characteristics

Tone Color/OrchestrationThe choice of instruments was of utmost importance to 20th century composers; the music relies on the particular timbres (tone colors) of the instruments selected by composers.Percussion instruments now integral to the orchestraComposers often called for extreme high or low pitches, unusual combinations of instruments, and non-standard instrumental techniques (such as striking the strings inside a piano, glissandos, and flutter tongue [essentially rolling your tongue while blowing into an instrument])

MelodiesMelodies in 20th century pieces often contain very wide leaps.They are often very irregular in length.They are frequently unsingable.The point of the music is not necessarily to sound good or pretty; this is particularly true in the middle of the century.

HarmonyThere is increased use of dissonance (unstable chords where the notes usually do not sound good together).Chords are not always built on the interval of a third as they had been for several centuries.Tone clusters are common; imagine playing the piano with your arm, hitting several keys at once.There are frequent key shifts (modulations), no key center at all (atonal music), or music in multiple keys at the same time (polytonal).

RhythmNew rhythm patternsMore complex patterns (especially those based on folk music and Latin American dance music)The meter changes frequently (arrangement of the beats)perhaps one measure is in 4 and the next is in 7.

--Impressionism--Neoclassicism--Expressionism--Aleatory Music--Serialism--MinimalismStyle Movements of the Age

ImpressionismInspired by French painters such as Monet and Renoir (note painting in bookSec. 19.1)The artwork featured a formless collection of tiny color patches that took form when viewed from a distance. The mood or atmosphere is more important than an actual object. It often looks blurry and misty. The music sounds similar, very vague and shimmering. Notable composers: Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel

Claude Debussy1862-1918; FrenchComposer who most linked the Romantic period to the 20th centuryMusic evokes fleeting mood and misty/hazy atmosphereImprovisational feel, subtle changes in tone color, new pedal effects on pianoPrelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Clair de Lune (Moonlight), Sunken Cathedral

Maurice Ravel1875-1937; FrenchInfluenced by Debussy; some Impressionistic works (Jeux deau)Many works are more classically structuredObsessive rhythmic repetition (Bolero)Ambulance driver in World War I

Composers in Romantic Tradition (Regular)Most were RussianProkofiev (1891-1953)Shostakovich (1906-1985)relationship with Soviet governmentRachmaninoffSymphonies, piano concerti, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Vocalise

NeoclassicismCall for a return to the balance, clarity, and restraint principles from the Classical EraLess program musicMusic written for smaller ensembles; this was partly due to a shortage of musicians during wartimesThis music normally is in standard keys.

Igor Stravinsky1882-1971; RussianMusic for Paris ballets commissioned by Diaghilev (Firebird, Petrushka, The Rite of Spring)Good businessmanMoved to California

ExpressionismVery intense and based on subjective inner emotionsUsed distortion (in visual art and in music) to shock audiencesOften involved elements of social protestrevealed the unpleasant truths of humanityNote the painting in the bookEdvard Munchs The Scream (page 441)

Serial (12-tone) MusicMusic that uses all 12 notes of the chromatic scale equallynot in a particular keyThis is unlike most music where certain notes are more important than others.Tone RowThe row can be changed by inversion, retrograde, retrograde inversion (just like fugues).Suite for Piano

Arnold Schoenberg1874-1951Almost entirely self-taughtAbandoned traditional tonal system

Alban BergStudent of SchoenbergDied of blood poisoning from a bee sting infectionOpera Wozzeck

Aleatoric MusicAlso known as chance musicInvolved random methods of picking notes, rhythms, and instruments for a composition; similar to rolling a die to determine the pieceAlso could refer to music that gave performers the ability to decide on aspects of the piece (how many times to repeat a phrase, play whatever order of notes they wish during a part)Could involve natural sounds; recall John Cages piece 433 where the pianist sits at the piano for that durationhttp://www.d.umn.edu/~jrubin1/JHR%20Alea%201.htm

MinimalismReaction against the complexity of 12-tone music and chance musicVery steady pulse/beat, clear tonal centerIncessant repetition of short patternsOften hypnotic; in fact, an inspiration for this style was Indian culture (meditation, etc.)Philip Glass--Islands

Latin American ComposersVilla-Lobos: Bachianas BrasileirasChavez: MexicoGinastera: Argentina

Bla Bartk1881-1945; HungarianCollected/recorded folk music/peasant songsDuring WWII, he came to America because of his immense dislike of the Nazis but unfortunately was poor and isolated here.Health deteriorated; received an unexpected commission for his Concerto for Orchestra while hospitalized

American ComposersGeorge GershwinRhapsody in BlueAaron CoplandCharles Ives (1874-1954)Studied young; composition major at Yale but experimentation not appreciatedBecame successful insurance salesman to support family and composed on the side (until 2 or 3 in morning)Incorporated folk hymns and patriotic songs into his works; polytonality (multiple keys at once)Pulitzer PrizeJohn CoriglianoPied Piper Fantasy