1920's Baroque Style

Baroque style in art and music was filled with action, movement, and drama. Influenced by the wishes and wealth of the aristocracy, and shaped by the needs of the churches, baroque style has become associated with magnificence and beauty. There were entirely new approaches to the organization of pitch and rhythm and a vast expansion in the vocabulary of sounds especially percussive sounds. Some compositions broke with traditions sharply that they were met with violent hostility which led to the famous music riot in Paris May 29, 1913.Unprecedented rapid economic growth widespread gain in rapid technology and science advancement as, radical changes in the arts also occur. The "Age of Enlightenment" saw a rise in influence of the middle class,

which helped spark the American and French revolutions. This period also witnessed new developments in the arts. In music composers broke tradition and rules this time is referred to as the classical period, which was characterized by music with clarity of structure and a sense of balance. The Romantic period emphasized individualism, emotion and imagination.

The romantics rebelled against established conventions in favor of free forms of expression. The aim of romantic artists was to expand horizons and capture the totality of human experience. Subjectivity, exploration of the emotions, fantasy and the irrational were all objects of fascination for the romantics. Radical developments in all spheres of life during the twentieth century had a tremendous impact on culture. Musicians began to express themselves with revolutionary approaches in composition and performance. The characteristics of the 20th century music are Tone color, Harmony, Rhythm and Melody. Recorded and broadcast music brought concert hall to living room automobile and elsewhere. It became part of everyday life for all classes it became popular in the

1920’s.
Claude Debussy a French impressionist composer attempted to capture in music what impressionist painters did in visual art. He used orchestra as pallet of sounds, not tutti. His listening includes Prelude a l’Apres-midi d’un faune (1894) basic set, CD 7:17 brief sec,CD 4:38 this program material evokes the dreams and erotic fantasies of a faun-pagan ,half man/half goat creature .Maurice Ravel Bolero (1928 )Listening outline Basic set ,CD 7:31.Igor Stravinsky born in Russia (1882-1971) was known for vocal and instrumental of many styles and forms utilized shifting and irregular meters. His listening Symphony of Psalms (1930) Basic set CD7:49 first movements chordal tones are spaced and orchestrated in a novel way chant like melody comprised of two note major ending triad contrasts with minor triads. French impressionism painting used broad brush stroke and vibrant colors.

They focus on light, color and atmosphere. Symbolist also broke with traditions and statements. Symbolist poetry became the basis for many impressionist musical work. Neoclassicism flourished 1920-1950.Based new compositions upon devices and forms of the classical and baroque used early techniques to organize 20th century harmonies and rhythms. Arnold Schoenberg was the first to completely abandon the traditional tonal system and was known as the father of the 12 tone system. In 1908 wrote music with no key center. Anton Webern was Schoenberg’s other famous student expanded Schoenberg’s idea of tone color being part of melody which are usually made up of several two to three note fragment that adds up to a complete whole. Bela Barto’k taught piano in Hungary and wrote books. He is best known for instrumental works especially piano and string quartets. His compositions contain strong folk influence He also worked within tonal center (harsh dissonances, polychords and tone clusters. Alban Berg a student of Schoenburg wrote atonal music but due to illness did not tour or conduct his most famous work is Wozzeck (1917-1922) opera by Alban Berg.Act 111: Scene 4 vocal guide

p.403 Basic set, CD 8:05. Wozzeck the Solider, returns to the scene of the crime to dispose of his knife. Act111: Scene 5 Listening guide: p.404 Basic set, CD8:09. Marie (Wozzeck stepson) and other children rushes in saying they found maries body as they leave to go see the opera ends abruptly. Charles Ives 1st published his own music. Won Pulitzer prize in 1947 for 3rd symphony his music is also based upon American folk songs polyrhythm, polytonality, and tone clusters. His music is very difficult to perform. George Gershwin wrote popular music, musical theatre, and serious music. He frequently blended the three into a single style. He wrote the broadway musical La, LA, Lucille also Rhapsody in blue, concerto in an American in Paris, and opera Porgy and Bess. William Grant Still is the first African -American Composer to have work perform by a major American orchestra. He is also the 1st African American to conduct a major symphony orchestra (1936) and the 1st to have an opera performed by a major opera company (1949) Troubled Island about Haitian lave Rebellion. Amy Beach the first American woman to achieve international as a composer of large scale works. Most of Beach’s compositions are in a late romantic style influenced by Brahms and Wagner, while displaying her own individuality. Aaron Copeland wrote music in modern style more accessible to audience. He wrote simple, yet highly amazing professional music. He also directed composers group, organize concerts, lectured, taught,conducted and wrote books and articles. Alberto Ginastera attracted to percussive sounds studied with Aaron Copland his operas included scenes of explicit sex and violence included Don Rodrigo (1964), Bomarzo (1967) and Beatrix Cenci (1971). Musical styles since 1945 took on many societal changes since ww11 such as instant communication has altered the world with constant demand for novelty. The increased use of the 12-tone system since the music of 1945.Return to tonality by some composers, mixed media and new concepts of rhythm and form. Chance music is the opposite of serialism. Composers choose pitches, tone colors and rhythms by random methods. John Cage :4’33”, imaginary landscape and Karlheinz Stockhausen: Piano Piece no.11.Musical quotation develops communication with audiences while electronic music uses high-tech advances for new music. liberation of sound use a wide variety of sounds use of microtones, clusters any new sound. Mixed media and Rhythm and Form gave some new compositions and specify sound in seconds.