Claude Debussy
French impressionist composer, trained in paris conservatory, raised under the influence of german musicPrelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Igor Stravinsky
Russian born but American/ French nationalizedThe Rite of Spring
Arnold Shoenburg
Austrian composer. Pioneer of atonality and twelve tone. Relocated to U.S. during the third Reich. Pierrot Lunaire.
Alban Berg
united wagnerian operatic tradition with Shoenberg's expressionism. Wozzeck act III scene 5
Bela Bartok
Hungarian composer and pianist. Major 20th century figure. Blended modernism with concert tradition from 19th century music. Music for percussion, strings, and celesta.
Aaron Copland
Dean" of American composers. Trained in Paris. Eclectic style became "american sound". Appalachian Spring.
John Cage
American composer. Invented the prepared piano. Sonata 2.
whole tone scale
six notes all a whole step apart
Gyorgy Ligetti
Work for large orchestra. Believed in music as a sculpture. Atmospheres.
John Adams
Minimalist fanfare for orchestra. Used not usual instruments, like pedal drums and synthesizers. Short ride in a fast machine
Opera
Wozzeck
Ballet
Rite of Spring, Appalachian spring
Song cycle
Pierrot Lunaire
Impressionism
emphasis on the sensual aspect of music, used "exotic" scales, harmony is coloristic instead of functional
The Rite of Spring
depicted primitive fertility ritual, intense dissonances, primal rhythms. caused a riot at the premiere
Expressionism
modernist artistic movement, flourished in Germany, rejected naturalism (realism), art as an outlet for extremes, for emotion,
Wozzeck
Masterpiece of 20th century operatic music, based on fragmentary play from the 1830's, used atonality, sprechstimme, and musical dramatic continuity
Appalachian Spring
variation of the shaker hymn "Simple gifts", very popular American ballet choreographed by Martha Graham, scored for small ensemble.
Bartoks style
traditional forms and techniques (sonata form and fugues), rhythms and folk music scales, stravinskian modernism
Innovations of 20th century music
Expressionism, minimalism, impressionism
atonality
no clear tonal center
4'33
minimalistic piece. Literal silence. Very boring.
minimalism
important artistic movement in late 20th century, reduction of elements, simplification of procedures, steady pulse, repetitive melodies.
ocatonic scale
whole steps and half steps alternate
pentatonic scale
five notes, major minus degrees 4 and 7
serialism (twelve tone system)
fixed ordering of pitches (or other musical elements)
prepared piano
invented by John cage. screws, pieces of plastic, etc. tied or put on strings of the piano to create new sounds.
second viennese school
certain composers that use expressionism: Shoenberg and Berg
Simple Gifts
shaker hymn
Sprechstimme
speech voice