Modernism and Postmodernism in music

Michele Zaccagnini

11 Jun 202111:13

Summary

TLDRThis video discusses the concepts of modernism and postmodernism in music composition. Modernism, which emerged in the early 20th century, seeks to break from traditional canons and advance art with new techniques, as seen in the works of composers like Schoenberg. Postmodernism, in contrast, challenges modernism's idea of progress, questioning the very nature and role of art. Through examples such as John Cage's 4'33", postmodernism engages the audience in philosophical inquiries about art’s boundaries and purpose. Both movements address the evolving role of art in modern, industrialized society.

Takeaways

🎶 Modernism and postmodernism are broad tendencies in artistic creation, not specific styles, and they help explain motivations behind works of art.
🖼️ Both movements explore the role of art in society, questioning whether it's entertainment, knowledge, communication, spiritual, or all of the above.
📅 Modernism emerged in the early 20th century and is characterized by a break from traditional artistic canons, seeking to advance art toward a goal.
🎹 Adorno is a key figure in modernism, believing in artistic progress, with the 12-tone technique as a modernist move away from tonality.
🧱 Modernism is not just about rejecting tradition but also about proposing a new system or way forward, as seen in composers like Schoenberg, Boulez, and Stockhausen.
❓ Postmodernism challenges the modernist idea of progress and questions the importance of technique, asking deeper questions about the nature of art.
🎤 John Cage's work, like his famous piece '4'33', embodies postmodernism by breaking the barrier between the audience and the art, challenging what music and art are.
🤔 Modernism offers an answer to what music should achieve, advocating for artistic progress, while postmodernism offers more philosophical questions about art’s role.
📜 Walter Benjamin's essay on mechanical reproduction highlights how industrialization has changed art, diminishing its uniqueness or 'aura' through mass reproduction.
🔄 Modernists see progress through breaking from tradition, while postmodernists believe in reinventing and questioning the role of art in a post-industrial society.

Q & A

What are modernism and postmodernism in the context of music composition?
-Modernism and postmodernism are broad tendencies in artistic creation. They aren't specific styles but are used to understand the motivations behind a work and certain stylistic features in art and music.
What is the main difference between modernism and postmodernism?
-Modernism focuses on breaking from traditional artistic conventions and advancing toward a goal or progress, while postmodernism challenges the modernist idea of progress and questions the role and purpose of art itself.
How does modernism approach the evolution of music?
-Modernism seeks to break from traditional forms, advancing music by creating new systems to replace older ones. It's not just about rejecting tradition but proposing a new direction that aligns with modern times.
What role does technique play in modernism?
-Technique is central to modernism, where advancing technique and the art form itself justifies the creation of new works. The modernist composer believes that artistic progress can be achieved through technical innovations.
How does postmodernism differ in its view of artistic progress?
-Postmodernism rejects the idea of clear artistic progress. Instead of following a linear path forward, it questions the role of art and music in society, often presenting open-ended questions about the purpose of creation.
What is an example of postmodernist music, and how does it challenge traditional ideas?
-John Cage’s piece '4'33'' is a postmodernist example. In this piece, the performer does not play any notes, involving the audience in questioning the boundaries of music, thus breaking down traditional expectations.
What philosophical ideas influence postmodernism in music?
-Postmodernism in music is influenced by philosophical ideas that question the nature of art and its purpose. It often explores themes such as the role of art in society and challenges preconceived notions about what art should achieve.
Who are some key figures associated with modernism in music?
-Key figures associated with modernism in music include composers like Arnold Schoenberg, Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Iannis Xenakis. These composers sought to innovate music by introducing new systems such as Schoenberg's 12-tone technique.
What is the significance of Walter Benjamin's essay in relation to modern and postmodern art?
-Walter Benjamin’s essay 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction' explores how industrialization and mass reproduction of art diminish its 'aura'—a quality that made art unique. This idea influences both modernism’s goal of artistic progress and postmodernism’s questioning of art’s role.
How does modernism view the future audience in relation to their work?
-Modernists believe that their work may not be fully understood by current audiences, but it is in dialogue with future generations. They see their innovations as paving the way for a deeper understanding of music and art over time.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 Introduction to Modernism and Postmodernism in Music

The video introduces the broad tendencies of modernism and postmodernism in music composition, explaining how these movements offer a framework to understand artistic motivations and stylistic features. Neither modernism nor postmodernism are specific styles but are useful in answering deeper questions about the role of art in society, such as whether art is for entertainment, knowledge, communication, or spiritual exploration.

05:07

🎨 Understanding Modernism in Music

Modernism in music is traced to the early 20th century, characterized by a break from traditional canons and a pursuit of artistic progress. The video references Adorno, a key modernist figure, and discusses how modernism aims to reject tradition while also presenting new systems of artistic creation, like Schoenberg's 12-tone technique. This era was driven by a belief in progress and innovation, with composers like Boulez, Stockhausen, and Xenakis continuing this approach by seeking new systems to replace outdated ones.

10:08

🔄 Postmodernism: Challenging Modernist Ideals

Postmodernism is framed as a reaction to modernism's emphasis on progress and technique. Composers like John Cage challenge the very definition of music, as seen in his famous 4'33", where silence itself becomes the piece. This breaks the boundary between the audience and the work, questioning the limits of the medium. Postmodernism takes a more philosophical approach, rejecting clear paths or answers and focusing instead on questioning the purpose and definition of art itself.

💡 Comparing Modernist and Postmodernist Philosophies

The video contrasts modernist and postmodernist philosophies. Modernism seeks to move art forward by introducing new techniques, with the belief that the audience may not yet understand the music but will appreciate it in the future. In contrast, postmodernism dismisses the idea of a clear artistic trajectory. Instead, it focuses on continually questioning art's role, reflecting changes in society's relationship with art in a post-industrial world.

🏙 Art and Industrialization: Insights from Walter Benjamin

The influence of industrialization on art is discussed through the lens of Walter Benjamin, a critical theorist from the Frankfurt School. His essay, 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,' explains how the mass production of art has stripped it of its 'aura,' or unique presence. Modernists view this as a challenge to continue progressing art, while postmodernists see it as a call to reinvent and redefine art itself in light of societal changes.

🎭 The Diverging Responses to Artistic Change

The video concludes by highlighting the different responses of modernists and postmodernists to the changing nature of art. Modernists argue that artistic progress is still achievable by abandoning irrelevant traditions, while postmodernists see the need to reinvent art entirely, questioning its role in contemporary society. The video ends with a note on the ongoing debate about art's purpose and its evolution.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Modernism

Modernism refers to a broad cultural and artistic movement that emphasizes breaking away from traditional forms and advancing towards new approaches. In the video, modernism in music is described as moving away from tonal systems like Schoenberg's 12-tone technique. It highlights progress and innovation in art, suggesting that modernist works are in dialogue with future generations.

💡Postmodernism

Postmodernism is a reaction against the modernist idea of progress in art. It challenges the notion of a linear artistic progression and questions the very role and nature of art. The video explains postmodernism as being more philosophical, where composers like John Cage invite audiences to rethink the concept of music itself, as demonstrated in Cage’s silent piece '4'33'.

💡12-tone technique

The 12-tone technique, associated with modernist composer Schoenberg, involves using all 12 notes of the chromatic scale in a fixed, non-repetitive sequence. This technique is presented in the video as a rejection of traditional tonality and an example of modernist music pushing forward by creating new systems to replace the old.

💡Adorno

Theodor Adorno, a philosopher and music theorist, is referenced as a representative of modernism in the video. Adorno believed in the idea of artistic progress, where art should advance by developing new forms and techniques. His views support the idea that modernist works, though possibly misunderstood in their time, are meant for future audiences.

💡John Cage

John Cage was a composer known for his postmodernist ideas, particularly questioning the nature and role of music. In the video, Cage’s work '4'33', where the performer does not play a single note, is used as an example of postmodernism. It challenges the audience to rethink what music is and breaks down the traditional barrier between the artist and the audience.

💡Artistic progress

Artistic progress refers to the modernist belief that art should evolve and move forward. In the video, this concept is tied to the idea that composers like Schoenberg and Stockhausen sought to create new techniques and systems to replace outdated ones, driving art towards new, unexplored territories. Progress is central to modernist philosophy.

💡Mechanical reproduction

This concept comes from Walter Benjamin’s essay 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction', which is mentioned in the video. It discusses how industrialization allows for art to be mass-produced, stripping it of its 'aura' or uniqueness. The video contrasts this with both modernist and postmodernist reactions to the changing role of art in society.

💡Aura

Aura, as explained in the video through Walter Benjamin’s theory, refers to the unique, almost sacred quality that a work of art possesses due to its rarity and historical context. Mechanical reproduction diminishes this aura, making art more accessible but less unique, which in turn affects how both modernists and postmodernists view art’s role in society.

💡Breaking the third wall

Breaking the third wall, discussed in relation to John Cage’s work, refers to the idea of involving the audience directly in the experience of the art, blurring the line between performer and observer. In postmodernism, as shown in Cage's silent piece '4'33', the audience becomes a part of the composition by being aware of the ambient sounds around them.

💡Tonality

Tonality refers to the organization of music around a central pitch or key. In the video, the modernist rejection of tonality is discussed through Schoenberg's 12-tone technique, which discards the traditional tonal system. Modernism sees this as necessary for moving music forward, while postmodernism questions whether such a structure is even necessary.

Highlights

Introduction to modernism and postmodernism in music composition.

Modernism and postmodernism are not specific artistic styles but are general approaches to understanding motivations behind artistic creation.

These ideas help answer important questions about the role of art in modern society—whether it is for entertainment, knowledge expansion, communication, or spirituality.

Modernism is often traced to the early 20th century, emphasizing breaking from tradition and advancing toward a new musical goal.

Adorno represents the modernist idea, believing in artistic progress and advocating the 12-tone technique as a way forward.

Schoenberg, a starting point for modernism, is followed by composers like Boulez, Stockhausen, and Xenakis, who continue the idea of creating new systems to replace older ones.

Postmodernism challenges the modernist idea of progress and the importance of technique in music composition.

John Cage's '4'33'—a piece where the performer does not play a single note—questions the very nature of music and involves the audience in the performance.

Postmodernism is more of a philosophical mindset, questioning what music and art are supposed to convey.

Modernism offers an answer by advocating progress in art, believing that future generations will eventually understand new musical approaches.

Postmodernism, on the other hand, sees no clear path or progress, focusing on questioning the role of art itself.

The role of music and art has changed in a post-industrial society, leading to different perceptions of their purpose.

Walter Benjamin's essay 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction' is crucial in understanding how industrialization changed the nature of art.

Modernists believe that traditional art forms are no longer relevant in the modern era, advocating for shedding tradition to move forward artistically.

Postmodernists view this differently, believing that art needs to be reinvented and its role questioned, rather than progressing linearly.