GRADE 10 / MUSIC 10 / EXPRESSIONISM / 20TH CENTURY MUSIC / QUARTER 1

Summary

This lesson focuses on Expressionism in 20th-century music, highlighting key composers like Arnold Schoenberg and Igor Stravinsky. Expressionism, first applied in music in 1918, emphasizes emotional expression through dissonance, dynamic contrasts, and distorted melodies. Schoenberg's 12-tone technique and famous works like 'Verklärte Nacht' and 'Pierrot Lunaire' are discussed. Stravinsky’s contributions, such as 'Petrushka' and 'The Rake's Progress,' are also explored, showcasing his neoclassical influence. The lesson examines how both composers shaped modern music through these innovative methods, allowing students to appreciate the importance of Expressionism in musical history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Expressionism in music began around 1918, with composers aiming to express emotional experiences rather than external impressions.
• 😀 Key features of expressionism in music include high dissonance, extreme dynamic contrasts, distorted melodies, and angular melodies with wide leaps.
• 😀 Arnold Schoenberg, born in 1874, is one of the most influential expressionist composers and developed the 12-tone technique.
• 😀 The 12-tone technique ensures all 12 notes of the chromatic scale are treated equally and prevents any one note from being emphasized.
• 😀 Schoenberg's composition 'Verklärte Nacht' (Transfigured Night) was a significant early work in his career, composed in just three weeks.
• 😀 A string sextet, written by Schoenberg, is a composition for six string instruments, specifically two violins, two violas, and two cellos.
• 😀 'Three Pieces for Piano' by Schoenberg is an early example of atonality in his work, marking a departure from functional harmony.
• 😀 'Pierrot Lunaire' is a vocal and instrumental piece written for a soprano voice and small ensemble, traditionally performed in a speech-song style.
• 😀 Igor Stravinsky, another pivotal composer of the 20th century, was born in Russia and is known for his neoclassical approach and works like 'Petrushka'.
• 😀 Stravinsky's 'The Rake's Progress' (1951) is an English-language opera based loosely on William Hogarth's series of paintings, marking a key example of his neoclassical style.

Q & A

What is expressionism in music?

Expressionism in music is a style where composers seek to express emotional experiences rather than simply depicting external world impressions. It was likely first applied to music in 1918.

What are some key features of expressionism in music?

Key features of expressionism include a high degree of dissonance (unstable sound quality), extreme contrast of dynamics (from very soft to very loud), constant changes in texture, and distorted or angular melodies and harmonies.

Who is Arnold Schoenberg and what is his significance?

Arnold Schoenberg was an influential composer, music theorist, teacher, writer, and painter born in 1874 in Vienna. He is widely known for developing the 12-tone technique, a method of composition that treats all 12 notes of the chromatic scale equally.

What is the 12-tone technique developed by Arnold Schoenberg?

The 12-tone technique is a compositional method where all 12 notes of the chromatic scale are used in an ordered series (tone row), ensuring no note is emphasized more than others. This technique prevents the traditional emphasis on a central note or key.

What is the string sextet composed by Arnold Schoenberg, and what makes it significant?

Schoenberg's string sextet, written in 1899, is considered one of his earliest important works. It was composed in three weeks and represents a significant departure from earlier tonalities, marking his first important break in composition.

What is the significance of Schoenberg's 'Three Pieces for Piano'?

Schoenberg's 'Three Pieces for Piano' represents an early example of atonality in his work, where the traditional tonal harmony is absent and replaced by a more free and dissonant structure.

What is the 'Violin Concerto' by Arnold Schoenberg?

Schoenberg's 'Violin Concerto' is a composition for solo violin and orchestra. It is notable for its use of complex harmonies and techniques that reflect the evolution of Schoenberg's music, particularly his use of atonality.

Who was Igor Stravinsky and why is he significant?

Igor Stravinsky was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, widely regarded as one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. His works, including ballets and operas, played a pivotal role in modernist music.

What is Stravinsky's 'Petrushka'?

Stravinsky's 'Petrushka' is a ballet and orchestral concert written in 1911. It was commissioned for the Ballets Russes and is known for its use of complex rhythms and innovative orchestration.

What is Stravinsky's 'The Rake's Progress'?

Stravinsky's 'The Rake's Progress' is an English-language opera composed in 1951. It consists of three acts and an epilogue, and its libretto is based on the 18th-century paintings by William Hogarth.