Chapter 18: The Late Romantics Nationalism

Key Terms Nationalism Exoticism Kuchka

Nationalism (1) Many struggles for national independence Romanticism’s passion for freedom Greeks struggled against Turks, Poles against Russia, Czechs against Austria, & Norway against Sweden Consciousness of national character grew People now prized their own artistic heritages Gave rise to nationalism in music Incorporation of national folk music into concert pieces, songs, & operas Romantic individuality now a national ideal!

Nationalism (2) How do you evoke national character? Quote folk songs, patriotic songs, & national hymns, anthems, or dances Use folk tales, legends, or stories from your nation’s history – e.g., Borodin’s Prince Igor Draw on national literary traditions Draw on national landmarks or geographical features – e.g., Smetana’s Vltava (The Moldau) Opera, songs, & program music favored Works that require words or a story

Nationalism (3) Nationalist music stirred strong emotions at home – And made an effective ambassador abroad Many nationalists declared independence from European mainstream Germans, French, & Italians not considered nationalists – they were the dominant culture To develop a new, truly local style, nationalists often broke rules of harmony, form, etc.

Exoticism Audiences came to enjoy folk music Whether their own or someone else’s Composers often evoked sounds of other cultures Verdi (Italian) – Egyptian music for Aida Bizet (French) – Spanish music for Carmen Dvorák (Czech) – American music for his New World Symphony Sounds used for their exotic atmosphere Not for nationalistic self-definition

The Russian Kuchka Close group of five Russian nationalists Nicknamed moguchaya kuchka by critic friend Kuchka = group or clique Often called “Mighty Five” or “Mighty Handful” Included Balakirev, Borodin, Cui, Musorgsky, & Rimsky-Korsakov All determined to make Russian music truly “Russian” Deep interest in collecting folk song Committed to self-improvement as composers

Modest Musorgsky ( ) Held military & clerical positions Came to composition late in life Joined the kuchka in his 20s Relied on Rimsky-Korsakov for guidance Intense vision of a truly Russian music He became the most radical of the “Five” Wrote operas, songs, & program works Boris Godunov was his masterpiece Unstable personality, filled with doubts Died at 42 of alcoholism & epilepsy

Musorgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition A set of character pieces for solo piano Scored for orchestra by Ravel in 1922 Title refers to a memorial art exhibit Works by Victor Hartmann, Russian nationalist painter who had recently died Each character piece depicts a painting Promenades provide music for walking from one painting to the next Promenades also provide some overall unity

Promenade [1] Promenade theme recalls a Russian folk song (breaks with European norms) Changing, irregular meters – 5/4 and 6/4 Angular melodic contours Mostly based on a simple pentatonic scale Forceful theme orchestrated for brass instruments at first Later for woodwinds & strings

“Gnomus” (1) Drawing of a Russian folk-art nutcracker The gnome’s jaws crack the nut when the legs (handles) are pulled together Macabre music for this grotesque figure Lurching rhythms depict gnome’s clumsy gait Striking dissonant harmonies & odd leaps Eerie tone colors – pizzicato, glissando, mutes, harmonics, trills, & stopped horn Form alternates between three ideas A B A C A C A C A C B A’

“Gnomus” (2) & Promenade [2] Many features of “Gnomus” break with European norms Rhythms, dissonant harmonies, form, etc. Promenade [2] Same basic tune as before But now quieter, more musing

“The Great Gate at Kiev” (1) Hartmann’s fanciful architectural design Not a real gate in Kiev A magnificent solemn processional Clashing cymbals, clanging bells, & chanting Russian priests A truly grandiose, bone-rattling ending Orchestra pulls out all the stops with timpani, triangle, cymbals, bass drum, tam-tam, and bells (see Hartmann’s painting!) Theme slows to half-speed at the end

“The Great Gate at Kiev” (2) Overall form – A B A B C A A & B are real Russian melodies A – Majestic processional theme B – Quiet Russian hymn with rich harmonies C – Promenade theme woven in one last time

Other Nationalists Many nationalist composers in countries outside of Russia Bohemia (Czech Republic) – Smetana, Dvorák Norway – Grieg Finland – Sibelius Denmark – Nielsen Spain – Granados, Turina, Falla Great Britain – Elgar, Vaughan Williams United States – Gottschalk, MacDowell