Folk Music

Folk Heroes Tradition of “nationalism” continued from the Romantic period New & traditional techniques were combined in individual styles that were influenced by music of their native lands

Folk Heroes 2 Bartok –Hungarian; –worked as an ethnomusicologist, pianist, & composer; –updated the “string quartet” for the 20 th century

Folk Heroes 3 Ives –“first truly original American musical genius”; –was a wealthy insurance salesman; –wrote music as a hobby; –had few performances during his lifetime

Folk Heroes 4 Copland –wrote in an “American” style; –incorporated jazz rhythms in symphonic works; –ballets are “programmatic” of American scenes; –quoted American folk melodies; –used open harmonies to evoke wide-open spaces

Bridge Builders George Gershwin ( ) –successful “tin-pan alley” songwriter; –wrote concert music that was heavily influenced by popular music of the 20s and 30s; –his songs have become “standards”; –did not feel “respected” by the music world;

Bridge Builders Leonard Bernstein ( ) –Best-known from the 20 th century –Very “flamboyant” –Wrote movie scores; had a huge Broadway hit  West Side Story –Wrote a mass, 3 symphonies, 2 operas, etc. –Music is deceptively simple

Experimentalism After World War II, the definition of “music” was stretched in varied directions Boulez –intellectual approach was total serialism; –placed all elements of music in a highly controlled structure

Experimentalism 2 Penderecki –Gave performers & conductors a vague set of instructions rather than actual pitches & rhythms –Gives traditional instruments a “fresh” sound –Elements of improvisation & chance

Experimentalism Cage –One of the leading avant-garde composers –Invented the idea of the “prepared piano” –Used chance to design compositions –Even wrote a piece for 12 radios

Fusion/Inclusion 20 th century has seen the utilization of all that has developed in music Several styles & music periods are represented in single compositions Anything can be “acceptable”