1. Turn of the Century Trends March 19, 2004

2. Early 20 th C Social Context Tensions and rivalries between countries for colonial control and/or independence from European countries Tensions and rivalries between countries for colonial control and/or independence from European countries WWI: 1914-1918 WWI: 1914-1918 Post WWI: Conflict and turmoil Post WWI: Conflict and turmoil Increased nationalism in European nations Increased nationalism in European nations Increased international attention: Increased international attention: Russia: 1917 Bolshevik Revolution; 1922 Communism Russia: 1917 Bolshevik Revolution; 1922 Communism Italy: 1919 Benito Mussolini; Fascism Italy: 1919 Benito Mussolini; Fascism Germany: 1933 Hitler; Nazism Germany: 1933 Hitler; Nazism

3. Early 20 th C Music Scene Paris still important music/art centre Paris still important music/art centre Arts affected by political/social developments of early 20th C: Arts affected by political/social developments of early 20th C: Limited performed resources Limited performed resources Rejection of conventional practices of composition Rejection of conventional practices of composition Radical experimentation, especially with harmony Radical experimentation, especially with harmony Rise of neoclassicism, continued nationalism Rise of neoclassicism, continued nationalism Some composers greatly affected by the political/social developments Some composers greatly affected by the political/social developments 20thC best examined according to trends, not chronologically 20thC best examined according to trends, not chronologically

4. Expressionism Attempt to reflect feelings about surrounding through distorted representations of real objects Attempt to reflect feelings about surrounding through distorted representations of real objects Typically portraying emotions of modern, isolated, helpless person Typically portraying emotions of modern, isolated, helpless person Addressing drives of subconscious: irrationality, emotion Addressing drives of subconscious: irrationality, emotion Rebellion against order Rebellion against order

5. Atonality Further extension of late 19thC German chromaticism Further extension of late 19thC German chromaticism Movement away from chromaticism centered around pitch to no central pitch at all Movement away from chromaticism centered around pitch to no central pitch at all All twelve notes of the octave considered equal, no tonic, non-functional harmony: “emancipation of dissonance” (Schoenberg’s term) All twelve notes of the octave considered equal, no tonic, non-functional harmony: “emancipation of dissonance” (Schoenberg’s term) Rhythm and counterpoint is more complex, melodic line fragmented, overall piece more compact Rhythm and counterpoint is more complex, melodic line fragmented, overall piece more compact Composition based around small motives or 3+ pitches Composition based around small motives or 3+ pitches EXPRESSIONISM IN MUSIC (via atonality) EXPRESSIONISM IN MUSIC (via atonality)

6. Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) First period (to 1908): late Romantic style: First period (to 1908): late Romantic style: Influences of Strauss, Mahler, Wagner Influences of Strauss, Mahler, Wagner Large performing forces, big works Large performing forces, big works Extended/extreme chromaticism within the limits of tonality Extended/extreme chromaticism within the limits of tonality Middle period (1908-1923) Middle period (1908-1923) Expressionism and atonality Expressionism and atonality smaller ensembles, or juxtaposition of large ensemble with soloist smaller ensembles, or juxtaposition of large ensemble with soloist e.g. Pierrot Lunaire (Moonstruck Pierrot, 1912) e.g. Pierrot Lunaire (Moonstruck Pierrot, 1912)

7. Alban Berg (1885-1935) Disciple of Schoenberg Disciple of Schoenberg Liberal use of Schoenberg’s methods of composition Liberal use of Schoenberg’s methods of composition Expressionist composer Expressionist composer Expressionist opera: Wozzeck (1917- 21) Expressionist opera: Wozzeck (1917- 21)