Transcript Folk Music
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 20th 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 (1898-1937) – 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 (1918-1990) – Best-known from the 20th 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 • 20th 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”