20 Century Music

1. 20 Century Music Musical Periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20 Century

2. OVERVIEW • Tonal center was not required. • More complex rhythms. • More instruments used, including electronic instruments and world instruments. • Composers explored many different avenues for composition.

3. Sub “genres” within the 20th century category “Chance” Music/ Minimalism Neoclassicism Serialism Serialism assigned numbers to the twelve tones in a chromatic scale. All twelve tones must be used before you repeat any tones. Notable composer (and creator of the twelve tone system): Arnold Schoenberg Listening example: PierrotLunaire “Chance” music question the definition of music. Most famous composer: John Cage Discussion example: 4’33 Minimalist music occurs and changes, but does not “go” anywhere. It just is. Recognizable Composer: Terry Riley Listening example: In C Neo + classical = Older forms with new ideas. Most of this music was composed in Russia. Noteable composers: Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copeland, Benjamin Britten Listening example: The Rite of Spring

4. What else was going on in the world? • Both World Wars and the Cold War. • Neoclassical music was composed mostly between these two wars when stability was important. • Music recording equipment becoming widely used. • Henry Ford’s Model-T • Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity • Wright Brothers’ First Flight

5. Practice drop the needle test! • Number your paper 1-6. • We will listen to all 6 examples before we discuss. • Choose the music period: • BAROQUE • CLASSICAL • ROMANTIC • 20TH CENTURY

6. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT • FIND A FACT ABOUT 20TH CENTURY MUSIC. • BE SURE YOU CITE YOUR SOURCE. • DON’T USE WIKIPEDIA • DUE DATE: NEXT CLASS