Unit Summary
Early 20th Century Music
Although we might reasonably draw the boundary line between 19th century music and that of the 20th century at the beginning of World War I (1914), important developments took place well before that date. One of the most important technical developments that took place in late 19th century music was the gradual breakdown or dissolution of the system of tonality that had been an implicit aspect of Western European music since the beginning of the Baroque period. Tonal music continued to be written (and continues today); however, the practice has become a matter of choice rather than an unstated assumption.
Major Developments
The early part of the 20th century features three important artistic attitudes. They are Impressionism and the related literary attitude of Symbolism, Primitivism, and Expressionism. All three ideas are borrowed from literature and the visual arts, especially painting. Each of these three attitudes can be seen as extensions of some aspect of Romanticism, and they thus form an appropriate bridge to the 20th century.
- Impressionism and Symbolism sought to avoid explicit "meaning" in painting and poetry. Painters explored the idea that the ways that external objects "really" look depends upon conditions of light and weather, plus the state of mind of the observer. Poets sought to write poems rich in ambiguous imagery. Composers, most notably Claude Debussy, sought to translate these ideals into musical expression. Impressionism is principally a French phenomenon, although Spanish, Italian, and American composers contributed important examples.
- Primitivism may have a different meaning in the visual arts from that in music. Primitive paintings may be those created by artists outside academic circles. Their lack of educated technique often resulted in an artistic vision or expression that was of great originality and interest. Another use of the term "Primitivism" in art refers to the choice of "primitive" subjects, or the deliberate adoption of a style similar to that of unschooled artists. Primitivism in music rarely suggests lack of conventional technique. Rather, it seeks to express ideas or images related to antiquity or to some "primitive" culture or attitude. Primitivism can also be understood as a late development of 19th century nationalism.
- Expressionism extends to the point of abnormal psychology the fascination that many Romantic composers felt about heightened emotional states. Essentially a phenomenon of German and Northern European culture, this artistic movement owes much to the studies of the unconscious mind undertaken at this time by the Viennese physician Sigmund Freud.
Some important composers
- Claude Debussy (1862-1918) is one of the most creative minds in the history of Western European music. His exquisite sense of color, harmony, and melody opened up alternatives to the musical thought dominated by the Central Europeans for more than a century.
- Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) is a central figure in 20th century music. Although his early career is characterized by his big ballets which epitomize primitivism, he composed important works in many styles. His influence on other composers has been incalculable.
- Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) is another key figure in 20th century music. However, he is most well-known for his development of the so-called "Twelve-Tone Technique" which he developed after the period considered in this unit.
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