Description
Choose one or two pieces from the early-mid twentieth century on modernism, atonality, and technology. A list will be provided. The music should come in at under 10 minutes total. Using musical terminology that we’ve developed in class, write a 4-5 page essay describing the sound qualities of the music in connection with the aesthetic standpoint of the composer. Discuss elements of experimentalism in these pieces. Choose one or two pieces by one of the composers/artists we’ve featured in the first few classes (the music should come in at under 10 minutes total so you can really get into it). In these first classes, we’ve set down the basics of experimental composition in early 20th-century western art music, with a focus on modernism, atonality, and technology. Using musical terminology that we’ve developed in class, write a 4-5 page essay describing the sound qualities of the music you select in the context of early 20th-century art music and/or the composer’s aesthetic standpoint.
The main requirement is that you practice close listening and use musical terms in your essay. Use your ears as your primary source, and work to describe what you hear in detail. Please do not rely on others’ descriptions of these musical works. Describe instrumentation, texture, melody, harmony, rhythm, text-setting, timbre, etc. You may draw from themes we’ve discussed in class, content you’ve learned from reading, or summaries available on Oxford Music Online. Remember the focus should be on your interpretation and description of musical sound. Part of the assignment is exploring new music through a range of resources – library CDs, Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, or artist websites – and getting exposure to a range of musical sounds and styles. First interactions with art and music are sometimes just as revealing as long studies of them, so take the opportunity to explore some music and works and form a creative and critical response based on listening.
Please consult the list of musical terms on Canvas under Files - General Course Materials. This will serve as a reminder of the kinds of components you should be considering in relation to the song or musical work.
Start by choosing an artist from class discussion who intrigued you and begin exploring some works to choose a song or piece. You may want to read the entry for the artist on Oxford Music Online, or revisit assigned reading which addressed that artist. Again, the essay should not report on biography or those readings, but really focus on your experience of listening using musical terminology. Expect to listen to your musical selections several times, and take notes before you start composing the essay.
Some artists/works to consider:
Richard Strauss (Salome), Igor Stravinsky (Le Sacre du Printemps), Arnold Schoenberg (Verklärte Nacht, Pierrot Lunaire), Alban Berg (Wozzeck), Anton Webern (Kinderstuck), Erik Satie (Parade), Darius Milhaud (Le Boeuf Sur Le Toit), Pierre Boulez (Structures 1a), Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry, (Symphonie Pour Une Homme Seule), Pierre Schaeffer (Etudes des Bruits), Edgard Varèse (Poème Electronique), George Antheil (Ballet Mécanique), Pauline Oliveros (Mnemonics), Wendy Carlos (Switched-On Bach) and Milton Babbitt (Philomel) and others.