Follow this link to return to the syllabus and index.





Music 653

Guidelines for Presentations: 20th Century

Suggested textbooks: Robert P. Morgan, Twentieth-Century Music; Glenn Watkins, Soundings: Music in the Twentieth Century

 

  • Debussy: Symbolism and Impressionism
    • Life: training, influences, important life events
    • Personal stylistic development
    • Include discussion of the following works by principal composers in terms of typical structure, style (there will not be time to listen to all of them -- bring scores to look at; maybe play short selections):
      • Pelléas et Mélisande [CD box 5; M1500.D28 P4]
      • Fêtes gallants II [CD 581]
    • In the study sheet, include a works list of the most important works in the following mediums: art song, opera, choral music.
  • Atonality and Expressionism
    • Explain the terms.
    • Discuss the progression from tonal music to atonal music.
    • Discuss the principal musical characteristics of expressionism.
    • Include discussion of the following works by principal composers in terms of typical structure, style (there will not be time to listen to all of them -- bring scores to look at; maybe play short selections):
      • Schoenberg: Erwartung [CD 699; M1500.S41 E84 1950]
      • Berg: Wozzeck [on order; M1500.B48 W62 c.2]
  • Schoenberg and Serialism
    • Schoenberg’s life: training, influences, important life events
    • Discuss the development of the serial process.
    • Discuss total serialization.
    • Include discussion of the following works by principal composers in terms of typical structure, style (there will not be time to listen to all of them -- bring scores to look at; maybe play short selections):
      • Schoenberg: Pierrot Lunaire [CD 1234; M1625.S26 P5 1914b]
      • Schoenberg: Das Buch der hängende Gärten [CD 584; M1620.S364 B66 1995]
      • Schoenberg: Three Songs for Low Voice and Piano, Op. 48 [CD 584; M1621.S35 Op. 48]
      • Webern: Cantata, Op. 29 [CDBox 34; M1530.W37 op. 29]
    • In the study sheet, include a works list of Schoenberg’s most important works in the following mediums: art song, opera, choral music.
  • Stravinsky and Neoclassicism
    • Discuss the meaning of the term "neoclassicism." and characteristics of the style, especially as practiced by Stravinsky.
    • Stravinsky’s life: training, influence, important life events, personal stylistic development
    • Discuss characteristics of the style, especially as practiced by Stravinsky.
    • Include discussion of the following works in terms of typical structure, style (there will not be time to listen to all of them—bring scores to look at; play short selections):
      • Stravinsky: The Rake’s Progress [CD 1744; M1500.S895 R3]
      • Oedipus Rex [CD 3228; M1500.S896 O26 1949a]
      • Symphony of Psalms [CD 491; M2023.S882 S95]
      • Canticum sacrum [CD 491; M2020.S882 C32]
    • In the study sheet, include a works list of Stravinsky’s most important works in the genres of opera and choral music.
  • Nationalism and Avant garde
    • Define nationalism.
    • Discuss how nationalism affected music in Europe and the United States.
    • Discuss some aspects of avant garde music: e.g. electronic music, chance music, improvisation, minimalism
    • Include discussion of the following works by principal composers in terms of typical structure, style, medium (there will not be time to listen to all of them -- bring scores to look at; maybe play short selections):
      • Bartok: Cantata profana [CD 795; M1530.B37 C35]
      • Ives: [pick a song] [CD 606; M1620 I92]
      • Babbitt: Philomel [CD 1095]
      • Penderecki: Dies irae (1967) [CD 3034; M2000.P323 D5 1967]
      • Reich: Tehillim [CD 1710; M2018.R45 T4]

 

Last updated 19 January 2001 - For technical information contact the webmaster