VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Of 20 th CENTURY

 20th century music is defined by the sudden emergence of advanced technology for
recording and distributing music as well as dramatic innovations in musical forms and
styles.
 The history and politics of the 20th century provided inspiration for the diverse range of musical
styles developed between 1900 and 1999, pioneered by composers ranging from elgar and
Britten, to Stravinsky, Gershwin, and John William. Advancing technology enabled the recording
of classical music and jazz which in turn lead to the rise of globe straddling artist like Pavarotti
and callas.
 The development of powerful, loud guitar amplifiers and sound reinforcement systems in the
1960s and 1970s permitted bands to hold large concerts where even those with the least
expensive tickets could hear the show. Composers and songwriters experimented with new
musical styles, such as genre fusions (e.g., the late 1960s fusion of jazz and rock music to create
jazz fusion). As well, composers and musicians used new electric, electronic, and digital
instruments and musical devices. In the 1980s, some styles of music, such as electronic dance
music genres such as house music were created largely with synthesizers and drum machines.
Faster modes of transportation such as jet flight allowed musicians and fans to travel more
widely to perform or hear shows, which increased the spread of musical styles.

~ The start of 20th century saw the rise of distinct musical away from the convention of earlier
classical music . These new styles expressionism , neo-classicism ,avant garde music and
Modern Nationalism.
________________NEO-CLASSICIM__________________
 “NEO” means new
 “CLASSICIM” means the revival of a classical style or treatment in art, literature,
architecture,or music.
 Neo-classicism in music was a twentieth century development, particularly
popular in the period between the two world wars, in which composers drew
inspiration from music of the eighteenth century.
 Neo-classicism was a moderating factor between the emotional excesses of the
romantic period and the violent impulse of the soul in expressionism. It earlier
styles of writing, particularly the tightly-knit from the classical period ,while
combining tonal harmonies with slight dissonances . It also adopted a modern ,
freer use of the seven notediatonic scale.
 Characteristics features include balance , objectivity, economy, and clarity . In
spite of its obvious intent of classical parody , with frequent musical quotation ,
Neo-classic music still sounds fresh and new , never relying on exact mimicry of
 older styles. Neo-classicism was once considered the pre-eminent 20 th century
styles. (Prior to 1950), and wrote music under its infuence.
Example of Neo-classicism:
 Bela Bartok's song of the bagpipe ang piano sonata .
- In this latter piece , the classical three movement format is combined with ever
-shifting time signatures, complex but exciting rhythmic patterns, as well as
harmonic dissonance that produce harsh chords.

COMPORSER: NEO -CLASSICISM STYLE WAS ALSO USED BY COMPERSERS SUCH US:

 FRANCIS POULENC
 B ELA BARTOK
 IGOR STRAVINSKY
 P AUL HINDEMITH
 SERGEI PROKOFIEFF

AVANT GARDE MUSIC.

 Delived from french , “advance guard” or “vanguard”, literally 'fore-guard”

 Describes movement or individuals at the forefront of innovation and experimentation in their
fields.
 Avant-garde in music can refer to any from of music working within traditional structure while
seeking to breach boundaries in some manner. The term is used loosely to describe the work of
any musicians who radically depart form tradition altogether.
 Closely associated with electronic music
 The avant garde movement dealt with the parameters or the dimensions of sound in space . The
avant garde style exhibited a new attitude toward musical mobility, where by the order of note
groups could be varied so that musical continuity could be alterd. Improvisation was a necessity
in this style , for the musicl scores were not necessarily followed as written.

CHARACTERISTICS OF AVANT GARDE MUSIC;

 Avanr garde was originally used to describe serialism. Serialism is a method or technique of
composition that uses a series of values to manipulate different musical elements. Serialism
began primarily with Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique.

FAMOUS COMPORSERS:

 George Gershwin
 Jhon Cage
 Leopard Bernstein
 Philip Glass
 MODERN NATIONALISM

 A looser form of 20th century music development focused on nationalist composer and musical
innovators who sought to ombine modern techniques with folk materials.
 Classical style music has often gane hand in hand with the virtue of partriotism especially in the
latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century
 Refers to the use of musical idea or matifs that are identified witj a specific country, religion,
rhythms,and harmonies inspired by them .
 In eastern europe , prominent figures like Bela Bartok and Sergei prokofiev who were non-
classicists to certain extent.
 Famous waork of Sergei prokofiev: “vissions fugitive”
 Five composers known as “Russian Five”-a highly gifted generation of creative individuals.
Modest Mussorgysky, Mili Balakiev, Alexander Borodin, Cesar Cuu ,and Nikolai rimsky koaakov.