Nationalism & 20th Century Music: Styles, Composers, & Evolution
Nationalism in Music
Nationalism is a movement connected with the Romantic era, arising from countries reacting to foreign domination.
Nationalist Music (1850-1919)
This period parallels Romanticism, with a focus on less traditional musical forms. Early nationalist musicians were Russian, followed by Hungarian and Spanish composers. National music was inspired by the folklore and musical traditions of each country.
- Russian: Glinka and Tchaikovsky
- Finnish: Sibelius
- Romanian: Bartok
Spanish Folk Instruments
Traditional Spanish instruments include:
- Bagpipes and hurdy-gurdies (horn)
- Tambourine (membranophone)
- Castanets (idiophones)
- Storks (chordophones)
Spanish Nationalism
Spanish folklore incorporates Arab, Jewish, and Gypsy influences, featuring dances like jacks, fandangos, and sevillanas. Spanish nationalism in music is characterized by a new language derived from folkloric roots, influenced by Eastern culture. The piano and guitar are commonly used. Felipe Pedrell was a precursor, with Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granados, Manuel de Falla, and Joaquin Turina as key composers.
20th Century Music
The 20th century saw significant political, economic, and demographic changes, including two World Wars. Music was dominated by movements in France (Impressionism) and Vienna (Expressionism).
Early 20th Century Movements
The first half of the 20th century saw the development of:
- Impressionism: (Debussy)
- Post-Romanticism: (Strauss)
- Twelve-tone: (Schoenberg)
- Expressionism: (Webern)
- Futurism, Utilitarianism
Late 20th Century Developments
The second half of the 20th century incorporated new technologies, leading to musical currents like concrete, random, electronica, minimalist, and electroacoustic music. There was significant development in electrophones.
Characteristics of 20th Century Music
Key features include:
- Primacy of instruments
- Breaking with traditional harmony
- Irregular rhythms and polyrhythms
- Influence of oriental music and jazz
- Atonality
Musical Movements
Impressionism
A pictorial-musical movement that emerged in France in the late 19th century, focusing on light and color rather than form. Inspired by Impressionist painters, it emphasizes instruments, sound beauty, and sensory aspects. Sources of inspiration include poetry and nature. Impressionism imported pentatonic scales and rediscovered whole-tone scales. Claude Debussy is a key representative.
Post-Romanticism
In late 19th-century Germany, composers continued the symphonic tradition, seeking formal perfection like Brahms and Wagner. Major composers include Mahler, Rachmaninov, and Strauss.
Expressionism
Expressionism emerged from Post-Romanticism, reflecting the drama of man after World War I. Schoenberg is a key figure of the Viennese School. Expressionism abandoned tonality, leading to the twelve-tone system.