Stravinsky and the Evolution of 20th-Century Music
Igor Stravinsky’s Influence on Music
Igor Stravinsky’s work resumed the history of music, bringing a new European sound, devoid of subtleties. He utilized the oldest musical elements, primarily rhythm. His formation was related to Russian nationalism and the ballets composed for Sergei Diaghilev.
First Stage: Paris
Igor Stravinsky, installed in Paris, created The Firebird, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring. The latter was considered a key work of the time and promoted a notable scandal due to its aggressive
Read MoreBernat Metge’s Masterpiece: A Journey Through Humanism
Bernat Metge’s First Book
During this part, the author, who is locked in prison, receives a visit in his dreams from the soul of King Joan I. They engage in a religious and philosophical dialogue on the immortality of the soul. Of the four books, this one most reflects humanistic thinking, doubting all things and arguing rationally.
Bernat Metge’s Second Book
We learn the identity of King Joan’s two companions, who are the characters of classical mythology: Tiresias and Orpheus. This is also a clearly
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age: Society, Culture, and Religion
The Spanish Golden Age: Society, Culture, and Religion
The Spanish Golden Age spanned from approximately the end of the reign of the Catholic Monarchs to the death of the last of the Habsburgs. Spain reached its maximum territorial splendor during this period. Its political power was immense, but the empire was dismembered from the last quarter of the 16th century. Despite the influx of silver from the Indies, Spain became involved in continuous wars during this era. The 16th and 17th centuries are
Read MoreMusical Styles and Instruments of the Renaissance Era
Renaissance Music: Sacred, Secular, and Instrumental Forms
Sacred Vocal Music
“Obre Jesús” Score
The Protestant Chorale
The Protestant chorale is a simple composition, often based on popular melodies. It is usually written for four voices and in German, with a homophonic texture. These characteristics made it easy for the congregation to participate in the singing, establishing the chorale as the hymn of the Protestant religion.
The English Reformation
In England, Henry VIII broke away from Rome in the
Read MoreUnderstanding Color, Classical Music, and Romantic Music
Understanding Color
- The meanings we relate to color are cultural and therefore changeable.
- Colored lights are used to produce colors in objects which are not a source of light.
- Color blindness can be of different kinds.
- Tints are degradations of hue when white is added to it.
- Cones are the photosensitive cells in our retinas which react to the primary colored lights.
- Pigment colors are used to produce colors in objects which react to the primary colored light.
- Color only exists when there is light, is
Major Musical Movements and Composers of the 20th Century
Impressionism
A pictorial and musical movement that emerged in the 20th century, in which artists tended to create visual music, emphasizing the impression produced in humans by sounds. Gone are the melodic lines, and pentatonic scales are used. Dissonance is employed, with no clear rhythms. Debussy is a prominent figure.
Expressionism
Consists of a despairing vision of the world and creates a critical language that distorts reality. It introduces a new concept of harmony, denying traditional rules
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