Iconic Music Pieces: Romanticism & 20th Century
Romanticism
1. NAME: Symphony No. 5 (first movement)
2. COMPOSER: Beethoven (1770-1827)
3. ERA: Romanticism
4. GENRES: Instrumental
5. TEXTURES: Polyphonic
6. INSTRUMENTS: Symphony orchestra (big orchestra with instruments of all families: string, woodwind, brass, and percussion)
This is perhaps the most famous work for the symphony orchestra repertoire. It is a very special piece, and it is unlikely that you have not heard it before. Beethoven was a prodigy child and was famous for his unfortunate deafness,
Spanish Literature: Modernism and the Generation of ’98
Key Authors and Works of Spanish Modernism and the Generation of ’98
| Genres | Authors | Works |
|---|---|---|
| Lyric | Rubén Darío Manuel Machado Antonio Machado | Solitudes, Galleries and Other Poems Campos de Castilla |
| Narrative | Miguel de Unamuno Pío Baroja Azorín | The Tree of Knowledge Will |
| Theater | Valle-Inclán Jacinto Benavente | Bohemian Lights |
| Essay | Unamuno Azorín |
Modernist Poetry
Modernist poetry did not intend to bear witness to reality but circumvented it through imaginative play and delight in the senses. Great importance is given
Read MoreOrchestral Instruments
Percussion |
| Brass |
Woodwind Strings Conductor |
The Conductor
The conductor uses a score with all the parts, which are in order. They control the tempo using a hand or baton. They cue in musicians, especially for brass and percussion, and interpret the music, much like a film director.
String Instruments
Violin
Bowed: Open note. Changing the length of strings by pressing down (stopping). String close to the bridge: high note. String further: low note. Double-stopping: Two notes played at the same time. Tremolo:
Read MoreStravinsky 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
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