The 20th Century
Kids Music Corner -- Here you will find dates, information, and a little about the music style.
Sphinx Kids -- Here you will find a few composers, but there is lots of other info to come back to later!
HyperMusic - Lots of info here!
Sphinx Kids -- Here you will find a few composers, but there is lots of other info to come back to later!
- Click on "Composer's Gallery"
- Click on "Style"
- Click on "20th Century"
- Click on the composers to read about them!
HyperMusic - Lots of info here!
Main Themes:
Main Styles
Unlike the periods we have learned about before, the 20th Century can not be defined simply by one set of characteristics. Just as technology developed faster and faster, so did art and music. In the 20th Century, we see art forms breaking into different styles. Some are below:
- Breaking the established musical rules with melody, harmony, and form
- Bringing back old rules in a new way (this is the neo in neo-Classicism and neo-Romanticism, etc.)
- Demonstrating clear political, religious, and ideological beliefs
- Reflecting the events of the time
Main Styles
Unlike the periods we have learned about before, the 20th Century can not be defined simply by one set of characteristics. Just as technology developed faster and faster, so did art and music. In the 20th Century, we see art forms breaking into different styles. Some are below:
- minimalism -- using one or few ideas -- as little information as possible
- nationalism -- expressing identity with one's culture
- impressionism -- forming vague suggestions of subjects rather than clear pictures
- expressionism -- dissonant, powerful emotional messages
- surrealism -- distorted reality-- dream-like
- aleatory/chance -- music that is half-written, and half expected to be made up or decided by the performer
- avant-garde -- pushing boundaries
- neo-Classicism-- bringing back forms and ideas from the Classical period and adding new ideas to them
