Late Romantic and Early modernist

Question 1

Describe some musical responses to Wagnerism according to Fauser

Answer 1

Expanded chromatic harmony, quasi-polyphonic voice leading, idiosyncratic combinations of instruments, ‘endless’ melodies

Question 2

According to Fauser, where was the first wave of Wagnerism seen?

Answer 2

French Opera for example Massenet (ironic due to Franco-German relations at the time)

Question 3

Name elements of 19th Century Romanticism (especially German)

Answer 3

Enlightenment period into industrialization, mechanization and rationalization. Subjectivity and individuality, Spontaneity, authenticity, idealism, nationalism, folk tales/ myth

Question 4

What are some of the key themes of Wagner’s work?

Answer 4

Romanticism, Chromaticism, texture, sound pallet, orchestration, leitmotif, opera

Question 5

Define Wagnerism

Answer 5

The impact of his music of society

Question 6

Define Gesamtkunstwerk (Total art work)

Answer 6

Wagner’s aesthetics and idealism, a combination of music, poetry, drama and theatre.

Question 7

Describe ‘The Ring Cycle’

Answer 7

Connects German folk hero Siegfried with medieval Iceland Gods, 4 separate Operas, Ideas of Origin, destiny, Pathos and redemption.

Question 8

Give detail about the Opera ‘Die Walkure’

Answer 8

3 Acts, Females making decision for life or death of warriors. Leitmotif important here (heard mostly in the oveture)

Question 9

Explain the politics of Wagnerism

Answer 9

Music, Politics and philosophy altogether, Pathos for unattainable, loss, suffering, death, idealism of Art leading to social transformation or revolution, progress, nationalism.

Question 10

According to Devoto what are the main styles of Debussy’s work?

Answer 10

Earliest style (influence from Chopin for example in Arabesques), Heterophonic orchestra, Piano sound (pour le piano), Characteristic sonorities (harmony independent of tonal function), Heterophony of earlier works in a larger proportion

Question 11

Define Sonic Materiality

Answer 11

Medium of poetry, expressive merely as sound and the atmosphere; not creating symbolism.

Question 12

Define ‘Atmosphere’ in Debussy’s work

Answer 12

Emersion in the music; Symbolism with Impressionism creates the Debussyan atmosphere

Question 13

Define ‘Symbolism’

Answer 13

Universal representation

Question 14

Define ‘Impressionism’

Answer 14

Visual into the aural (moving away from German ‘maximalism’)

Question 15

What were the three main sections of Stravinsky’s working life?

Answer 15

Russian Period (eg Ballet Russes collaboration), Neoclassicism and Serialism

Question 16

How were Rhythmic cycles developed in Stravinsky’s work?

Answer 16

Lengethned and Shortened

Question 17

What are the two main Rhythmic devices used by Stravinsky?

Answer 17

Changing metre and Superimposing fragments with different metrical cycles.

Question 18

Explain Polythematicism in regards to Stravinksy’s work

Answer 18

Rhythmic fragments appearig consecutively in a block with the same metrical cycle (same number of beats)

Question 19

Define Metaphysics

Answer 19

The philosophy’s and ideas that underpin Schoenberg’s approach to Composition. Mainly seen in transtition from free atonality into 12 tone system

Question 20

Explain what is meant by ‘threshold’ in regards to Shoenbergs work and Metaphysics.

Answer 20

A Structural function giving metaphysics power, Suspension and displacement of musical lines, Threshold between two worlds.

Question 21

Define ‘Athematicism’

Answer 21

Music not based on theme