Module 14

Question 1

Ballet

Answer 1

-A form of theatrical performance dance

~Movement and music together tell a story

Question 2

Igor Stravinsky

Answer 2

• Russian ballet composer of the early 20th century
• Famous ballet musical
  ~Petrushka (1911)
  *Unique textures were in rhythm and harmony (Russian folk songs)
  **Abrupt shifts with unexpected pauses or changes to the tempo
  *Polytonality
  -Most famous Ballet
  ~The Right of Spring (1913)
  *People rioted after the first act due to the new concept of polytonality

Question 3

Polytonality

Answer 3

• The use of two or more keys at the same time

Question 4

Aaron Copland

Answer 4

• American composer of the 20th century
  -Music for ballets
  ~Appalachian Spring (1944)
  *Pioneers
  ~Rodeo (1942)
  *Cowgirl
  ~Billy the Kid (1938)
  *Outlaw
  -Is credited with developing a truly American style of Ballet
  -He used open and slowly changing harmonies
  -Played around with tonality
  -Altering the keys of his compositions
• Occasionally incorporating atonality
  -Derived American ballet by themes and technical compositional styles

Question 5

Atonality

Answer 5

-The lack of any musical key
~The composer balances all twelve tones to prevent a central key from forming is one of the defining traits of modernist music

Question 6

Modern experimental music

Answer 6

-Style of composition developed in the mid-20th century that is focused on expanding the range of sounds accepted in music rather than strict elements of musical theory

Question 7

Charles Ives

Answer 7

-American modernist composer who helped set important foundations for experimental music
-One of the earliest composers to begin systematically experimenting with music changing the accepted patterns of rhythms, keys, harmonies, and notes
-He incorporated American folk music into his compositions which was largely unprecedented in professional music
-He was on of the first people in America to work on experimental pieces
-Some of his experimental pieces
~Central Park in the Dark (1906)
~The Unanswered Question (1908)

Question 8

John Cage

Answer 8

• American composer of the mid-20th century
  -One of the first to really start experimental music; not in terms of what music was composed of, but in terms of how it was played
  -Instead of relying on standard instruments, cage began experimenting with new sounds
  -One of his notable contributions was his with the prepared piano
  -His most famous piece
  ~ Four Minutes thirty-three seconds (1952)
  *The orchestra does not play a single note

Question 9

Prepared Piano

Answer 9

• A piano with objects inserted between the strings to alter the sound they make

Question 10

Found instruments

Answer 10

• Objects not created for musical use but used as instruments
  ~Forks
  ~Bicycle horns
  ~Baseball bats

Question 11

Philip Glass

Answer 11

• American composer of the mid to late 20th century

- Most associated with the form of modern music called minimalism

Question 12

Minimalism

Answer 12

• Style characterized by repetitive musical themes representing a work in progress
  ~There is not subject to the peace; the point is to explore the process of listening to music