MUSIC HISTORY EXAMINATION MODULE 5 – INSTRUCTION, LISTENING LIST AND SURVEY

Module 5 will be concluded by a written examination about the period 1885 – 1970 on Monday 15
January 2018. As it will be an open book examination, you can use your notes, internet or books
during the examination.

Content and preparation

During the lessons the main musical developments of the late 19th- and 20th-century up to 1970 were
discussed seen in their cultural context (see the survey). During the exam, your knowledge of
repertoire will be tested as well as your understanding of the context. Listen carefully to the works
on the list and use the scores as much as possible. Do not forget your notes and documentation from
the lessons. For general information about the period, the cultural context and biographical
information, please study: D. Grout/Palisca, History of Western Music (EN or NL).

The examination
Listening part: questions will be asked about listening fragments and fragments in score.
General part: questions about main developments in the culture and the music around 1900 and the
first half of the twentieth century, as well as on the context of the works.
Assessment: the exam and the review result in one mark (2/3 resp. 1/3).

Listening list – introduction 20th century

E. Satie, Gnossiènnes for piano (1890)

C. Debussy, Prélude à “l’Après-midi d’un Faune” (1894)
M. Ravel, String quartet (1903), movements 1 and 2
R. Strauss, Salome (1905), 3rd scene
G. Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde, movements 3 and 6 (1907)

A.Schönberg, String quartet no. 2, opus 10, movements 1 and 4 (1908)

Pierrot Lunaire, nos. 1 to 7 (1912)
A. Webern, Bagatelles for string quartet (1913)
I. Stravinsky Le Sacre du Printemps (1913), deel 2;
Symphony of Psalms (1930)
A. Berg Wozzeck (1922), 2e act;
Violinconcerto (1935)
B. Bartók Music for strings, percussion and celesta (1936), deel 4

O. Messiaen Turangalîla Symfonie (1948), deel 1 en 3

P. Boulez Le marteau sans maître (1955)
L. Berio Sinfonia (1968), movement 3
Module 5 – MUSIC HISTORY TWENTIETH CENTURY – a survey

“The musical world of the Twentieth Century is a disintegrated world” (Ton de Leeuw, 1977)

Music Spirit of the time

 Pluralism  No uniformity
 Dissonance  Harmony gets lost (World Wars)

Main developments Features

 Impressionism (France)
 Expressionism (Germany, Austria)
 Futurism (Fr.; It)
 Neo-classicism
 Folklore
Atmospheric, subtle: harmony undefined, new
colours: Satie, Debussy
Emotional: extreme technics, a-tonality: Second
Vienese school and 12-tone technic
Inspiration from engines and industry: Honegger
Inspirations from traditional forms: Stravinsky,
Schostakovic
Folk music as inspiration: Janácek, Bartók

After 1950
 Serialism /modality Parameters in series; Darmstadt: Stockhausen,
Boulez, Messiaen
 Electronic music Stockhausen, Berio
 Light music influence Jazz, dance, pop etc.
 Aleatory Choices for the performer: Cage, Boulez
 Post-serial New music theatre: Penderecki
 New simplicity / postmodern Minimal music: Reich, Glass

IMPORTANT FESTIVALS
 Verein für musikalische Privat-Aufführungen (1918-1921)
 ISCM: International Society for Contemporary Music (1922 …)
 Darmstädter Ferienkurse (1946 ..)
 Donaueschingen (1921-’26) / 1950..)
 Domaine Musical Paris (1954-1973)