MUSIC QUARTER 1 – REVIEWER

Music of the 20th Century C. Rhythm

 The rise of distinct musical styles that
reflected a move away from the
conventions of the earlier Western
classical music.
 The distinct musical style of the 20 th
century would not have developed if not
for the musical genius of individual
composers such as Claude Debussy,
Maurice Ravel, Arnold Schoenberg, Bela
Bartok, Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Prokofieff,
and George Gershwin.
 They stand out as the moving forces
behind the innovative and experimental
styles in the 20th Century music.
 The most striking element of music
during the 20th century is the rhythm
which is used to provoke power, drive,
and excitement.
 It is a strong, regular, repeated
pattern of movement or sound.
 Polyrhythm, or the use of two or more
contrasting or independent rhythms
at the same time, developed during
this period.
 Ostinato, or the constant repetition of
a group of pitches, was also used
during the 20th century.

Characteristics of 20th Century Music D. Tempo

During this period, the elements of music such  Tempo is the speed or pace of a
as rhythm, melody, tone color, and harmony piece.
became more complicated and extraordinary.  A piece of music’s tempo is typically
written at the start of the score, and in
A. Tone Color modern Western music is usually
indicated in beats per minute (BPM).
 Tone color is also known as the timbre
which refers to the quality of sound. TEMPO DEFINITION
 Timbre distinguishes different types of MARKING
sound production, such as choir voices Prestissimo Very Very Fast
and musical instruments, such as string (> 200bmp)
instruments, wind instruments, and
Presto Very Fast (168-200bpm)
percussion instruments.
Allegro Fast (120-168bpm)
B. Harmony Moderato Moderately
(108-120bpm)
 Harmony is the combination of Andante Walking Pace
simultaneously sounded musical (76-108 bpm)
notes to produce chords and chord Adagio Slow and Stately
progressions having a pleasing effect. (66-76bpm)
 Chords were divided into two types: Lento/Largo Very Slow (40-60bpm)
consonant (stable) and dissonant Grave Slow and Solemn
(unstable). Traditionally, only three- (20-40bpm)
toned chord (triad) is consonant and all
the other chords are considered E. Dynamics
dissonant.
 By the 20th century, composers used  It is the loudness or softness of
freshly created harmonies by placing one sound.
traditional chord against another, thus
creating a polychord. Aside from
polychord, a fourth chord also
developed during the 20th century.