Neo classicism

• Neo classicism was a moderating factor

between the emotional excesses of romantic
period and the violent impulses of the soul in
expressionism.
• The neo classicist was also used by composers
such as francis paulenc, igor stravinsky, paul
hidemith, and sergei prokofieff
 Sergie prokofieff (1891-1953)
• Sergei prokofieff is regarded today as a
combination of a neo classicist, nationalist,
and avant garde composer.
• His style is uniquely recognizable for its
progressive technique, pulsating rhythms,
melodic directness and resolving dissonance
• He is born in ukraine in 1891,
• His early compositions is branded as avant
garde and were not approved of by his elders.
• He continued to follow his stylistic path and
fled to other places, hoping for a better
acceptance of his creativity.
• He also write music for ballet and opera ,
notably the ballet romeo and juliet and the
opera peace and war
• He became prolific in writing symphonies,
chamber music, concerti and solo
instrumental music.
• He also wrote peter and the wolf- a
lighthearted orchestral work intended for
children, to appease the continuing
government crackdown on avant garde
composers at that time.
• Prokofieff was highly successful in his piano
music, evidenced by the wide acceptance of
his piano concerti and sonatas, featuring
toccata like rhythms.
 Francis poulenc (1899-1963)
• Francis jean marcel poulenc was one of the
relatively few composers born into wealth and
a privileged social position.
• He was a member of the group of young
french composers known as les six.
• He rejected the heavy romanticism of wagner
and the so called imprecision of debussy and
ravel.
• Paulenc was a successful composer for piano,
voice, and choral music.
• Works of paulenc
• Concert champetre(1928)
• Concerto for two pianos (1932)
• Concerto for solo piano(1949)
• Paulencs vocal works reveal his strength as
lyrical melodist.
• Opera works of paulenc
• Les mamelles de tiresias explain his light
hearted character
• Dialogues des carmelites highlighted his
conservative lighting style
• La voix humane reflect his turbulent life
• Paulencs choral works tended to be more
somber and solemn
• Paulenc compositions total around 185 which
include solo piano works as well as vocal solos
which highlight his temperament in his avant-
garde style.
• He died in paris on january on 30, 1963