20th Century Music

HISTORY OF 20TH CENTURY MUSIC

• The 20th century was the first century of recorded music. Swing jazz
in the 1920s and 30s aimed for making people move. The music was
rhythmic, repetitive and danceable. Over time, however, different sub-
categories of jazz evolved into less danceable music, such as bebop,
cool jazz, and free jazz.
 TOP 5
COMPOSER’S OF THE
20TH CENTURY
CLAUDE DEBUSSY

• Often deemed a leading figure in French music and the founder of musical
impressionism, he is known for his uniquely structured compositions, non-
traditional scales and tonal structures.
• In his later years, Debussy continued to compose and perform his works around the
world as well as writing as a critic.
• For him “Music is the space between the notes”.
ARTURO TOSCANINI

• Like Debussy, Toscanini demonstrated his talents from a young age.  Aged nine, he

entered Parma’s Royal School of Music and by 17, he was already conducting his
own compositions.  He graduated with the highest honours in composition and cello.
• His career in conducting began as something of an accident.  Aged 19, when touring
as a cellist for an opera company, he filled in as the conductor one night.  After much
acclaim, he decided to serve as conductor for the rest of the season.
• For him “God tells me how the music should sound, but you stand in the way”.
MAURICE RAVEL

• Ravel’s legacy is that of one of France’s most popular and complex composers.  He
was considered anti-Wagnerian, Impressionist and Neo-classicist.
• Aged 14, Ravel showed potential and was admitted to the Paris Conservatoire.
 Throughout his time there, he composed many successful works including Pavane
pour une infante défunte, and Jeux d’eau.
• For him “The truly love affair I have ever had was with music.”
IGOR STRAVINSKY

• His big break came after Serge Diaghilev, having been impressed by Stravinsky’s
work, commissioned some orchestral arrangements for his Ballets Russes.  This
eventually led to the commissioning of The Fire Bird which turned Stravinsky into a
big success.
• He gained notoriety for the controversial The Rite of Spring, which incited a riot
when it had its premiere.
• For him “The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees one’s self. And the
arbitrariness of the constraint serves only to obtain precision of execution.”
GUSTAV MAHLER

• Mahler began singing and composing on the accordion aged just four and went on to
enter the Vienna Conservatoire at 15.  Despite composing at school, he opted for a
career in conducting after he graduated.
• Mahler’s compositions were symphonic rather than operatic. He composed 10
emotionally-charged symphonies in his career.  His work is characteristic of the
Romanticism movement
• For him “All that is not perfect down to the smallest detail is doomed to perish.”