Neo-Classicism
:Draw
ing Inspiration fromthe past
Neoclassicism in music was a 20th century development, particularly popular in the period between the two World Wars,
in which composers drew inspiration from music of the 1700s
Balanced form
and structure and
restrained
emotional
content
Modern
instrumental
techniques and chroma
tic harmon
y
Neo-Classicis
m
Neoclassicism can be seen as a reaction against the prevailing trendof 19th century Romanticism. In other words it was reacting against the works of such
composers as Berg, Schoenberg and Webern. Neoclassicism makes a return to balanced forms and often emotional restraint, as
well as 18th century compositional processes and techniques. Advances in modern instrumental resources such as the full orchestra, which had
greatly expanded since the 18th century, and advanced harmony, makes neoclassical works distinctly 20th century.
from classical and baroque era
(classical)
from Romantic
era and turn of the
century (neo = new)
Artists of all kinds were looking for a more truthful, more expressive way of treating human existence in the harsh world of the
20th century
A distorted view of photographic reality
Classical portrait
Neo-classical portraits
Hindemith
From the Baroque and
ClassicalAlso...
ComposersFrom
modern music
TippettProkofiev
Stravinsky
Poulenc Bitonality
Clarity of sound in
solos
Frequent changes of key
Music not describing anything in particular
Echoes of earlier
composers
Deliberate ‘wrong’
notes
Style devoid of emotion
Regular rhythms
Unexpected chord
sequences
Devices such as
alberti bass, sequence &
imitation
Clear texture
Unexpected harmonies
Forms such as sonata, concerto & symphony
Neo - Classicism
One of the masters of 20th century music
Lived to the age of 88
Known as a chameleonic
composerHe went
through 3 or 4 different styles
in his life
Wrote an opera based on 16th century story so researched
the style and liked it so much that he adopted some of the elements of the style into his
own work
SergeiProkofiev
1891-1953
(Ukraine)
Lived in Ukraine which was part of the USSR
Soviet government exercised censorship over music and the
artsMusic wasn’t heard in
public if it was ‘too difficult for the
common man’ to appreciate
Neo-classicism fitted well into this regime
Artistic freedom was suppressed in this way
Was composing aged 5
At 13 he entered the Conservatoire in Moscow
The revolution of 1917 affected his work (and the effect of the Soviet
regime)
Travelled to escape censorship
Met Diaghilev (ballet choreographer) but he
rejected his music
HistoricalContext
Returned to Russia
1918: Classical Symphony was performed (expressed ideas of the past in musical
form)Pleased the Soviet
government but still felt constrained so left Russia
again
Ralph Vaughan-Williams
At the turn of the century he was among the very first to travel
into the countryside to collect folk-songs and
carols from singers
Notated songs and carols for future generations to
enjoy.
Musical editor of The English Hymnal he
composed several hymns that are now
world-wide favourites (For all the Saints, Come
down O love Divine)
Deeply affected by WWI, and the loss
of his composer friend Butterworth
Sustained a long and deep
friendship with the composer Gustav
Holst (Planets)
He also became professor of
composition at the Royal College of
Music in London.
Work included nine symphonies, five operas,
film music, ballet and stage music, several song cycles,
church music and works for chorus and orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH2UcunPAR0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzYpGumhETU