A Qualitative Study on Popular and Classical Music
A Qualitative Study on Classical Music from the
20th Century to the Present
OUTLINE
I. Introduction II. Musical Characteristics III. Major Stylistic Developments IV. Chosen Composers of the Major Stylistic Developments V. Conclusion
Classical Music from the 20th Century to the Present
Music is part of our daily lives. Also, no one can deny the fact that music is a language and like language, it is subjected to evolution. Music from the 20th century to the present is known as the modern music era. Modern music, as might be expected, has been subject to advancements in technology. It has been, like everything else, affected by the rate of speed of technological accomplishments in this century. Because classical music is one genre of music, it is expected that it has also evolved during this period of time and it is has also been subjected to advancements in technology.
Musical Characteristics
About the only generalization one can make about modern classical music is to say, it is diverse and often complex. Composers have written for every conceivable medium from a single, solo instrument to a huge symphony orchestra. They have written for conventional orchestra instruments, expected performers to play conventional instruments in nonconventional ways, and written for nonconventional instruments, adding them to the orchestra or creating new ensembles. Composers have written for a tremendous diversity of instrumental combinations, many of them small in number and many incorporating the solo voice. When a composer wrote for large orchestra, the texture frequently was more thin and transparent than was common in orchestral writing towards the end of the nineteenth century. Chromaticism had increased and harmony had become complex, at times reducing the clarity of tonality to the point of absence of tonal center. Melodies were longer, phrases were less clear, and form was more difficult to discern. To a great extent,
20th Century to the Present
OUTLINE
I. Introduction II. Musical Characteristics III. Major Stylistic Developments IV. Chosen Composers of the Major Stylistic Developments V. Conclusion
Classical Music from the 20th Century to the Present
Music is part of our daily lives. Also, no one can deny the fact that music is a language and like language, it is subjected to evolution. Music from the 20th century to the present is known as the modern music era. Modern music, as might be expected, has been subject to advancements in technology. It has been, like everything else, affected by the rate of speed of technological accomplishments in this century. Because classical music is one genre of music, it is expected that it has also evolved during this period of time and it is has also been subjected to advancements in technology.
Musical Characteristics
About the only generalization one can make about modern classical music is to say, it is diverse and often complex. Composers have written for every conceivable medium from a single, solo instrument to a huge symphony orchestra. They have written for conventional orchestra instruments, expected performers to play conventional instruments in nonconventional ways, and written for nonconventional instruments, adding them to the orchestra or creating new ensembles. Composers have written for a tremendous diversity of instrumental combinations, many of them small in number and many incorporating the solo voice. When a composer wrote for large orchestra, the texture frequently was more thin and transparent than was common in orchestral writing towards the end of the nineteenth century. Chromaticism had increased and harmony had become complex, at times reducing the clarity of tonality to the point of absence of tonal center. Melodies were longer, phrases were less clear, and form was more difficult to discern. To a great extent,
References: De Graffenreid, G. (2006). Music!: Its Role and Importance in Our Lives. New York: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. Miller, H. M. (1960). History of Music. New York: Barnes and Noble. Willoughby, D. (1999). The World of Music. New York: McGraw-Hill.