Modern Flashcards
Name 3 modern era composers
Debussy
Stravinsky
Louie
Claude Debussy dates?
1862-1918
Where was Debussy born
St Germaine en laye, France.
In 1872 Debussy….
Entered the Paris conservatoire
Name 3 of Debussy teachers
Marmontel
Durand
Guiraud
What prestigious award did Debussy win
1884 - the Prix de Rome
For l’enfant prodigue
Name 2 other jobs Debussy held
Piano teacher for the von Meck family
Music critic for revue Blanche in Paris
The successful premiere of what work enhanced Debussy reputation?
Opera: pélléas et mélisande
List 4 contemporary composers Debussy interacted with
Fauré Satie Chausson Ravel Stravinsky
Modern Era dates
1900-present
Debussy’s musical influences and contributions
Influenced by impressionist painters - his music suggests rather than depicts, instrumental colour, obscured metric pulse
Composed on programmatic elements - water (la mer) moonlight (nocturnes) pastoral..
Drawn to mythological themes , often witty and satirical (prelude a l’apres midi d’un faun)
Experimented with unconventional forms in structure, phrasing
Explored Western and non-western scales - was influenced by Asian art and music
New approaches to harmony including quartal harmony
What genres did Debussy compose for
Orchestral works (l'apres midi d'un..) Operas (pélléas et mélisande) Ballet (jeux) Chamber music Vocal works Solo piano
A Symphonic poem based on the pastoral poem by Mallarme
Prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune- Claude Debussy
when was prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune composed
1894 (but exhibits 20th century characteristics)
in what ways does prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune exhibit 20th century style characteristics?
use of harp glissando, muted horns and strings
how is impressionism created in prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune
muted tone, floating image, lack of metrical pulse
what is the form of prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune
loose ABA
what unique orchestration is used in prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune
antique cymbals, 2 harps
prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune
key, time, tempo
no tonal centre, but key signature begins and ends with 4 sharps
9/8 time
tres modere
what is the story of l’apres midi d’un faune?
a mythological faun is visited by 3 nymphs, perhaps in a dream The music has a hazy, dream like quality
describe prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune
ABA
A: mysterious atmosphere, depicting floating nymphs, opening chromatic melody played by the flute, outlines triton
B:introduces 2 new themes, more exotic, with rapid whole-tone scales
A section returns antique cymbals are struck in final section
Where does Alexina Louie live?
Vancouver, BC CANADA
Alexina Louie accomplishments
ARCT from RCM
music major at UBC
masters in composition from U of Caliifornia
taught theory and composition at RCM and U of Western ON
Alexina Louie awards
2 junos
honorary doctorate from U of Calgary
SOCAN award
Order of Canada award
Name Alexina Louie’s teachers and husband
Robert Erikson, Pauline Oliveros (teachers at U of Cali)
Alex Pauk- husband (composer, conductor)
describe Alexina Louies musical style
combines traditional structure with contemporary languge
combines Asian and Western styles
influences of minimalism- few notes, little harmony
influences include Stravinksy and Debussy
What genres does Alexina Louie compose for
Keyboard works (distant memories) Chamber music (demon gate) orchestral works (O magnum mysterium- written in memory of glenn gould) vocal works film scores operas electronic music
when was Alexina Louie born?
1949
When was Distant Memories composed
1982
Name the 4 pieces from Alexina Louies ‘Music for Piano’
- The Enchanted Bells
- Changes
- Distant Memories
- Once Upon A Time
what is the genre of Distant Memories
solo piano
what is the form of distant memories?
Arch form (ABCBA) the A section is modified and expanded at the end of the piece
Describe the A section of distant memories
Senza Misura- written in real time, no time signature. approx. duration of each line is written in minutes and seconds improvisatory feel with flared beaming=notes played from slow to as fast as possible. contemporary features (note heads with no stems) fermatas, etc. give a sense of spontaneity
describe the B section of distant memories
marked quasi berceuse
uses time signature but changes frequently
gentle rocking feel.
LH interval 6th never changes
describe the C section of distant memories
piu mosso, 3/4 time
more forward motion
strong melody, more complex harmony
describe the plot of WSS
based on romeo and Juliet, in 1950’s NYC
2 rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks (American vs Puerto rican)
romnce between maria (PR) and Tony (jet)
WSS genre: date: librettist: Choreographer:
Musical theatre
1957
Sondheim
Robbins
Describe the song Maria from WSS
tony sings, he has just met and fallen in love with Maria and reflects on her name
open with chant like intonation, depicts tony’s worshipful adoration of Maria
how is strife and yearning conveyed in Maria from WSS?
the tri-tone interval on MA-Ri-A
MARIA, WSS
key:
Time
B major-Eb major
4/4
Describe the setting of America from WSS
Anita and Rosalia singing in an alley
Roslia expresses home sickness for PR, anita declares love for new home manhattan
describe America, WSS
verse-chorus structure!
verse: a sense of yearning and nostalgia conveyed through long phrases and free rhythm
chorus: C major, with jazzy modulations, syncopated phrases
alternates 6/8 and 3/4 creating hemiola effect,by changing the metric accents, notes grouped in 3 are grouped in 2, etc.
what instruments are used in America, WSS?
claves and guiro open with ostinato
Spanish guitar, celesta
