Neoclassicism

Question 1

How was war a catalyst for neoclassicism?

Answer 1

Breakdown in traditional values, rejection of romanticism, rise of objectivism, cynicism towards earlier romantic ideals (irony)

Question 2

Examples of early Stravinsky neoclassical

Answer 2

Pulcinella suite - quotes pergolesi melodies but grotesques them

Question 3

In what ways did neoclassicism align with marxist ideas?

Answer 3

Focus on reason, Rational thought, objectivism, order, athiest, lack of mysticism

Question 4

What was Ortega y Gasset’s critique of romanticism?

Answer 4

When we listen to it we are enjoying our emotions and the immediate response, rather than looking at the beauty of the art as an object

Question 5

What is irony fundamentally about? (2)

Answer 5

Tensions of truth, playing with spheres of knowledge

Question 6

How are Irony and Sublime related?

Answer 6

They are opposites - sublime is about something so overwhelming it can;t be understood or comprehended, irony sits within knowing looking down from above

Question 7

Ways in which neoclassicism is ironic?

Answer 7

Using classical irony and wit that played with its own conventions; further parodying the classical style itself; the dramatic irony of knowing that this is not a classical composer, this is a modern replica and old style imbued into a traumatic and turbulent time; not trying to be authentic - inherently sarcastic; tension of formalist composer as a classicist

Question 8

Irony in shost 9?

Answer 8

Sarcastic - meant to be triumphant and it knows that, but instead is light and humourous - playing with expectations and idea of victory - victory at what cost? plagued by the trauma of the horrors of WW2

Question 9

Irony through neoclassicism? (4)

Answer 9

Facetious 5-1 of trombone parodying struggle and triumph; strict adherence to sonata form to a parody level, behaving but not really - it sounds robotic instead; general light mood and wit in the classicism - piccolo melody is bathotic; lack of beethovenian or mahlerian huge ending seen in 5 and 7 - thinner orchestration

Question 10

How is prokofiev’s classical symphony socialist realist? (3)

Answer 10

It features typical melodies; it is accessible to the people; follows traditional sonata form (narrative)

Question 11

Differing Accessibility within Neoclassical?

Answer 11

Le six e.g Poulenc les Biches more accessible melodies, light and easy going, whereas Hindemith Kammermusik or Stravinsky octet or dunbarton oaks explore rhythmic grotesque, unusual orchestration