Music of the 20th & 21st Centuries Study Notes

Age of Crisis for the Symphony

  • Historical Context:

    • In 1849, composer Richard Wagner declared Beethoven's Ninth Symphony to be the "last symphony."

    • This declaration raises the question of whether the symphony can adapt to the evolving requirements of modern music.

  • Challenges Facing the Symphony:

    • The symphony holds a reputation with certain historical burdens:

    • Elitism: The art form is often viewed as inaccessible to the general public, favoring an educated audience.

    • High Ethical Content: Musical works are frequently imbued with complex moral and ethical implications.

    • Idealism: Many symphonic pieces reflect utopian aspirations or philosophical ideas that can be difficult to interpret.

    • The symphony is regarded as a quintessentially German genre (German genre par excellence), which occasionally leads to nationalistic or chauvinistic perspectives.

  • Modern Developments:

    • The capacity of the symphony to engage with the harmonic innovations pioneered by the Second Viennese School (composers like Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, and Alban Berg) is under scrutiny.

  • Philosophical Implications:

    • Morton Feldman, a prominent figure in contemporary music, suggested that the perceived divisions between radicals and conservatives in music may be misleading:

    • He stated, "The people who you think are radicals might really be conservatives. The people who you think are conservatives might really be radical." (Morton Feldman in Darmstadt, 1976)

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

  • Geographical Context:

    • Locations relevant to Sibelius's biography and influence:

    • Northern Europe: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and nearby countries.

  • Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major (1915-1919):

    • Commission: The symphony was commissioned by the Finnish government to celebrate Sibelius's 50th birthday.

    • Structure: Comprises three distinct movements:

    • First Movement: Tempo molto moderato (E-flat major); an integration of traditional first movement elements and a scherzo.

    • Second Movement: Andante mosso, quasi allegretto (G major).

    • Third Movement: Allegro molto (E-flat major).

    • Overall Plan: Lionel Pike observed that the overall plan resembles an arch, detailing how:

    • The first movement transitions from slow to fast tempos.

    • The second movement amalgamates both speed contrasts through counterpoint.

    • The finale opens with fast music, gradually slowing down as it concludes.

James Hepokoski and "Rotational Form"

  • Concept Overview:

    • According to music theorist James Hepokoski, the principle ideas in Sibelius's works, particularly in the first movement of Symphony No. 5, recur multiple times while being transformed significantly with each iteration.

    • Philosophical Perspective on Sonata Form: Hepokoski describes a departure from the conventional sonata form as:

    • The dissolution of conventional development schemes where listeners experience gradual, trance-like evolutions of musical material instead of straightforward thematic developments. (Alex Ross, The Rest is Noise, 181)

  • Structural Analysis:

    • Viewing the first movement through traditional sonata patterns reveals several complexities:

    • Exploration of both single- and double-movement functions in the structure of the symphony.

    • Examination of the 'double-exposition'—where the second rotation cycles back from G major to the tonic E-flat, hinting at recapitulation and resolution prematurely.

    • Analysis of presumed development that, in traditional terms, lacks customary texture or harmonic development.

    • Challenges in pinpointing exact moments of recapitulation in the work.

Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979)

  • Overview:

    • Rebecca Clarke, an influential composer and violist, is known for her significant contributions to the music world although she faced gender biases in her career.

  • Notable Composers and Influences:

    • Other notable composers include Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924), Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958), and Gustav Holst (1874–1934), who contributed to the musical landscape that influenced Clarke.

  • Musical Works:

    • Major works by Rebecca Clarke include:

    • Violin Sonata (~1909)

    • Viola Sonata (1919)

    • Piano Trio (1921)

    • Sonata for Violin and Piano (c 1907-9, single movement)

  • The Rebecca Clarke Society:

    • Established in 2000, aims to honor Clarke’s legacy by promoting her work through performances, publications, and scholarly research.

Analysis of Rebecca Clarke's Piano Trio

  • Structure of Piano Trio:

    • Comprises three movements:

    • I. Moderato ma appassionato with diverse tempo markings, illustrating warmth and emotional depth.

    • II. Andante molto semplice, utilizing simplified melodic structures.

    • III. Allegro vigoroso, offering high energy with a mix of dynamic contrasts and formal sections (A B A C A).

  • Motifs and Thematic Development:

    • The works highlight the transformation of motifs, specifically referencing “Motif X”, noted through:

    • Its expansion to a bugle call, signifying the blend of compositional ideas and growth within movements.

    • Applications of musical devices such as canon and bitonality emphasize Clarke's innovative approaches.