Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun by Claude Debussy
Rhythm
Debussy employs a rhythmic approach that avoids a rigid alternation of strong and weak accents. Instead of eliminating the bar line, he weakens its impact through continuous changes in time signature: 9/8, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8, 9/8. In the first part, the eighth note consistently serves as the ternary subdivision. However, the middle section (not included in the provided score) features 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures. The melodic rhythm is subtle due to the varied note values, with notes and chords
Read MoreEnd of the Century Literature: Modernism in Spain
The Rise of Modernism
In the final years of the 19th century, a shift occurred in the existing aesthetic landscape. While Realism and Naturalism continued into the next century, young writers, influenced by a Romantic spirit, rebelled against the dominant sensibilities. These writers, known as Modernists, rejected the values and customs of bourgeois society.
Characteristics of Modernism
- Rejection of Bourgeois Values: Modernist writers embraced bohemianism, a lifestyle that defied social conventions.
Spanish Theater from 1940 to the Present
Introduction
During the Civil War, theater served as a means of political propaganda. The post-war period was catastrophic: authors died (e.g., Valle-Inclán, Lorca), many went into exile (e.g., Alberti, Casona), and those who remained in Spain (e.g., J. Álvarez Quintero, Arniches, Benavente) either abandoned playwriting or premiered few works.
Theater, like other arts, was subject to censorship. Genres and topics reflected the times. In the immediate post-war period, the baroque tradition of allegorical
Read MoreModernist and Noucentista Catalan Literature
Modernist Theatre
Theatre Ideas
Regenerationist Theatre believes that theatre and its ideas can regenerate a materialistic society. It aims to change society through the ideas presented in the theatre, prompting viewers to reflect on societal issues. This movement sought to counteract the trend of frivolous and entertaining theatre, encouraging audiences to engage with meaningful content.
Joan Puig i Ferreter (1882-1956)
Puig i Ferreter aimed to disrupt the audience’s passive viewing experience. His
Read MoreRubén Darío: A Biography of the Father of Modernism
Rubén Darío: A Biography
Early Life and Education
Félix Rubén García Sarmiento, known as Rubén Darío, was born on January 18, 1867, in Metapa, Nicaragua. He spent his childhood with his family and received his early education from the Jesuits. Darío began writing poetry at a young age, publishing his first poems at the age of twelve, which were acquired by an official of the National Library of Nicaragua.
Literary Beginnings and Marriage
Darío began publishing his writings in 1885. His poem
Read MoreEuropean Avant-Garde Movements
Introduction
The European avant-garde, encompassing experimental art forms, broke violently with previous aesthetics, proposing radically different and original art. These movements presented themselves as youthful alternatives, defiant and provocative, enacting an anti-realist and anti-sentimental aesthetic revolution. Their greatest achievement was establishing total freedom for the artist—a legacy benefiting all 20th-century art. The most important avant-garde movements, arising around World
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