Impressionism to the 21st Century: A Musical Journey
Impressionism
Claude Debussy (French)
Style: Impressionism
Musical Skill: Pianist and composer
Works: Orchestral works (Nocturnes, La Mer), piano music (Children’s Corner, 12 Etudes), chamber music, opera, and miscellaneous works.
Verismo
Definition: The trend of “Realism” in late 19th-century Italian opera, featuring everyday characters, dramatic situations (love, betrayal, jealousy, death), and prevalent from 1890 to the early 1900s.
Early Composers and Operas:
- Pietro Mascagni: Rustic Chivalry
- Ruggiero
Baroque Music: A Comprehensive Guide
The Baroque Period (1600-1750)
Chronology
The Baroque period spanned the 17th and the first half of the 18th century. It began with the premiere of the first opera, Euridice by Jacopo Peri, in 1600 and concluded with the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1750.
Social Scene
The power of kings increased to absolutist proportions, granting monarchs total control over their nations.
Artistic Scene
The term “Baroque” initially described something exaggerated or extravagant. Baroque art emphasized movement,
Read MoreMusical Traditions of South America: A Diverse Tapestry
1. Tonada: A Quintessential Chilean Song
Originating in Spain, the tonada holds a special place in Chilean musical tradition. Traditionally performed by a female voice, it is also rendered by duets or groups of three or four singers.
Criteria for Classifying Tonadas
Two main criteria determine the different types of tonadas:
- The poetic form employed.
- The function or occasion for which it is sung.
For instance, a tonada sung at a wedding is called a parabien (well-wishing), while one sung for a birthday
Read MoreBaroque Era Music: Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel
Baroque Era Music
Antonio Vivaldi (1675-1741)
Red-headed, asthmatic priest, composer, and violinist
- 400 concerti grossi
- 49 operas
- Sacred church music
Concerto Grosso
| Large Group | Small Group |
|---|---|
| Tutti, Ripieno, Ritornello | Solo, Concertino |
| More repetitious | Better players |
Movements
- First Movement: Fast, energetic, lots of alternation between groups
- Second Movement: Slow and somber
- Third Movement: Fast, similar to the first, more lighthearted
Program Music vs. Absolute Music
- Program Music: Music used to depict non-musical
Characteristics and Subgenres of the Novel and Lyric Poetry
Gender Characteristics of the Novel
The term “novel” comes from the Italian “novella”, meaning news story or short story, which in turn comes from the Latin “Novellus”. It is an extensive narrative in prose, typically describing human events with characters and situations that are real or fictional, inspired by reality but belonging to the realm of fiction in order to entertain the reader. The novel is the latest of all literary genres. Although there were precedents in ancient times, it couldn’t
Read MoreBaroque Literature: Characteristics, Styles, and Trends
Baroque Literature
Definition of Baroque
The Baroque period, following the Renaissance, extended and finalized its artistic renewal while also representing a reaction against its ideological and aesthetic principles. It reached its peak in Spanish literature, crowning the Golden Age initiated by the Renaissance. The Baroque period was not just a historical era but a broader societal movement.
Literary Aesthetics and Stylistic Trends
The core themes of Baroque literature include:
- Epic: Drawing upon the