Ch. 13 Free Form and Avant-Garde Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does 'Heliocentric Worlds (vols. 1 and 2)' demonstrate?

Ra's effectiveness with composing for a large ensemble while maintaining an allegiance to collective improvisation.

What does avant-garde imply?

Conformity to tradition

Classical music adherence

Harmony and structure

A conscious breaking away from tradition (correct)

What is free form also known as?

Free improvisation

The shift from a steady pulse to a free-flowing rhythm can be traced first to Lester Young and then to Gerry Mulligan and others as they attempted to avoid constraint within the ______.

bar lines Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as a controversial free jazz player and focused on melody?

Ornette Coleman Signup and view all the answers

What does an atonal feel in music signify?

There is no chord progression or key center. Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of Shoenberg's twelve tone system?

Each tone has equal importance and no key center is implied. Signup and view all the answers

What does harmonolodic theory aim to balance?

The traditional musical elements of melody and harmony. Signup and view all the answers

Who is known for integrating technical facility with European-based compositional practices?

Cecil Taylor Signup and view all the answers

What are some characteristics of Taylor's composition 'Idut'?

High-energy composition made of fragmented and punctuated statements. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Serdab' offer in its composition?

Contrasting musical textures with several high-energy sections. Signup and view all the answers

'3 Phasis' runs more than ______ minutes, spanning 2 sides of a record.

57 Signup and view all the answers

What is Sun Ra known for?

Being a composer/pianist/arranger who pioneered techniques of collective improvisation. Signup and view all the answers

What organization was founded by Richard Abrams in 1960?

Association for the Advancement of Creative Music Signup and view all the answers

What defines the Art Ensemble of Chicago?

Diversity of compositional and performance tactics Signup and view all the answers

Who promoted chance music?

John Cage Signup and view all the answers

What is Greg Osby's stance on the neoclassical jazz school?

He challenges it for sacrificing the chance to find an individual voice. Signup and view all the answers

What approach does Henry Threadgill take in his music?

He values jazz's evolution and looks to external influences for fresh material. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Heliocentric Worlds

Showcases Ra's talent for large ensemble composition alongside collective improvisation.

Avant-garde

Represents a deliberate departure from established artistic traditions.
Defined as a movement against the status quo in the art world.

Free Form

Known as free improvisation or "the new thing."
Rejects traditional harmonic and rhythmic structures from earlier jazz styles.
Promotes player interaction without fixed constraints, necessitating deep empathy for successful performance.
Embodies spontaneous composition with a dominant focus on improvisation.

Shift to Free-flowing Rhythm

Transition from steady pulse to fluid rhythm is linked to artists like Lester Young and Gerry Mulligan.
Explores avoidance of structural constraints such as bar lines.

Ornette Coleman

Influential saxophonist known for his melody-focused phrasing and harmonic freedom.
First to achieve acclaim while breaking away from conventional chord progressions.
Critique of faulty intonation challenges European classical music norms.

Atonal Feel

Freedom from chord progression leads to avoidance of a key center among some musicians.
Roots of jazz, like field hollers, often exhibit a lack of specific key centers, aligning with this approach.

Shoenberg's Twelve Tone System

Emphasizes the equal importance of each tone without implying a key center.

Harmolodic Theory

Aims to balance melody and harmony, redefining traditional musical elements.

Cecil Taylor

Notable pianist combining controversial technical skills with European compositional influences.
His music merges classical practices with jazz improvisation distinctively.
Recorded "Enter Evening," showcasing his free form style with a blend of classical instruments like oboe and bass clarinet.

Musical Textures in Taylor's Works

Exemplified in pieces like "Idut" and "Serdab," showcasing expansive and contrasting musical styles.

"Idut"

Characterized by high-energy and fragmented statements reflecting Taylor's percussive style.

"Serdab"

Contrasts high-energy sections with a dominant composite sound, oscillating between traditional idioms and a dense, percussive style.

"3 Phasis"

An extensive piece over 57 minutes long, showcasing Taylor’s complexity in composition.

Sun Ra

A pioneer in Chicago's free jazz scene and leader of the Arkestra.
Known for implementing collective improvisation within big-band compositions since 1953.

Association for the Advancement of Creative Music (AACM)

Founded by Richard Abrams in 1960 to promote experimental musicians.
Notable members include trumpeter Leo Smith and saxophonist Anthony Braxton.

Art Ensemble of Chicago

Known for varied compositional techniques and performance styles.
Emphasizes collective interaction, sound exploration, and suspension of fixed rhythms.

Chance Music

Introduced by John Cage, characterized by freedom in harmony and meter.
Cohesion is derived from intellectual constraints set by the composer.

Greg Osby

Saxophonist challenging traditional jazz schools by arguing against an obsession with past styles.
Aligns with avant-garde movements through his performance and philosophical reasoning.

Henry Threadgill

Emerges from AACM influences with a focus on jazz evolution and external musical inspirations.
His ensemble, Very Very Circus, illustrates his drive for individualism and global music integration.

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Description

Explore the concepts of heliocentric worlds, avant-garde movements, and free form in music and art through this set of flashcards. Each card provides a concise definition and explanation, helping you understand these critical artistic approaches. Perfect for students or enthusiasts looking to deepen their knowledge of avant-garde principles.