Music History III Flashcards Set 1

Study Notes

Musicology and Historical Music Revival

Emergence of musicology formalized the study of historical music by the mid-19th century.
Complete works of key composers, including Bach, Handel, and Chopin, were published and made accessible.
Focus on German composers due to their significant scholarly contributions.
Revival included collecting and publishing lesser-known Renaissance and Baroque works.
This led to an expanded repertoire for performers and audiences, embracing both old and new music.

Distinctions Between Brahms and Wagner

Brahms adhered to Classical traditions, while Wagner sought innovative genres inspired by Beethoven's legacy.
Diverging approaches created a polarized musical environment around Brahms and Wagner.
Both composers integrated elements from Beethoven into their works.

Nationalism vs. Internationalism

Nationalism emerged among composers as a means to infuse distinctive cultural elements into their music.
Composers in regions such as Russia and the U.S. often identified as either nationalists or internationalists.

Evolution of Classical and Popular Music

By the late 19th century, composers specialized in either classical or popular music.
Earlier composers, such as Beethoven, blended serious and light genres effortlessly, unlike their later Romatic counterparts.

Brahms' Symphony Count

Brahms produced only four symphonies, initiated after turning 40, striving to meet Beethoven's high standards.
Beethoven completed nine symphonies, while Brahms' contemporaries often composed more.

Brahms' Symphony No. 4 Finale

The finale features a bass inspired by Bach’s cantata, illustrating a connection to historical composers.
Utilizes variation techniques reminiscent of Beethoven's Eroica Symphony and Bach's Partita No. 2.

Brahms' Quintet Structure

The first movement of Brahms’ Quintet showcases three keys: F minor, C-sharp minor, and D-flat major.
Demonstrates the technique of developing variation, a hallmark of Brahms’ compositional style.

The New German School

Franz Brendel identified the New German School, including Liszt, Berlioz, Wolf, Strauss, and Mahler.
Notably, Liszt and Berlioz were not German, despite their influences from German musical traditions.

Franz Liszt's Career and Innovations

Began as a flamboyant "Superstar" pianist known for his showmanship.
After 1848, composed twelve symphonic poems, each being a one-movement orchestral programmatic work.
Elements of his works were closely aligned with traditional Classical forms while drawing inspiration from poetry.

Influence of Wagner and Brahms on Bruckner

Bruckner's music integrated large-scale structures and lush harmonies influenced by Wagner.
His compositions featured extended lengths and orchestration reflective of his organist background but were primarily absolute music.

Art Songs: Terminology and Characteristics

The term for art song in German is "Lieder," with the plural being "Lied," while French composers refer to it as "Melodie."
Hugo Wolf is particularly noted for his contributions to the genre.
His art songs predominantly derived from a select set of poets and utilized chromatic harmony, distinguishing them from popular songs, which tend to be more simplistic.

Description

Explore the transformative changes in music history up to the 19th century with these flashcards. Discover the rise of musicology and the publication of key composers' works, including Bach, Mozart, and Chopin. Perfect for students of music history.