Music History III Flashcards Set 1

Questions and Answers

What changes occurred in musicology during the mid-19th century?

The study of music of the past was formalized, complete works of major composers were published, and little-known works from the Renaissance and Baroque were collected.

What were some differences between the music of Brahms and Wagner?

Brahms sought to create works within Classical traditions, while Wagner and Liszt aimed for new genres and musical approaches.

What caused the controversy between nationalism and internationalism in music?

Composers in nations like Russia and the U.S. were split between those who embraced nationalism and those who preferred international styles.

What caused the growing differences between classical and popular music in the 19th century?

Composers began to specialize in either classical or popular music, unlike earlier composers who wrote both. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Brahms write only four symphonies?

Brahms felt the need to match Beethoven's standards, leading him to write his symphonies after the age of forty. Signup and view all the answers

What feature of the finale of Brahms' Symphony No. 4 is related to earlier composers?

Brahms adapted the bass from an ostinato in a Bach cantata. Signup and view all the answers

What is distinctive formally about the first movement of Brahms' Quintet for Piano & Strings in F minor?

The exposition features three keys: F minor, C-sharp minor, and D-flat major. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the composers designated by the critic Franz Brendel as the 'New German School'?

Liszt, Berlioz, Wolf, Strauss, and Mahler. Signup and view all the answers

How did Franz Liszt's career begin?

He began as a 'superstar' pianist and showman. Signup and view all the answers

How did the music of Wagner and Brahms influence Anton Bruckner?

Bruckner adopted large-scale structures, extended lengths, lush harmonies, and a huge orchestra. Signup and view all the answers

What is the German word for art song and its plural?

Lieder is the word, while Lied is the singular form. Signup and view all the answers

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.