Neo-Classicism: Drawing Inspiration from the past

1. Neo-Classicism: Drawing Inspiration from the past Neoclassicismin music was a 20th century development, particularly popular in the period between the two World Wars, in which composers drew inspiration from music of the 1700s

2. from classical and baroque era (classical) from Romantic era and turn of the century (neo = new) Neoclassicism can be seen as a reaction against the prevailing trend of 19th century Romanticism. In other words it was reacting against the works of such composers as Berg, Schoenberg and Webern. Neoclassicism makes a return to balanced forms and often emotional restraint, as well as 18th century compositional processes and techniques. Advances in modern instrumental resources such as the full orchestra, which had greatly expanded since the 18th century, and advanced harmony, makes neoclassical works distinctly 20th century.

3. Artists of all kinds were looking for a more truthful, more expressive way of treating human existence in the harsh world of the 20th century Picasso Neo-classical portraits Kandinsky Classical portrait A distorted view of photographic reality

4. Style devoid of emotion Hindemith From the Baroque and Classical Composers Tippett Prokofiev Stravinsky Poulenc Devices such as alberti bass, sequence & imitation Forms such as sonata, concerto & symphony Music not describing anything in particular Also... From modern music Bitonality Clarity of sound in solos Echoes of earlier composers Unexpected harmonies Regular rhythms Unexpected chord sequences Clear texture Deliberate ‘wrong’ notes Frequent changes of key Neo - Classicism

5. One of the masters of 20th century music Igor Stravinsky Lived to the age of 88 Known as a chameleonic composer He went through 3 or 4 different styles in his life Wrote an opera based on 16th century story so researched the style and liked it so much that he adopted some of the elements of the style into his own work

6. Historical Context Was composing aged 5 At 13 he entered the Conservatoire in Moscow Lived in Ukraine which was part of the USSR The revolution of 1917 affected his work (and the effect of the Soviet regime) Soviet government exercised censorship over music and the arts Travelled to escape censorship Sergei Prokofiev 1891-1953 (Ukraine) Met Diaghilev (ballet choreographer) but he rejected his music Music wasn’t heard in public if it was ‘too difficult for the common man’ to appreciate Returned to Russia 1918: Classical Symphony was performed (expressed ideas of the past in musical form) Neo-classicism fitted well into this regime Artistic freedom was suppressed in this way Pleased the Soviet government but still felt constrained so left Russia again

7. Ralph Vaughan-Williams At the turn of the century he was among the very first to travel into the countryside to collect folk-songs and carols from singers Musical editor of The English Hymnal he composed several hymns that are now world-wide favourites (For all the Saints, Come down O love Divine) Notated songs and carols for future generations to enjoy. Deeply affected by WWI, and the loss of his composer friend Butterworth Sustained a long and deep friendship with the composer Gustav Holst (Planets) He also became professor of composition at the Royal College of Music in London. Work included nine symphonies, five operas, film music, ballet and stage music, several song cycles, church music and works for chorus and orchestra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH2UcunPAR0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzYpGumhETU