Program Music
• Distinguish between program music and
absolute music
• Connection with the other fine arts and with
life.
Varieties of Program Music
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Concert overture
Incidental music
Program symphony
Symphonic poem
Hector Berloiz (1803-1896)
• Report on Hector Berlioz by Erin Coward
Symphonie fantastique - Berlioz
• Idée fixe
• Story from personal life
• 4th movement - “March to the Scaffold”
– Duple meter march, minor
– Dreams he has killed his beloved
– Idée fixe (at end) interrupted by fortissimo
chord - fall of the axe
Musical Nationalism
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Songs and dances of the people
Folklore and peasant life
Exploits of national heroes
Historic events
Scenic beauty of their country
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884)
• Czech composer - 1st bohemian to achieve
international prominence
• Conductor of reputation
• 8 operas
– The Bartered Bride
Má Vlast - Smetana
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Cycle of 6symphonic poems
Beauty of Bohemia’s countryside
Folk songs, dances and legends
#2 - “The Moldau”
– Programmatic themes
Other Nationalist Composers
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Anton Dvorák (1841-1904) - Czech
Edward Grieg (1843-1907) - Norway
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) - Finland
“The Mighty five” - Russia
Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Russian