th
20
Century Music
Impressionism
Aleatoric
Minimalist
20th Century Music
Music from 1900’s to present day
Composers include, Debussy, Webern and
Stockhausen.
This style is distinctive and unusual.
Often has no melody.
Different combinations of instruments at
extremes of ranges.
Unusual harmonies.
Impressionism
Came from the style of Art
It creates a story and builds images
Music is very vague and hazy.
Has a dreamy sound to it.
Debussy is a famous composer of this style
Created using the Whole tone scale
YouTube - Impressionist Art
YouTube - Debussy: Nocturne (1892)
Aleatoric
A type of Chance Music. It sounds random.
Ways of creating are by rolling dice or using a
graphic score.
This music is Atonal. It has no key.
Another feature is Microtones (interval less
than a semitone)
YouTube - L. A. M. - 12x20
Minimalism
Music is based around repetition
Ostinatos are built up in layers
The music is usually tonal
YouTube - Minimalist music, abstract art.
Other concepts
Sprechgesang: The music is half-spoken, halfsung, Usually in German
YouTube - Schoenberg: Pierrot Lunaire, w/ score
- 3te Teil
Note Clusters: A clashing group of notes
played together
Cross-rhythms: More than one rhythm played
at the same time which clash in timing
Concepts to remember
Impressionism
Aleatoric
Minimalism
Sprechgesang
Note Cluster
Cross rhythms
Atonal
Microtone
Whole-tone scale
Chromatic Scale