Reading Questions for Exam 3

Quinn Parsley

Spring 2017

11. Continue to examine Nationalism and Neo-classicism with the composers in this chapter that include
Mahler, Debussy, Ravel, and Satie; Holst and Vaughn Williams; Sibelius, and other composers in this
chapter that you wish to review. Please include some of the works in the anthology.

 Mahler
o Gustav Mahler was a leading Austro-German composer who wrote many works for
orchestra (including nine symphonies) and voice. Most of Mahler’s music can be
described as neo-romantic, taking influence from composers such as Brahms and
Beethoven. However, there is also an element of Austrian nationalism in his music as he
would often quote Austrian folk songs and dances. An example of one of his works
would be his Symphony No. 4.
 Debussy
o Debussy is often associated with musical styles of impressionism and symbolism which
paralleled similarly-titled movements in both art and literature. Debussy’s music is
known for its exotic use of scales and its strong sense of detachment. While his music
can still be described as tonal, Debussy continually moved further and further away
from functional harmony. Chords would often remain unresolved, and planing (the
movement of chords straight up or down in half-steps or through the scale) were
common devices of his. His extended harmonies also provided an influence to American
jazz music. Debussy also made developments to the orchestra through his colorful use
of instruments, especially the wind section. Impressionism is often characterized by its
large orchestral setup but relatively quiet nature, and Debussy’s orchestral works are a
clear representation of this. Examples of well-known orchestral pieces of his are
“L’après-midi d’un faune” and “Nuages.”
 Ravel
o Similar to Debussy, Ravel was also associated with impressionism. However, he was
inspired by a number of influences, and they are reflected in his music. He often used
colorful scales and harmonies to create very unique orchestral sounds while still
remaining largely tonal. This would often be reflected in his orchestration for
instruments, a notable example being his use of saxophone in his piece Bolero for
orchestra.
 Satie
o Erik Satie was a very unique composer whose music contains elements of French
nationalism and surrealism. Satie often infused his music with humorous directions, and
he often poked fun at the serious nature of Romantic-era music. Satie often employed
 quotations of other popular melodies in his music. An example of this can be seen in his
piece Embryons Desseches No. 3 which quotes a melody called “La Royale.” All of these
elements would prove to be influences to the approaching avant-garde movement and
to the composers who would become known as the “Les Six.” An example of one of his
works is “Three Pieces in the Form of a Pear.”
 Holst
o Holst was an English composer whose works helped build English nationalism. He was
greatly influenced by English songs and even Hindu sacred texts. His most well-known
piece, however, is The Planets which is an orchestral suite of seven pieces that would go
on to become a huge influence in orchestration, particularly when it came to films set in
space.
 Vaughn Williams
o Similar to Holst, Ralph Vaughn Williams also sought to establish a nationalistic sound for
England. Vaughn Williams was particularly important for this movement because of his
work in collecting and publishing hundreds of English folk songs which would later go on
to be used in works like Vaughn Williams’ Norfolk Rhapsodies. He often incorporated
modal melodies into his works, likely inspired by his exposure to English hymnody. Much
of the music he ended up writing was actually quite outside the realm of art music and
was very accessible to amateur musicians. An example of one of his works is Fantasia on
a Theme of Thomas Tallis.

15. Contrast the music and artistic aims of such composers as Messiaen, Brittan, Cage, Boulez, as well as
the Minimalistic composers discussed in chapter 38. Chapters 37-38

 Messiaen
 Brittan
 Cage
 Boulez
