-
Mahler (1860 to 1911)
Gustav Mahler was an Austrian composer who was regarded for building a bridge between 19th century tradition and 20th century modernism. Mahler was considered the heir to Mozart and Beethoven, and made made notable expansions to symphonies and lieder. Popular compositions include “Symphony No. 4” (1900), and “Symphony No. 6 in A Minor” (1904). -
Debussy (1862 to 1918)
Claude Debussy was an important French composer. He invented the style "impressionism," and is credited with composing the first modern orchestral work. Some of his most popular works were solo piano compositions. Some important works include "Prelude a L'apres-midi d'un faune" (1894), and "Suite bergamasque" (1905). -
Strauss (1864 to 1949)
Richard Strauss was a german composer, violinist, pianist, and conductor who was a leading composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. Strauss is commonly described as a successor of composers Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner. Some famous compositions include "Salome" (1905), and "Elektra" (1909). -
Schoenberg (1874 to 1951)
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, music theorist, and teacher, who is know as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Schoenberg was mainly known for his formulation of the 12 tone system, which lead to the composition of the first atonal composition. He was also the leader of the Second Viennese School, and was heavily associated with the expressionist movement. Notable works include "Die glückliche Hand" (1924), and Sommermüd (1933). -
Ravel (1876 to 1937)
Maurice Ravel is credited with composing the first impressionist piano piece. -
Bartok (1881 to 1945)
Bela Bartok is known as a composer who put an ethnic spin on classical traditions. Bartok spent a number years traveling Romania, recording melodies in which he later used for his own compositions. -
Stravinsky (1882 to 1971)
Considered the most important composer of the 20th century, and was known for the diversity of his compositional styles throughout his career. Stravinsky made a lasting contribution to serial music, and his compositions were very brash, dissonant, and rhythmically complex. Notable compositions include "The Firebird" (1910), and "The Rite of Spring" (1913). -
Period: to
Maximalism (1890s - 1914)
Maximalism is a compositional style know for its extreme use of chromaticism, large performance groups, and thick textures. It is understood to have been the end of romanticism, and what predated the more modern style, Expressionism. Notable composers of this style are Mahler, Strauss, and Prokofiev. -
Period: to
Impressionism (1890s - 1920s)
A style of music led by composer Claude Debussy, impressionism is characterized by its general sense of vagueness. This is accomplished through its use of unresolved dissonances, free rhythms, and exotic scales. -
Expressionism (1910s+)
Originating in Germany and Austria, expressionism is a style focused on completely freeing music from tonality. It is characterized by its atonality, having no chord progression rules, and its use of the 12-tone method. Some notable composers of the style include Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern. -
Debut of "The Rite of Spring"
Stravinsky's composition "The Rite of Spring" is a Ballet produced by Sergey Diaghilev, and choreographed by Vaslar Nijinsky. The first showing was a terrible failure, as the audience broke into a riot. At the time, some regarded the work as ridiculous, but today it is viewed as one Stravinsky's of greatest masterpieces. -
Jazz (1917)
Originating from African-American musicians living in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jazz is commonly hailed as one of the great American art forms. Jazz was formed from a unique mixture of African rhythms and European harmonies. -
Serialism (1921)
A method of composition invented by Arnold Schoenberg in 1921, Serialism uses a 12-tone system and mathematics which results in unique and intricate compositions.