Page 252 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

250 PRIMITIVISM AND MODERNISM

Differences between Romanticism and Modernism

Romanticism Modernism

Composers built on Composers consciously
historical tradition. break with historical
tradition.

Melodies are proportionally Melodies are fragmented
structured. or irregular and
sometimes absent.

Dissonances are resolved. Dissonances are freely
Uses one scale at a time. used. May employ different
scales simultaneously.

Rhythm is rational and
ordered, following Rhythm is irregular and
regular meter. unpredictable, with
unexpected emphases.

Orchestra uses Orchestra uses
conventional playing experimental playing
techniques. techniques.

passages of detached notes using on. Conversely, softer passages own words, culminating in the
repeated, short “down-bows” sometimes call upon mysterious- Sacrifical Dance’s “ecstatic,
(essentially hitting rather than sounding string harmonics. irregular jerks” of “primitive
stroking the strings); on numerous hysteria,” according to the dance
other occasions, they play pizzicato Dramatic premiere critic André Levinson. Other
(plucking the strings) or col legno The riot that broke out at the spectators, not members of Paris’s
(playing using the wood or the premiere in 1913 made the ballet elite, had anticipated the work’s
hard tip of the bow)—both of which infamous, but this was not just novelty and had come for it—some,
create a more incisive, percussive because of the music—in spite indeed, courtesy of free tickets
effect. Apart from this prevalence of its challenging nature—or even handed out by Diaghilev. Hisses
of staccato, articulated styles of Vaslav Nijinsky’s revolutionary from the boxes were quickly
playing, Stravinsky uses many choreography, although that and loudly condemned by the
other unusual techniques, such as certainly shocked, too. At the time, supportive faction; before long,
scraping the metal triangle stick Paris’s “high society” attended the the music was all but drowned
across the surface of the tam-tam, ballet expecting stylized elegance. out by those on both sides. Some
or the French horns playing with What they got were “knock-kneed spectators claimed that the furore
their “bells up” in order to increase and long-braided Lolitas jumping began before the dancers even
the volume and impact, and so up and down,” in Stravinsky’s came on stage. The dancer

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