MUSI 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: The Rite Of Spring, Environmental Noise, Ostinato
26 May 2016
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Rhythm: vigorous, energetic rhythms, polymeter: conflicting simultaneous meters, polyrhythm: conflicting simultaneous rhythmic patterns between different instruments. Tone color: composters rejected the string-dominated timbre of the romantic orchestra, composers seek new sounds. Traditional acoustical instruments played in a percussive rather than lyrical manner. Chance based on random events: influence from other genres, eg. jazz, pop, world music. Three style periods: russian ballet period. Composed his three most famous ballets for the ballets russes. Russian stories serve as basis for music. A return to classical forms and a smaller orchestra. Compositions often based on mythology or 18th century topics and forms: twelve-tone period. Compositions in this style are either religious or commemorative works. Only turned to this style after the death of his arch rival arnold schoenberg. The rite of spring (le sacre du printemps) Composed in 1913, it contained many shocking musical effects: percussive orchestra, irregular accents, polymeters, ostinato figures. Creates an incessant driving quality: polyrhythms, polychords.
