E85-0038.001/ MW-11:00am-12: 15pm / Room 303
The reaction of composers to late Romanticism can arguably be described in terms of a fundamental and necessary response to the breakdown of functional tonality. At the end of the 19th century, functional tonality, i.e., the established system of major / minor scales in which the gravitational pull is toward the tonic, began to be seen as an increasing constraint on the personal expression of the artist.
The reaction against this constraint manifested itself in three distinct strands:
IMPRESSIONISM / PRIMITIVISM
ATONALISM
EXPERIMENTALISM
Each of these strands was derived from elements of 19th century compositional practice, and led to the diversity of styles and genres that have come to characterize late 20th century and early 21st century music composition.
Over the course of the Spring 2006 semester, Theory IV students composed a series of original pieces that employed strategies characteristic of each of these strands. The works they created are presented here for the benefit of those curious as to where music might be going next.