Expressionism

Definition

Expressionism is a modernist movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in the arts, emphasizing the expression of emotional experience over physical reality. In music, it sought to convey intense emotional states through dissonance, innovative structures, and often a departure from traditional tonality, reflecting the chaotic and often unsettling feelings of the time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Expressionism in music focused on individual emotion and subjective experience, moving away from objective representation.
2. The Second Viennese School, which included composers like Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern, was central to the development and propagation of Expressionist ideas in music.
3. Many Expressionist works employed extreme contrasts in dynamics and timbre to heighten emotional intensity.
4. The influence of psychological theories, particularly those of Freud, played a significant role in shaping Expressionist themes in both music and other art forms.
5. Works characterized as Expressionist often incorporated fragmented melodies and irregular rhythms, reflecting the turmoil of early 20th-century life.

Review Questions

• How did Expressionism influence the use of atonality in early 20th-century music?
  • Expressionism significantly influenced the adoption of atonality by prioritizing emotional expression over traditional tonal structures. Composers like Schoenberg employed atonal techniques to create music that conveyed complex emotional states and psychological depth. This shift away from established tonal frameworks allowed for greater freedom in musical expression, aligning perfectly with the Expressionist ideals of conveying intense feelings and personal experiences.
• Discuss how Mahler's post-Romantic developments contributed to the emergence of Expressionism.
  • Mahler's post-Romantic style laid essential groundwork for Expressionism by pushing the boundaries of emotional depth and complexity within orchestral music. His symphonies showcased profound psychological themes and an expansive use of orchestration, embodying the internal struggles typical of Expressionism. The transition from Mahler's richly textured late-Romantic sound to the starkness of early Expressionism reflects a significant evolution in musical thought during this period.
• Evaluate the impact of the Second Viennese School on the broader development of musical Expressionism and its legacy in contemporary music.
  • The Second Viennese School profoundly shaped musical Expressionism by establishing new compositional techniques such as twelve-tone serialism and redefining approaches to harmony and melody. Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern not only influenced their contemporaries but also left a lasting legacy that resonates in various musical genres today. Their innovative methods encouraged composers to explore emotional complexities and non-traditional forms, paving the way for modern experimental music while maintaining a strong connection to the core principles of Expressionism.

Related terms

Atonality: Atonality refers to music that lacks a tonal center or key, challenging traditional harmonic structures and creating a sense of ambiguity.

Schoenberg: Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer who was a pivotal figure in the development of atonality and twelve-tone technique, becoming a leading proponent of Expressionism in music.

Dissonance: Dissonance involves the use of combinations of tones that clash and create tension, often utilized in Expressionist music to evoke strong emotions.