Expressionism

Definition

Expressionism is a modernist movement in music that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its focus on conveying emotional experiences rather than representing physical reality. This style often employs atonality, where traditional tonal centers are abandoned, allowing composers to express intense feelings and psychological states through dissonance and unconventional harmonic structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Expressionism in music often mirrors the visual art movement of the same name, prioritizing subjective experience over objective reality.
2. Composers such as Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, and Anton Webern were key figures in the development of expressionism, breaking away from traditional forms and harmonies.
3. The use of atonality is a hallmark of expressionism, allowing composers to explore new sound worlds and express complex human emotions.
4. Rhythmic freedom and unexpected changes in dynamics are common in expressionist works, contributing to their emotional intensity.
5. Expressionism greatly influenced later musical developments, including serialism and avant-garde movements, pushing the boundaries of how music is conceived and experienced.

Review Questions

• How did expressionism change the way emotions are conveyed in music compared to previous styles?
  • Expressionism shifted the focus from depicting external realities to expressing internal emotional experiences. This change allowed composers to explore complex psychological states through innovative techniques like atonality and dissonance. Unlike previous styles that adhered to tonal frameworks, expressionist music embraced tension and instability as essential components of emotional expression, leading to a deeper connection between the listener and the music.
• Discuss the significance of atonality within the expressionist movement and how it contributes to the overall impact of a composition.
  • Atonality is crucial to expressionism as it liberates composers from traditional harmonic constraints, enabling them to convey raw emotion more freely. By abandoning tonal centers, composers can create a soundscape that reflects the complexities of human experience without relying on familiar resolutions. This lack of tonal grounding heightens the sense of tension and unpredictability in a piece, allowing for a more visceral engagement with the audience.
• Evaluate how expressionism has influenced contemporary music genres and its legacy in modern musical practices.
  • Expressionism has had a lasting impact on various contemporary music genres by encouraging artists to prioritize emotional depth over conventional forms. Its influence can be seen in genres such as jazz, where improvisation can reflect personal expression akin to expressionist ideals. Additionally, modern classical composers continue to draw on expressionist techniques, furthering its legacy as a catalyst for innovation and emotional authenticity in music today.

Related terms

Atonality:

A musical approach that avoids establishing a key or tonal center, often leading to an emphasis on dissonance and innovative melodic structures.

Dissonance:

A combination of tones that creates a sense of tension or instability, commonly used in expressionism to evoke strong emotions.

Sprechstimme: A vocal technique that blends singing and speaking, frequently utilized in expressionist music to enhance emotional delivery.