1. Music After World War One March 31, 2004

2. Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) Most prolific and best-known English composer of the mid-20 th C Most prolific and best-known English composer of the mid-20 th C Brief biography Brief biography Output: choral compositions, orchestral works, chamber music, songs and operas Output: choral compositions, orchestral works, chamber music, songs and operas Influenced by W.H. Auden and Peter Pears Influenced by W.H. Auden and Peter Pears From 1941 he primarily composed music for stage From 1941 he primarily composed music for stage E.g. Peter Grimes (1942-45) E.g. Peter Grimes (1942-45)

3. Summary of Britten Revival of English opera Revival of English opera Responsible for the building of institutions to ensure the continuing viability of musical drama Responsible for the building of institutions to ensure the continuing viability of musical drama Outreach to a wider audience, particularly children Outreach to a wider audience, particularly children Efforts to remain accessible as a composer Efforts to remain accessible as a composer He imbued his works with his own personal concerns He imbued his works with his own personal concerns

4. America Post-WWI Rise in home-grown American composers and art music tradition Rise in home-grown American composers and art music tradition Composers still traveled to Europe for training Composers still traveled to Europe for training Musical style became more clearly “American” Musical style became more clearly “American” Composers influenced by developments abroad Composers influenced by developments abroad 1920s: international musical styles 1920s: international musical styles 1930s: depression: questioning the role of music in society 1930s: depression: questioning the role of music in society

5. Aaron Copland (1900-90) American composer, writer on music, lecturer, pianist, conductor, critic, mentor, advocate, concert organizer American composer, writer on music, lecturer, pianist, conductor, critic, mentor, advocate, concert organizer Role in growth of ‘serious’ American music in 20 th C Role in growth of ‘serious’ American music in 20 th C Varying levels difficulty, diversity of genres Varying levels difficulty, diversity of genres Eclectic sources: use of jazz, serialism, folk idioms Eclectic sources: use of jazz, serialism, folk idioms “Mature” style: appeal to larger audience via simplicity, diatonicism, use of traditional/folk songs “Mature” style: appeal to larger audience via simplicity, diatonicism, use of traditional/folk songs “American” composer – sought ‘American’ style “American” composer – sought ‘American’ style E.g. Appalachian Spring (1944) E.g. Appalachian Spring (1944)