Classical Music Modernism

Different from any other music and it didn’t use any of the past music Contributors: visual artists, architects, composers, and choreographers Stressed idea of artistic autonomy Modernists were experimentalists who tried new approaches to rhythm, timbre, and mechanical invention Composers wanted to write music that would appeal to listeners and have a clear purpose in American society

Aaron Copland Modernist composer Uses intervals to create the melodies and harmonies in his piece Piano Variations part 1

Edgard Varese Experimental with all percussion pieces and electronic sounds Ionisation

Henry Cowell Known to use tone clusters and special effects on the piano Played major role in publishing modernist scores The Aeolian Harp

John Cage Compositions not melodic First Construction in Metal Imaginary Landscape No. 1

Federal Music Project (FMP) Employed 16,000 performers Supported 28 symphony orchestras

The Federal Theatre Project (FTP) Main purpose was to employ actors, producers, and stage personnel

Government Funded Documentaries Government agencies that used film to publicize their publications activities and the rationale behind them Cheaper and faster to make a soundtrack of music to accompany images than to get sound on location