MUSI1001 Introduction to Twentieth Century Music
This module focuses on the major movements of the period, including impressionism, expressionism, neo-classicism, atonality and serialism, postwar modernism and postmodernist developments. It also examines the continuing legacy of tonality, as well as how the development of art music has been influenced by popular music and by music of other cultures.
Co-ordinator: Professor David Nicholls
Module Details
Title: Introduction to Twentieth Century Music
Code: MUSI1001
Year: 1
Semester: 2
CATS points: 15 ECTS points: 7.5
Level: Undergraduate
This module aims to introduce students to the major developments in Western art music since 1900. Works representative of the main trends, including impressionism, serialism and neoclassicism, will be set in the context of the development of musical style from the dissolution of classical functional tonality.
The module examines a variety of key works of the Twentieth Century, looking at thier style and form. From these case studies trends and movements are discussed and analysed.
Study time allocation
Contact hours: 2
Private study hours: 10
Total study time:
12
hours
Teaching and learning methods
One weekly two-hour lecture.
Resources and reading list
- Paul Griffiths, A Concise History of Modern Music (Thames and Hudson, 1994)
- Paul Griffiths, Modern Music and After: Directions Since 1945 (OUP, 1995)
- Robert P. Morgan, Modern Times: From World War I to the Present (Macmillan, 1993)
- Arnold Whittall, Musical Composition in the Twentieth Century (OUP, 1999)
Assessment methods
- One analytical essay, c. 1700 words (40%),
- One examination: a) historical/critical essay (30%); b) listening test (30%).