MUS3580

Contemporary music

C J De Wilde

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: MUS2110 and MUS2120

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject students should have a general knowledge of the major trends of twentieth-century composition in particular, the ways in which these trends relate to one another in a broad sense; the opportunity to delve into specific areas of twentieth-century music in some depth, providing further insight into the styles, composers and works important to the specific area in question; and an introduction to the principles of modern musical notation (ie graphic notation).

Synopsis A survey of the primary musical styles and compositional trends of the twentieth century. Representative source works are analysed and the major musical figures of the period are discussed. Topics include the transition from nineteenth century Romanticism, impressionism, expressionism, the atonal revolution, neo-classicism, the twelve-tone system, serialism (including integral serialism), constructivism (electronic music and extended techniques), indeterminancy, neo-Romanticism, and minimalism. Contemporary Australian music is also considered within this context.

Assessment Written (4500 words): 80%
* Oral presentation (20 minutes): 20%

Prescribed texts

Morton R Twentieth century music Norton, 1991
Morton R Anthology of twentieth-century music Norton, 1992