Expressionism
- 3. Originally a term used by a group of early 20th – century German artists to describe their aesthetic principles and art. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas
- 4. Expressionist artists sought to express meaning or emotional experience rather than physical reality Expressionism was developed as an ”avant- garde” style before the First World War
- 5. a group of people who develop new and often very surprising ideas in art, literature, etc
- 6. Extreme Angles Flattened Forms Garish Colors Distorted Views
- 7. Group of German expressionist artists, mostly painters Portrays Landscapes, Nudes, Carnival Performers with STRONG COLORS and BROAD FORMS Revived “woodcut” tradition “Die Brücke” “The Bridge”
- 11. A group of German artists mostly expressionist painters ranged from pure abstraction to romantic imagery, attempting to express spiritual truths “Der Blaue Reiter” “The Blue Rider”
- 16. Expressionist music sounds very odd to most people Characteristics include extremes of dynamics (very quiet to very loud), lots of dissonant chords (clashing) and unusual combinations of instruments, at times playing the very lowest and very highest notes of their range. The music is described as being atonal (not set in key).
- 17. Melodies tend to be disjunct (lots of leaps) and ‘tunes’ are always avoided Composers were more concerned with sound colour (combination of instrumental sounds) as oppose to a good melody. Textures vary greatly throughout a piece of expressionist music, from solo sections to full passages for orchestra.
- 19. 1. Pierrot Lunaire What instruments do you hear? What vocal range is it composed for? Is it dissonant or consonant? 2. Five Pieces for Orchestra What instruments do you hear? How is it similar/different to the Peirrot Lunaire piece?” What do you think makes it reflect the goals/ideals of expressionism?” How does it differ from impressionistic music? What’s similar?