World War I (1914-1918)
The Russian Revolution (1917) and subsequent formation of the Soviet Union
The Great Depression (1929-1939)
World War II (1939-1945)
First-wave feminism (suffrage movements)
Special theory of relativity (1905)
Atomic nucleus (1911)
General theory of relativity (1915)
Isolation of insulin (1921)
Penicillin discovered (1928)
Nuclear fission discovered (1939)
Focus on creating a general mood/atmosphere
Ambiguous tonality and less focus on clear, functional melodies and harmonies
Emphasis on tone color
Use of whole-tone scale, pentatonic scales, and “exotic” modes
Explores extreme emotional states (“the depiction of fear lies at the centre of expressionist music” – Theodor Adorno)
High levels of dissonance, chromaticism, angular melodies with wide leaps
Exploration of atonality, use of twelve-tone technique
Extreme contrasts of dynamics, texture, etc.
Solo piano
Typically in 2/4 or 4/4, however ragtime waltzes exist
Left hand plays pattern of bass notes on strong beats (1 and 3) and chords on weak beats (2 and 4)
Right hand plays highly syncopated melodic line
Basic ensemble consists of trumpet, clarinet, and trombone. Rhythm section often included
Melodic instruments play simultaneously in a contrapuntal manner
Collective improvisation