On May 29, 1913, a riot was sparked by the premiere of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring,” testament that the 1900s would be a century of musical innovation, revolution and expression, reflecting its societal turmoil and change. Below is a selection of five works from the period, perfect for studying—or procrastinating—to.
String Quartet by Maurice Ravel (1903)
Dedicated to his former mentor Gabriel Fauré, Ravel’s string quartet is among the most frequently performed quartets. This early work established Ravel as one of the most outstanding composers of his generation and a master of orchestration.
The work follows a classical four-movement structure with the first movement written in a traditional sonata form. The most well-known part is the second movement, a classical Scherzo influenced by Javanese Gamelan music. The opening, with playful pizzicato by all instruments incorporating polyrhythms, is one of the most recognizable pizzicato passages in the Western repertoire. The third movement contains Ravel’s signature unorthodox impressionistic harmony, and the rondo in the last movement concludes the piece with vigor.
Symphony no. 5 by Jean Sibelius (1915)
During the 1910s when tonality was being challenged by the revolutionary works by Stravinsky and Schoenberg, for example, Finnish composer Siblius’ fifth symphony sent a defiant message in defense of the worthiness of tonality when its future was increasingly being questioned.
The first movement, loosely based on the sonata form, features what many musicologists referred to as a “double exposition.” After a brilliant Theme and Variations of the second movement, the final movement opens with string tremolos followed immediately by the glorious “swan theme” in the horns. The splendid theme is further developed throughout the movement, eventually ending with six staggered quarter-note chords completely separated from each other by rests, making it one of the most controversial symphonic endings ever written.
Piano Concerto No. 2 by Nikolai Medtner (1927)
Acclaimed by Sergei Rachmaninoff to be the “greatest composer of [their] time,” Medtner has ironically always been overshadowed by him. This concerto is a manifestation of Medtner’s style and talent, and Rachmaninoff’s influence on his music is evident in its contrast between intense, agitated passion and elegant lyricism, complemented with innovative late-Romantic harmonic color. But Medtner mastered the use of repeated thematic fragments, instead of long, structured melodies, building drama yet retaining familiarity for the listener.
The orchestral texture is rich and sometimes adventurous, with the infrequent appearances of the brass section carrying special expressive weight, lamenting in the first movement and romantic in the second.
Clarinet Trio by Aram Khachaturian (1932)
Free-spirited and pastoral, this early work is a marvelous combination of the architecture of Western classical music with the sonority of Western Asian folk music, particularly that of Armenia, Khachaturian’s homeland.
The first movement is scenic and picturesque as a result of the unique and exotic tonal color, yet the melodies might resemble wails, exclamations and yearning. Following the lively dance that is the second movement, the finale is based on an Uzbek folk theme. It takes the listener through a plethora of moods, from peaceful yet motivated, to daydreaming, to celebratory, and finally pensive, almost reminiscent. Not only is this piece indescribably beautiful throughout, it also leaves plenty of space for interpretation and imagination.
Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland (1944)
Winner of the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Music, American composer Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring can be seen as a testament to his quintal harmonic language and the Americana style of classical music as it remains as one of his most popular works.
Originally a ballet, the version as an eight-movement orchestral suite is more frequently performed, with expanded orchestration. The seventh movement is perhaps the most famous, in which he incorporates the melody from the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.” First introduced by a joyful solo clarinet, the hymn is used to develop five ingenious variations, each with unique and contrasting characteristics.
Honorable Mention: 4′33″ by John Cage (1952)
The greatest work of music, ever.
Image courtesy of Robert Sterl/Wikimedia Commons
