1st Edition MUS M 402 Lecture 9 Outline of Last Lecture I Redefining the Classical Aesthetic II Beethoven s Style of Composition Outline of Current Lecture I Beethoven s Narratives II The Beethovenian Style Current Lecture I Beethoven s Narratives a Throughout the course of time musicologists and fans of Beethoven s music have been very eager to attach stories and narratives to Beethoven s works i Beethoven s Heroic Compositional Style later in life lends itself to this extremely well ii With the possible exception of a few of Beethoven s works however a large part of Beethoven s repertoire was not actually composed with a particular narrative in mind 1 All stories or narratives are interpretations that have been superimposed onto the true music he wrote iii Absolute music music means itself 1 Beethoven believed in absolute music He believed that music is simply a function of its own internal form and the arrangements of notes on a page II The Beethovenian Style a Beethovenian the compositional technique and style in which Beethoven takes existing widely understood aspects of form and style and monumentalizes them i Gives them an identity ii Puts them in conflict with one another iii Heightens contrast and tension between them iv Conspicuously resolves that tension b Adam Smith in talking about Beethovenian instrumental music was quoted saying that it presents an object so agreeable so great so various and so interesting that alone and without suggesting anything otherwise it can occupy as if it were to full up completely the whole capacity of the mind c Teleological genesis the music has a goal and is pulling towards it i Beethoven also uses this compositional technique very often in his later works 1 Ex The opening ambiguity of Beethoven s Symphony No 9 in D minor
View Full Document
Unlocking...