Music of the Twentieth Century : A Study of Its Elements and Structure

Ton de Leeuw was a truly groundbreaking composer. As evidenced by his pioneering study of compositional methods that melded Eastern traditional music with Western musical theory, he had a profound understanding of the complex and often divisive history of twentieth-century music. Now his renowned chronicle Music of the Twentieth Century is offered here in a newly revised English-language edition.Music of the Twentieth Century goes beyond a historical survey with its lucid and impassioned discussion of the elements, structures, compositional principles, and terminologies of twentieth-century music. De Leeuw draws on his experience as a composer, teacher, and music scholar of non-European music traditions, including Indian, Indonesian, and Japanese music, to examine how musical innovations that developed during the twentieth century transformed musical theory, composition, and scholarly thought around the globe.\*\* [C:\Users\Microsoft\Documents\Calibre Library] Aan de hand van voorbeelden van invloedrijke twintigste eeuwse componisten, onderzoekt Ton de Leeuw de fundamentele muzikale elementen zoals ritme, melodie, samenklank en timbre. Deze heldere analyse verschaft een breder inzicht in concepten die nooit tevoren systematisch onderzocht waren, waarbij nieuwe terminologie en definities geintroduceerd worden. Dit boek verschaft docenten, studenten en allen die betrokken zijn bij hedendaagse muziek geen historische maar een analytische benadering van twintigste eeuwse muziek. Het weerspiegelt Ton de Leeuw's diepe inzicht in het compositieproces. Aan de hand van voorbeelden van invloedrijke componisten zoals Strawinsky, Schönberg en Bartok onderzoekt de auteur de fundamentele muzikale elementen ritme, melodie, samenklank en timbre. Ook exotiek en folklore, vrije atonaliteit, dodecafonie en de periode tot 1991 komen aan bod. Door formulering van een nieuwe terminologie en definities wordt een breder inzicht verkregen in concepten die nooit tevoren systematisch onderzocht waren Abstract: Ton de Leeuw (1926-96) is probably one of the most influential composers at the crossroads between Eastern philosophy and Western technique. A one-time pupil of Olivier Messiaen's in Paris, throughout the latter years of his musical career he concentrated on the marriage of Western emphasis on action and tension, and the ethical function of music in Eastern traditions. The musical world of the twentieth century is a divided one. Numerous histories of it have been written, but few of the exceptional quality of de Leeuw's, who brought into his writing a lifetime of experience as a composer and scholar of music. His work is a lucid and impassioned discussion of the elements, structures, compositional principles and terminologies in modern music that can be regarded as most innovatory. This book is an excellent guide for anyone wishing to gain knowledge of the compositional technique and mentality, particularly university and conservatory students Ton de Leeuw was a truly groundbreaking composer. As evidenced by his pioneering study of compositional methods that melded Eastern traditional music with Western musical theory, he had a profound understanding of the complex and often divisive history of twentieth-century music. Now his renowned chronicle Music of the Twentieth Century is offered here in a newly revised English-language edition. Music of the Twentieth Century goes beyond a historical survey with its lucid and impassioned discussion of the elements, structures, compositional principles, and terminologies of twentieth-century music. De Leeuw draws on his experience as a composer, teacher, and music scholar of non-European music traditions, including Indian, Indonesian, and Japanese music, to examine how musical innovations that developed during the twentieth century transformed musical theory, composition, and scholarly thought around the globe. Starting From Examples By Influential Composers Such As Stravinsky, Schonberg And Bartok, Ton De Leeuw Presents A Lucid Investigation Of Key Musical Elements Like Rhythm, Melody, Simultaneity And Timbre. He Creates A Broader Understanding Of Concepts Never Explored Systematically Before By Introducing New Terminology And Definitions. Also Covered Are Exoticism And Folklore, Free Atonality And 12-note Music. This Edition Includes A 1995 Essay On The Period Beyond 1964.--book Jacket. Panorama -- Rhythm -- Melody -- Simultaneity -- Timbre -- Exoticism And Folklore -- From Free Atonality To 12-note Music -- From 12-note Music To -- From The Sixties To The Present Day. Ton De Leeuw ; Foreword By Rokus De Groot. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Translated From The Dutch By Stephen Taylor. Ton de Leeuw's lifetime engagement with music, European and Oriental, gives this book its unique insight into what constitutes true modernity and innovation