A Brief History of Western Music – Unit 4, Lesson 5

by Elin Carlson

Here are two folk idiom compositions, one Romanian and one American:

Bela Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances performed by the Danubia Orchestra

Aaron Copeland’s “Hoe Down” from the ballet Rodeo performed by the U.S. Marine Band

This is a representation of the Neo-Classical style:

Francis Poulenc: Gloria – II. Laudamus te performed by the Monteverdi Choir

Anton Webern created haunting textures using the atonal twelve-tone style.  His “Five Pieces for Orchestra” is performed by the Berlin Philharmonic:

John Cage wrote music for electronic sounds, squeaking doors, and random instrumentation.  This work was originally “composed” for piano in three movements totaling four minutes and thirty three seconds.  It was recently covered by a heavy metal band, Dead Territory, to great effect.

4’33”