14th Century Renaissance
15th Century Pastoral-Mass-Jingwen Song-Duffy < 14 ~ 1474 >
16th Century Byder < 1543 >. 585 ~ 1625 >
Baroque period in 17th century
Poucel < 1658 ~ 1695 >
Han Deer < 1685 ~ 1759 >
Classical period-romantic period-oratorio-
in 18th century.
William Fohan < 1872 ~ 1958 >
holst < 1874 ~ 1934 >
Ban Jieming-Buriduan < 1913 ~ 1976 >
The history of English music, like other countries, reflects the country's economic, social and religious life. This attitude still preserves the ancient tradition even in the experimental period. When the powerful foreign influence comes, the conservative tradition in Britain is still strong, and then it can change the foreign styles and forms into expressions suitable for the local area.
The chorus tradition in Britain is very early, and folk songs are very prosperous. There is a handwritten "Summer is icumen in" in the British Museum, which is said to have been written in the 13th century. It is the earliest existing multi-part music (six chorus cannon). In the history of British music in the Renaissance, there were several important figures, such as Byder, Duffy, Thales, etc., whose main works were some classic songs, religious songs or vocal works. The next one, Henry Purcell 1659~1695), was a very representative composer in Britain, but after his death, English music went downhill all the time. It was not until Han Deer appeared that he revived the British music scene and became the only musician who could compete with Bach in the late Baroque period.
At the turn of the 2th century, modern English music began to revive. From 188 to 1966, it can be divided into three periods. The representative figure in the first period was Edward Elgar 1857~1934), whose works were full of British local feelings. The genre is lyrical. The second period is the period of national music school, with representative composers such as Darius (Deilus1862~1934), William Fohan, holst, etc., and famous music such as Fantasia of greensleeves by William Fohan and Planetary Suite by holst, etc. The most outstanding musician in the third period is Ban Jieming Britten (Benjamin Britten 1913 ~ 1976). Britten's opera is considered to be the only one with international prestige after Purcell. His other important works include Introduction to Orchestral Music for Teenagers, Simple Symphony, etc.
1. Renaissance
During the Renaissance, a number of outstanding composers emerged in Britain, such as Thales (155-1585) and Baird (1543-1543). Gibbons (1585-1625) and others. At the end of the Renaissance, when Elizabeth I was in power (1558-163), Britain was at its peak. There were Shakespeare in literature and Francis Bacon in thought. Musically, there were madrigal authors (such as Weelkes, Morley, Gibbons) and mass authors. Tarverner) are famous. The Motet) Spem in alium by Thomas Tallis, 155-85) has forty voices.
Second, in the Baroque period
by the late 16th century, There is a trend of Puritanism in British religious circles (Puritans named it after thinking that the residual influence of Catholicism in the Anglican Church should be removed). Puritanism opposes humanism and rejects worldly entertainment, and thinks that art such as music and dance is sinful. In the first half of the 17th century, Puritans gradually gained political power. They mostly represented the emerging bourgeoisie and new noble and became the backbone of the British bourgeois revolution. Religious and political disputes, The rise of Puritanism made English music in the first half of the 18th century almost blank. After the victory of the British bourgeois revolution, the government mainly composed of Puritans cancelled the music in religious ceremonies and closed all opera houses. The British music circle was silent.
The Stuart dynasty was restored in Britain in p>1658. This historical retrogression turned out to be a turning point for the development of British music. In the late 17th century, the most important musician in Britain was Henry Purcell (1659-95). Purcell wrote a lot of excellent religious music, songs, drama scores and operas in his later years. With obvious British citizen interest and national characteristics, his operas Dido and Aeneas are still performed occasionally. After Purcell's death, the development of British opera came to a standstill again, and Italian opera flooded British theaters. In 1714, Han Deer settled in Britain, which brought vitality to the dull British opera world. His opera rinaldo was very popular in Britain.
In the late 172s, The traditional Italian opera gradually lost its market because of its dull script, empty content and similar plot. At this time, a beggar's opera (John Gay's word, Pepsh's song) was staged in London, which was based on daily life and adopted popular humorous dialogues and popular tunes, and won wide acclaim from the public. The Italian opera represented by Han Deer was mercilessly satirized in the play. Italian opera suffered a heavy blow in Britain, and Han Deer's opera house was finally closed due to losses. At this time, Han Deer turned his energy to the creation of oratorios. oratorio is a large-scale religious vocal music form, and its content is mostly based on the Bible. The so-called "cantata" means that there is no change in stage movements and costume settings. Han Deer pushed this form to the peak. His Solomon and Israelis in Egypt, Samson was a great success. In 1641, his Messiah became the pinnacle of this genre, among which Hallelujah was as good as Bach's Mass in B minor as the highest achievement of Baroque's vocal art. After Han Deer's death, a special oratorio performance was held in England every year to commemorate him. But after him, there was no great musician in English music.
In the modern music period, Britain has always had many high-level audiences and first-class performing groups, and London is still an important town of western music. However, two hundred years after Poucel, there were suddenly no internationally renowned British composers. In the 18th century, London music was almost dominated by German Han Deer, while in the 19th century, German symphonies were shared with Italian operas. At the beginning of the 2th century, world-class British composers began to emerge in large numbers.
Elgar &; Darius
the first "pride of Britain" was Edward Elgar, 1857-1934). His "Pomp and Circumstance #1" became a well-known famous song because it was often played at graduation ceremonies. His style was greatly influenced by Germany. What is more "British" is his string sketches. At the same time, Frederick Delius, 1862-1934) was influenced by the French impressionism.
During the period of the National Music School
In p>1898, the British Folk Song Association was established, and many young musicians joined later. Two of them: Ralph Vaughan Williams, Holst (1872-1958) and Gustav Holst, 1874-1934) discovered the richness of English folk songs here. Later, they studied the ancient music of Elizabethan times and created a very unique English style. holst's orchestral suite "Planet System" is a very popular popular popular song.
William Fohan achieved even higher achievements. There are many works. Perhaps he is a representative of the 2th century British composers. His nine symphonies are highly respected. The string "Fantasia of Taris" is one of his recognized masterpieces, with the most polite British flavor.
Ban Jieming-Britten
Ban Jieming Britten (1913-76), a later generation, is a talented composer. In 1945, His opera "Peter Grimmes" made the British feel that Poucel finally had a successor. After World War II, his "War Requiem, 1962) became a symbol of peace. His works are numerous, mostly vocal music.
Among the more recent British composers, John Tavener, b.1944). Almost all his works have religious implications, and the techniques are bold.
Gustav Holst
I. Basic Introduction
Gustav holst was born in Cheltenham on September 21st, 1874. holst's father Adolphus inherited the family's musical tradition and was also a versatile musician. He taught holst the piano when his hands were old enough to receive formal fingering training. He tried to compose music at the age of 12, but his father opposed his creation because he wanted him to be a piano player! Holst had to secretly touch them on the piano while his father was out, and learned the initial composition principle from reading Berlioz's "Modern method of musical instruments and Orchestration". Later, he gained practical experience from conducting a small choir. Although holst showed great talent very early, his right arm neuritis became more and more serious. Finally, his father had to face the reality that Gustav could never make a living by playing skillfully. Once he learned this, He allowed his son to attend a two-month lecture on harmony and counterpoint held in Oxford. After that, he decided to let him study composition at the Royal Conservatory of Music in London.
Second, the reason for composition
In the spring of p>1913, holst went on holiday in Majorca, which was a rare opportunity to escape from reality, because the failure of the premiere of Messenger of the Cloud in London made him very depressed. Mayo He buried the opportunity to write Planets. This vacation brought great achievements.
Third, the source of inspiration
In his early career, he became interested in Indian philosophy and literature, and even taught himself Sanskrit to be able to translate. Through astrology, holst found that every planet had a very unique personality. He is determined that music is all these characteristics. How did the framework of this large-scale orchestral suite come into being?
Planetary Suite
Knowing the general situation of the planets in the sky before listening to the music, we may be able to exert our imagination and better understand the artistic conception of each music. For example, Mars is red and its name is Mars, and the music is full of vitality. Venus is white and its name is Venus, and its music is elegant and comfortable. Mercury's name is Mercury, the messenger god. It revolves around the sun very quickly, and the music is brisk. Jupiter's name is Zeus "Jupiter", which is the largest mass and volume in the planet, and the music is also the largest in the suite, full of joy; Saturn's name is "Satan", also known as the devil's star, and its music is gloomy and desolate. Uranus's name is "Uranus", the great god who rules the sky, and the more magical the music is; Neptune's name is Neptune, the farthest planet at that time, and its music is full of mystery.
First, Mars-the initiator of the war
Mars begins with a simple and striking rhythm played by timpani and violin (col legno, striking the strings with a bow). After that, the bassoon and French horn played a low and threatening triple beat music. Then try to switch from G to D, and then to D-flat. This passage is repeated many times, and the low brass tube rises and falls. The triple-beat phrase blown by the French horn is louder, in an attempt to make the movement reach a higher range, but it failed. The noisy treble of the trumpet adds a little panic atmosphere. The opening rhythm is accelerated, as if the brass tube is playing violently. After three bars of intense music, Trombone and French horn play a new theme. Until the strings reach a higher range, and dense plate chords are added to strengthen the new beat. At this time, the trombone plays a new melody with colorful phrases to strengthen the continuous repetition of the movement. The violin strongly expands the new theme. Then, the trumpet and the alto tuba alternately play a sharp five-tone motive melody, thus reaching a higher range, and the French horn starts to compete with it. A rush of orchestral music makes the music enter a powerful sustained chord, and soon the atmosphere of terror is restored. When the bass string and bassoon repeat the gloomy basic bass played by the trombone and French horn in front, the tambourine symbolizes the sound of the distant war with a steady rhythm of 5/4. When all the instruments are playing this gloomy phrase, a gradual increase makes people feel that the war is approaching. The strings play a full 5/4 rhythm. The opening G, The melodies in D and D-flat returned with renewed strength. When people recalled the violent music in front, intermittent drums came from time to time. The low dissonant chords seemed to protest against the human disturbance. Before the fierce drums ended, the strings responded. However, in the final chord, they did not give in to the extra strength of the bass.
Second, Venus, the messenger of peace
holst soloed four with French horn. Soon, the anger in the music of Mars was swept away, which reminded people of a completely different space, light and tranquility. In response, the indifferent flute became weaker. The chords of French horn, flute and harp swayed softly and appeared in the melody of flute. Then, the French horn of solo became stronger and the flute became weaker. The continuous high notes played by strings and flutes and the solo vitality expressed by cello introduced us into a wonderful woodwind chord. The melody is very sweet.
Example 1:
All violins play repeatedly, expanding the melody, and many faded two-beat melodies sound as if they are satisfied sighs. When the sogeum solo starts again, an impressive string phrase is added to the oboe. All the strings repeat the oboe phrase with greater passion. When playing this phrase, it is big.