Mahler’s Fourth Symphony
*Compser’s most conventional symphony at quoting his lieder and using voices. First movement classical in form with precise orchestration and recuring themes. *2nd movement is a grim scherzo. *4th mvt. based on song depicting a child’s vision of heaven
Kindertotenlider (Songs on the Death of Children)
Song cycle with orchestra by Mahler. Based on 5 poems by Ruckert. Spare use of instruments creates a chamber music-like transparency. *Post-Wagnarian harmony intensifies emotions.
Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth)
Song cycle with orchestra by Mahler. Translated from Chinese, created for tenor and alto soloists w/ orchestra.
Boris Gudenov
Musorgsky’s opera based on a Pushkin play. *Vocal melody is speechlike. *Much of singing is similar to Russian folk songs.
Till Eulenspigel’s Lustige Streiche (Till Eulenspiegal’s Merry Pranks)
By Strauss, a representational telling of a trickster’s exploits. Strauss called the form a rondo. Used Leitmotif.
Don Quixote
Strauss’ opera, utilizes thematic transformation. Much of work sounds like chamber music.
Salome
Strauss’ opera, based on a one-act play by Oscar Wilde, based on a biblical story. Dissonance used influenced later composers.
Elecktra
Strauss’ opera, first of 7 operas to librettos by playwright Hugo von Hofmannstahl. Included polytonal music, as well as the Germinal complex chord.
Der Rosenkavalier.
Strauss’ opera, depicts a sunny world of elegance, eroticism, and nostalgia. Sentimental comedy using Vienese waltzes.
National Society for French Music
Founded to give performances of works by French composers – Inspired new works. Revived music of the past through editions and performances of Rameau, Gluck, and others.
Also Sprach Zarathustra
Strauss’ musical commentary on Nietzsche’s long prose poem.; Made famous by movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Of Science and Learning
Fugue with every note of chromatic scale sounds before any note is repeated.