Lecture 20. The Colossal Symphony: Beethoven, Berlioz, Mahler and Shostakovich

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7 Dec 201251:53

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThis university lecture analyzes the development of the symphony and symphony orchestra over the course of the 19th century, from Mozart to Mahler. It explores how technological innovations enlarged string, woodwind, and brass instruments to create a bigger, more powerful romantic sound. The professor plays musical examples demonstrating how expanded orchestras allowed composers like Wagner to hold chords much longer. The lecture culminates with Mahler’s grand First Symphony finale, representing the pinnacle of the classical orchestra before recorded sound changed everything.

Takeaways

😀 The script is a university lecture about the development of the symphony orchestra in the 19th century.
🎻 New technological innovations allowed 19th century string instruments like the violin to produce bigger, more powerful sounds.
🎺 Brass instruments like the tuba and trombone were introduced into the symphony orchestra in the 19th century.
🎵 Composers like Wagner used bigger orchestras and slower tempos to hold single chords for longer periods of time.
🎶 The increased size of 19th century orchestras enabled longer symphony movements and more opulent, luxuriant sounds.
🏛 New concert halls like the Musikverein in Vienna were built to accommodate larger orchestras and audiences.
🎼 Composers from Mozart to Mahler represent the pinnacle of the Germanic symphonic tradition.
🎹 Mahler's Symphony No. 1 begins with a 'cosmic' sound and makes use of familiar melodies in unfamiliar ways.
🔊 Steam engines and cannons created some of the loudest man-made sounds in the 19th century.
🎶 Mahler's massive orchestras mark the culmination of the symphony orchestra before electronic music.

Q & A

What time period does the professor say this lecture will cover in terms of the symphony?
-The lecture will cover the symphony from Mozart to Mahler, so from the Classical period in the late 18th century through the Romantic period in the 19th century.
How did symphony orchestras change over the course of the 19th century?
-Symphony orchestras grew larger, with more musicians and more diverse instruments. The string section grew, and new woodwinds like the piccolo and contrabassoon were added. The brass section expanded with the tuba, and the trombone became more prominent.
How did 19th century violins differ from 18th century violins?
-19th century violins had a higher bridge, stronger wire strings, a longer fingerboard, and a larger bow, which allowed them to play with more tension, volume and expression.
What's an example of how Romantic music differed from Classical music compositionally?
-Romantic melodies tended to be longer, more sweeping and asymmetrical compared to the balanced, regular phrases of the Classical style. Rhythm and tempo were more flexible, with rubato and frequent shifts.
Why could Romantic composers like Wagner hold chords longer than Classical composers?
-Romantic orchestras were much larger, so composers could let chords ring out and use the sheer size of the orchestra to create interest during held chords. Classical orchestras were smaller and had to keep rhythmically driving.
How did concert hall design change in the Romantic period?
-New concert halls were built to accommodate the huge Romantic orchestras. They were designed for optimal acoustics, often modeled on the Musikverein in Vienna. Places like Symphony Hall in Boston copied this design.
What is distinctive about Mahler's orchestral writing style?
-Mahler used large forces and expansive gestures to create a spacious, transcendent sound sometimes described as "cosmic." He often highlighted solo instruments like horns and used offstage groups.
What main line of symphonic tradition does the professor identify?
-The professor identifies a Germanic symphonic tradition running from Mozart and Haydn through Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler. He calls this the main line even though some composers were not German.
Why does the professor consider Mozart and Mahler two high points of symphonic writing?
-He feels both composers wrote music of tremendous imagination, craft and expressive range. Mozart did this with smaller forces while Mahler exploited the full 19th century orchestra.
What development at the turn of the 20th century challenged the traditional symphony orchestra?
-The professor notes that the invention of recorded, electronically-amplified sound allowed quieter music to be heard, so huge forces were no longer always needed. This changed music and concerts.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Introduction to the Symphony

The professor begins the lecture acknowledging the low attendance, attributing it to the topic's complexity and the time of the semester. The focus of the day is on the evolution of the symphony orchestra during the nineteenth century, highlighting significant changes and examining the works of key composers like Beethoven and Haydn, with a particular emphasis on Beethoven's Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth Symphonies, and Haydn's 'Surprise Symphony.' The lecture aims to trace the development of symphonic composition from Mozart to Mahler, setting the stage for an exploration of the symphony's transformation over the century.

05:00

🎵 Evolution of Musical Instruments

The lecture delves into the technical advancements in musical instruments during the nineteenth century, particularly focusing on the violin and woodwinds. Changes such as the higher bridge on violins and the introduction of wire strings significantly enhanced the instruments' sound. The construction of the violin was modified to increase tension and volume, leading to a more powerful sound. Additionally, the evolution of woodwind instruments is discussed, noting the introduction of the piccolo, the contrabassoon, and the English horn, which contributed to the orchestra's expanded range and timbral variety.

10:02

🌍 The Symphony's Romantic Expansion

The narrative moves to the Romantic period's impact on the symphony, characterized by longer, asymmetrical melodies, and complex rhythms that defy easy categorization. The professor touches upon the concept of 'tempo rubato' and the dynamic extremes possible with the larger, technologically improved instruments of the time. The emphasis is on how the Romantic period introduced a wider emotional and dynamic range into symphonic music, facilitated by innovations in musical instruments and an expansion of the orchestra, leading to a more expressive and powerful orchestral sound.

15:06

🔍 Instrumental Innovations and Their Impact

The discussion centers on the significant changes in musical instruments and their effect on the symphony orchestra's capabilities. Highlighting the violin's transformation for a more robust sound, the addition of new woodwind instruments for broader tonal colors, and the integration of the piccolo and contrabassoon to extend the orchestra's range. The introduction of the English horn is noted for its distinctive, rich tone, contributing to the symphony's evolving sound palette. These instrumental advancements allowed composers to explore new musical textures and dynamics, enriching the symphonic tradition.

20:09

🎺 The Brass Family's Evolution

This section explores the development of brass instruments in the symphonic orchestra, focusing on the introduction and adaptation of the trumpet, trombone, and French horn. The lecture discusses Beethoven's pioneering use of the trombone for dramatic effect and the subsequent addition of the tuba by Hector Berlioz, further enriching the orchestra's sonic depth. The transformation of brass instruments played a crucial role in achieving the powerful, heroic sounds that became a hallmark of Romantic symphonic music.

25:10

📯 The French Horn's Transformation

The professor discusses the evolution of the French horn, from its valveless, limited chromatic capability in the eighteenth century to the addition of keys or valves in the nineteenth century, which significantly expanded its range and versatility. This technological advancement allowed the French horn to emerge as a prominent solo instrument within the orchestra, capable of more complex and expressive melodies, reflecting the broader trend of increasing instrumental complexity and expressiveness in symphonic music.

30:11

🎼 Wagner's Influence and Orchestral Growth

The lecture examines Wagner's role in extending the boundaries of harmonic language and orchestral size, using the example of his overture to 'The Flying Dutchman' to illustrate how Wagner could sustain chords for much longer periods than Mozart due to the larger, more powerful orchestra at his disposal. This section underscores the evolution of the symphony orchestra through the nineteenth century, culminating in significantly larger ensembles capable of a vast dynamic range and rich, complex textures, reflecting broader trends in Romantic music.

35:12

🏛️ Concert Halls and Acoustic Innovations

The focus shifts to the architectural and acoustic advancements in concert halls designed to accommodate the expanding symphony orchestra. The lecture highlights the Musikverein in Vienna as a model for acoustically superior concert hall design, influencing other famous venues like Symphony Hall in Boston and Woolsey Hall. The professor discusses how these spaces were optimized for symphonic performances, considering factors like reverberation and audience absorption, to enhance the orchestral sound.

40:14

🎻 Mahler and the Symphony's Pinnacle

The professor introduces Gustav Mahler, emphasizing his role in the symphonic tradition and focusing on his First Symphony as an exemplar of late Romantic orchestral music. The lecture describes Mahler's innovative use of thematic material and orchestration to achieve a 'cosmic' sound, highlighting the symphony's structural and thematic complexity. Mahler's work represents the culmination of the symphony's evolution, showcasing the emotional depth and technical sophistication achieved by the late nineteenth century.

45:15

🔚 The Symphony's Transformation in the Modern Era

Concluding the lecture, the professor reflects on the reasons behind the shift in the symphonic tradition with the advent of electronically produced sound, which changed the consumption of music. This transition marks a significant turning point in the history of art music, leading to new forms of musical expression and the eventual decline of the traditional, large-scale symphonic form as the pinnacle of high art music.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Symphony Orchestra

The symphony orchestra, as discussed in the transcript, refers to a large ensemble of musicians playing various instruments, categorized mainly into strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Throughout the 19th century, the symphony orchestra underwent significant expansions and transformations, both in size and in the range of instruments included, to accommodate the evolving musical compositions of the time. This evolution allowed composers like Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, and Mahler to explore new textures, dynamics, and emotional depths in their works, contributing to the period's rich symphonic literature.

💡Beethoven's Symphonies

Ludwig van Beethoven's symphonies, specifically the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth, are highlighted as pivotal studies in the course. These works represent monumental shifts in the symphonic form and orchestration, showcasing Beethoven's innovation and influence on the Romantic era. The Fifth Symphony's introduction of trombones to the orchestra, for example, marked a significant expansion of the orchestral palette, allowing for a broader range of sounds and dynamics that would shape the future of symphonic music.

💡Romantic Music

Romantic music, as described, is characterized by its expressive melodies, expanded forms, and emotional intensity, diverging from the structured and balanced compositions of the Classical period. Composers like Tchaikovsky and Mahler, with their use of long, sweeping melodies, irregular rhythms, and dynamic contrasts, epitomize this era. The emphasis on individual expression, the exploration of new themes, and the incorporation of nationalistic elements are key features of Romantic music that are discussed in relation to the development of the symphony.

💡Instrumentation

Instrumentation in the context of the video refers to the composition and development of musical instruments within the symphony orchestra over the 19th century. Significant technological advances led to the introduction of new instruments and improvements to existing ones, such as the piccolo, contrabassoon, and tuba, as well as enhancements to string instruments like the violin. These changes allowed composers to explore new sounds and textures, contributing to the evolution of symphonic music.

💡Homophonic Texture

Homophonic texture, as mentioned, is characterized by the presence of a single, clear melody line accompanied by chords. This texture is prevalent in Classical period music, as exemplified by Mozart's works, where the melody is often carried by the strings, and the accompaniment is provided by the rest of the orchestra. The simplicity and clarity of homophonic texture allow for the melody to stand out, reflecting the Classical era's emphasis on balance and form.

💡Tempo Rubato

Tempo rubato, a term used in the discussion of Romantic music, refers to the expressive and flexible timing employed by composers to enhance the emotional quality of the music. This technique involves slight speeding up and slowing down of the tempo, deviating from the strict metronomic rhythm. It is indicative of the Romantic era's expressive freedom and contrasts sharply with the more rigid rhythmic patterns of the Classical period.

💡Mozart's G Minor Symphony

Mozart's G Minor Symphony is mentioned as a key piece studied in the course, representing the Classical era's symphonic form and style. Mozart's use of a smaller, more modest orchestra and his ability to create profound emotional impact through melodic and harmonic innovation exemplify the Classical period's ideals. The symphony is notable for its emotional depth, intricate melodies, and balanced structures.

💡Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Mozart's 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik,' mentioned in the transcript, serves as an example of Classical period music characterized by its balanced form, clear melody, and homophonic texture. This piece, a serenade for strings, exemplifies the Classical era's emphasis on clarity, symmetry, and elegance in music. It is used to illustrate the contrast between the small, string-dominated orchestras of the Classical period and the larger, more diverse orchestras of the Romantic era.

💡Symphonie Fantastique

Hector Berlioz's 'Symphonie Fantastique' is cited as a pioneering work in the use of the tuba in orchestral settings, marking a significant moment in the evolution of symphonic music. This piece represents the Romantic era's experimentation with new sounds, orchestral colors, and programmatic themes, illustrating the period's break from Classical traditions and its embrace of innovative orchestration techniques.

💡Paleontology and Music

The reference to paleontology in the context of the 19th century's understanding of time and its influence on music highlights the era's expanding awareness of history and the universe. This newfound perspective is mirrored in the Romantic era's music, which often features expansive forms, extended movements, and a broader emotional range. The analogy suggests that just as paleontology opened up new understandings of time and history, Romantic composers expanded the temporal and emotional dimensions of music.

Highlights

First significant research finding

Introduction of new theoretical model

Notable contribution to field

Transcripts

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