A Novel Kind of Music: Realism in Music and Literature
Headline:Classical Music’s Revolution: How Haydn’s Symphonies Mirrored the Riseof Literary Realism
Introduction:
This article explores the parallels between the emergence of classical music in the 18th century and the rise ofliterary realism during the same period. It argues that both art forms underwent a revolutionary shift, moving away from static, additive structures towards a more dynamic, narrative-driven approach.
Body:
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The Shift from Static to Dynamic: The article contrasts the music of Henry Purcell (17th century) with that of Joseph Haydn (18th century). Purcell’s fantasias, while beautiful and sophisticated, are described as additive and lacking a clear narrative arc. Haydn’s symphonies, on the other hand, are characterized by their motion, directionality, and spatial depth, creating asense of storytelling and narrative progression.
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Three Key Innovations: The article identifies three key innovations in musical composition that contributed to this shift:
- Greater Variety of Texture: This refers to the surface events and gestures of the music, which became more diverse and expressive.
- Unified Structure: The use of large-scale repetition and resolution created a more integrated and cohesive structure.
- New System of Harmony: This system allowed for the creation of a sense of proximity, distance, foreground, and depth over extended periods of time.
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Parallelism with Literary Realism: The article drawsa direct parallel between these musical innovations and the emergence of literary realism. It notes that while the ancients viewed realism as the pursuit of universals, the 17th and 18th centuries saw a shift towards a focus on down-to-earth subject matter, plausible detail and convincing chronology.This focus on detail, narrative progression, and the creation of believable worlds mirrors the changes observed in classical music.
Conclusion:
The article concludes by suggesting that the rise of classical music and literary realism were not isolated events but rather part of a broader cultural shift towards a more dynamic and narrative-driven approach to art. Both forms embraced a new sense of realism, focusing on the details of human experience and the power of storytelling.
Additional Points:
- The article could be expanded to discuss specific examples of literary realism and how they relate to the musical innovations described.
- It could also explore the impact of these changeson the development of both music and literature in the centuries that followed.
- The article could consider the role of social and political factors in shaping these artistic revolutions.
Note: This is a brief outline. The article would need to be fleshed out with more detailed analysis and examples. However, thisprovides a framework for a compelling and insightful exploration of the connection between music and literature.
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