Module 6: The 20th Century Pt. 1 (1900-1945)

Question 1

What is Arnold Schoenberg best known for in the world of music?

Accepted Answer

Creating the 12-tone system

Question 2

What is a key feature of the 12-tone system developed by Schoenberg?

Accepted Answer

Equal importance to all 12 pitches in an octave

Question 3

How was the style of Impressionism named?

Accepted Answer

After a Monet painting, "Impression: Sunrise"

Question 4

Which significant milestone did William Grant Still achieve in 1936?

Accepted Answer

Conducting a major symphony orchestra

Question 5

What analogy did Charles Ives use to describe his music?

Accepted Answer

Two bands marching past each other on a street

Question 6

Debussy was influenced by music from which regions?

Accepted Answer

Russia and Asia

Question 7

In 20th-century music, how was melody typically treated compared to earlier periods?

Accepted Answer

Melody featured frequent wide leaps and irregular rhythms

Question 8

Which composer did Igor Stravinsky study under?

Accepted Answer

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Question 9

What kind of musical techniques did Bartok often use in his compositions?

Accepted Answer

Harsh dissonances, polychords, tone clusters

Question 10

Who was George Gershwin's frequent collaborator and lyricist?

Accepted Answer

Ira Gershwin

Question 11

What was a significant effect of television on music in the 1950s?

Accepted Answer

It made concerts more accessible by bringing viewers to the concert hall.

Question 12

What is the title of William Grant Still's opera about the Haitian slave rebellion?

Accepted Answer

Troubled Island

Question 13

What was the reaction of some reviewers to the new music of the early 20th century?

Accepted Answer

They believed it had no relationship to music at all

Question 14

How did the use of percussion change in 20th-century music?

Accepted Answer

Percussion use was greatly expanded with new instruments

Question 15

How did American composers view jazz during this period?

Accepted Answer

As nationalistic music

Question 16

How did the 20th century impact opportunities for artists from minority communities?

Accepted Answer

Opportunities increased

Question 17

What was a significant characteristic of music created between 1900 and 1945?

Accepted Answer

A revolt against musical traditions and rules

Question 18

Which musical was George Gershwin's first Broadway success at the age of 20?

Accepted Answer

La, La, Lucille

Question 19

How did Bela Bartok gather material for his compositions?

Accepted Answer

By collecting and recording folk songs in remote areas

Question 20

Aaron Copland's music is described as:

Accepted Answer

Simple, yet highly professional

Question 21

Expressionism often uses deliberate distortions to achieve what purpose?

Accepted Answer

To assault and shock the audience

Question 22

What significant global conflict was a hallmark of the first half of the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

World War II

Question 23

What style of music is Berg known for?

Accepted Answer

Atonal music

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of 20th-century music?

Accepted Answer

Traditional tonal systems dominate

Question 25

How did recorded and broadcast music impact society in the early 20th century?

Accepted Answer

It brought concert hall experiences to places like cars and living rooms

Question 26

How did the performance of "The Rite of Spring" in 1913 impact the audience?

Accepted Answer

It caused a riot

Question 27

What did Aaron Copland contribute to American music besides composing?

Accepted Answer

He directed composers’ groups and organized concerts

Question 28

How did Symbolist poets differ from traditional poets?

Accepted Answer

They preferred to "suggest" rather than make hard statements

Question 29

Which of the following technologies rapidly advanced during the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

Radio

Question 30

What was a major economic pattern during the time between the two world wars?

Accepted Answer

Boom and bust cycle

Question 31

Why did Neoclassicism in music sound modern despite using older techniques?

Accepted Answer

It organized 20th-century harmonies and rhythms

Question 32

What is one characteristic of Webern's melodies?

Accepted Answer

Made up of several two to three note fragments

Question 33

How did Debussy expand the harmonic vocabulary in his compositions?

Accepted Answer

By using 5-note chords instead of traditional 3-note chords

Question 34

In what way did American universities contribute to the music scene?

Accepted Answer

They became new patrons of music, supporting modern music and composers.

Question 35

Which musical forms did Neoclassicism in music base its new compositions upon?

Accepted Answer

Classical and Baroque

Question 36

For which composition did Charles Ives win the Pulitzer Prize in 1947?

Accepted Answer

Third Symphony

Question 37

What is one characteristic of Stravinsky's music?

Accepted Answer

Frequent use of ostinato

Question 38

Which art movement is associated with artists like Picasso and was characterized by distorted views?

Accepted Answer

Cubism

Question 39

Which of the following best describes a key characteristic of Expressionism?

Accepted Answer

Exploration of inner feelings

Question 40

What was one of the influences on composers during this time period?

Accepted Answer

African and Asian musical styles

Module 6: The 20th Century Pt. 1 (1900-1945)

Questions 40

Module 6: The 20th Century Pt. 1 (1900-1945)

Questions 40