From Symbolism to Modernism. Synthesis of the arts in music at 3106-SymMod-F
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the
phenomenon of synthesis of arts in European music of the late
19th and early 20th centuries. The problematic review of this
phenomenon will serve to deepen the knowledge of extra-
musical inspirations in the music of modernism. On the basis of
selected excerpts from the readings listed in the literature on the
subject, students will discuss examples of modernist synthesis of
the arts within the framework of the various artistic currents of
the era: from the seeds of this synthesis in the form of the total
work (musical drama) of Richard Wagner, through symbolism,
impressionism, expressionism, up to the formation of Young
Poland in music (as part of the discussion of the phenomenon on
the Polish ground). Two somewhat “side” and at the same time
original issues will also be touched upon: the concept of
secession in music and the outstanding work of two composers
of the Russian circle – Modest Mussorgsky and Alexander
Scriabin.
The classes will help broaden knowledge of extra-musical
contexts in the music of the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
which was strongly rooted in the literature and painting of the
period and was an expression of original concepts of synthesis of
the arts understood in many cases as an almost organic unity.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
WG_01, WG_02, UW_01, UK_01, UK_03, UK_04, UO_01, KK_01,
KK_03
Upon completion of the course, the student:
1. is able to characterize what the phenomenon of
synthesis of arts in music of the turn of the 19th and 20th
centuries consists of
2. has a structured general knowledge within the
framework of artistic currents of the turn of the 19th and
20th centuries
3. is able to characterize the main artistic currents present
in the music of modernism (symbolism, impressionism,
expressionism, secession, etc.) and is able to explain how
the phenomenon of the synthesis of arts was manifested
within a given artistic current
4. knows how to indicate the connection of European music
of modernism, including Young Poland, with other fields
of art
5. knows the most important creators (composers) of
modernism music and recognizes by ear selected works
representative of the current in question.
Assessment criteria
Attendance and active participation in class is required, which
will be given an additional bonus in the final grade. Students are
allowed two unexcused absences. The basis for passing will be a
short test of the knowledge gained in the course of the class and
a listening test conducted during the last class of the semester.
Bibliography
T. Baranowski, Scriabin and the Modernist Idea of
‘Correspondance des arts’, w: Musik in der Moderne / Music and
Modernism, red. F. Celestini, G. Kokorz i J. Johnson (Hg.),
Wien–Köln–Weimar 2011, s. 179–186.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: