20th century classical music saw many new styles and approaches emerge as composers experimented with new sounds and questioned traditional forms of composition. Composers like Arnold Schoenberg developed the 12-tone technique of composing using mathematical relationships between notes, while Igor Stravinsky wrote in diverse styles and provoked audiences with pieces like The Rite of Spring. Aaron Copland championed American music, incorporating jazz and folk elements into his compositions that were performed around the world.

1. Name: 20th Century Classical Music
Dates: 1900-2000
Country: All over the
world, especially Europe and
America
Facts:
• There were many, many types of
music being used.
• Composers questioned: “What is
music?” – sometimes they used
weird sounds or even everyday
objects in their songs.
Music:
• Musicians started using electronic
music (which is mostly what we
hear on the radio today).
• Many musicians wanted to break
free from earlier styles of music.

2. Name: Arnold Schoenberg
Dates: 1874-1951
Country: Austria
Facts:
• The Nazi party didn’t like his
music.
• He helped create a new way to
compose music, using math
more than ever before.
Music:
• He developed the 12 tone
method, composing music by
giving the notes numbers.
• He also used “spoken voice” –
his singers would speak, sing,
and sometimes make other
noises.

3. Name: Igor Stravinsky
Dates: 1882-1971
Country: Russia, later America
Facts:
• When one of his pieces was
performed at a ballet in Paris, the
audience rioted!
• Stravinsky lived in
Russia, Paris, LA and NYC
• He believe that, “Music praises
God.”
Music:
• He used really large orchestras in
some of his music.
• He wrote in many different styles.
• He won four Grammy awards and
also wrote music for early
Hollywood films.

4. Name: Aaron Copland
Dates: 1900-1990
Country: United States
Facts:
• He wanted to write American
music (not just borrow from
Europe).
• He was one of the first
American composers to have
his music known around the
world.
Music:
• Copland used jazz and
American folk tunes in his
music.
• He wrote music for the
ballet, opera, radio, theater, an
d movies.

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Dates:
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