“The only way for us to become great”, observed Johann Joachim Winckelmann “lies in the imitation of the Greeks”. With this idea, the German-born art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann encapsulated the movement of neoclassicism. Seeking to recapture the essence of classical Greek and Roman art, neoclassicism became the widespread movement in visual art in the mid-18th century. It gained popularity partly as a backlash against the baroque and rococo styles that concerned themselves with aristocracy, excess, institutionalism, and vanity. This sentimentalism towards civilizations past was not limited to art. It was rooted in the societal and political happenings of the time, especially in Europe. Neoclassicism became more than an art style to many countries: it became intertwined with the moral revolutions of the century. To Winckelmann, art needed to move its audience and teach virtue. Much like in the civilizations of Greece and Rome, art represents and serves humanity. Continue reading to THE ARTICLE »
Baroque, Romantic and Neoclassical music were styles of music during the time between the 18th century and the 20th century. Baroque music was a style of European classical music which was respected and inspirational between 1600 and 1750. Well-known and respected composers from the Baroque era were Arcangelo Corelli, Johann Sebastian Bach, Tomaso Albinoni, Antonio Vivaldi, Claudio Monteverdi and George Frideric Handel. “Baroque” comes from the Portuguese word barroco. Barrocco means ‘misshapen pearl’. The term Baroque originally described the era of time and later was used to refer to the style of music during that time. Baroque music developed just after the Renaissance which in turn was formed after Medieval music. Baroque music is known for its functional tonality which Continue reading to THE ARTICLE »
Inspired by the music of the 18th century, Neoclassical music brought about very talented composers and gave people a way to channel their emotions acquired from the Second World War.
Neoclassical music in the USA began right around the time of the Second World War. Neoclassical music was a 20th century development. It was inspired from the music of the 18th century as well as the Classical Period and the Baroque Period. For this reason, Neoclassical music can also be referred to as Neo-Baroque music.
Some of the heavy hitters in the Neoclassical music genre who also brought the popularity of Neoclassical Music in the USA were Bela Bartok, Leonard Bernstein, Nadia Boulanger, Benjamin Britten, Aaron Copland, Irving Fine, Paul Hindemith, Ernst Krenek, Carl Nielsen, Francis Poulenc, Dmitri Shostakovich, Erik Satie and Heitor Villa-Lobos. These were just a few of the many brilliant musicians involved Continue reading to THE ARTICLE »
The story and meanings behind Rococo and Baroque architecture
Nothing in existence simply “happens.” The creation of an entity requires stimulation, conception, and nurturing – whether it be an offspring, an event, or a simple idea. The increased popularity of neoclassical architecture in the mid 18th century did not occur because of a sudden societal nostalgia to revive the architecture of classical Greece and Rome. Certainly that is part of the equation, but more importantly, architectural movements are largely provoked by disenchantment with the mundane present. Neoclassical style was a reaction against the paradigms of the Renaissance architecture – chiefly, Rococo and Baroque architecture. It was these styles that laid the fertile foundations for neoclassicism to thrive.
Likewise, the Baroque architecture that largely defined European architecture in the 17th century was a reflection and affirmation of the times. Begun in Italy, Baroque style sought to extend upon the designs of the renaissance. However, the development of the Baroque architecture was largely dictated by Continue reading to THE ARTICLE »
