“The most important aspects of classical art,” observed German historian and archaeologist Johann J. Winckelmann, “is its noble simplicity and calm grandeur.” As an archaeologist, Winckelmann became inspired by the ancient artifacts being recovered at the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. In the late 1700s, the popular stylization in European art was baroque and rococo styles. To critics, these styles were vain and overly ostentatious to be truly considered art. Rococo art, for example, symbolized European aristocracy with its attention on great scale and themes of worldly pleasures. Likewise, baroque art became an institutionalized art because it often portrayed the grandeur and power of the Catholic Church, which supported the style. The new age of painters became disenchanted with this status quo. Occurring concurrent with societal and political shifts in Europe, neoclassical style was born. Continue reading to THE ARTICLE »
Paul Hindemith, who is among one of the greatest neoclassical music composers, was born in Germany in 1895. As an early child Hindemith was taught the violin. He later entered the Hochsche Konservatorium in Frankfurt am Main. At the Hochsche Konservatorium he studied violin with Adolf Rebner. He also studied composition and conducting with Arnold Mendelssohn and Bernhard Sekles. In 1914 Hindemith became deputy leader of the Frankfurt Opera Orchestra and three years later he became leader of the Frankfurt Opera Orchestra. Hindemith founded the Amar Quartet in 1921. At the International Society for Contemporary Music festival at Salzburg, Germany in 1922, some of his pieces were showcased. This provided Paul Hindemith with an international audience. Following this, Continue reading to THE ARTICLE »
Perhaps the most famous Neoclassical musician and composer was Igor Stravinsky. Stravinsky’s best known compositions were The Firebird, Pulcinella, The Soldier’s Tale, Apollon Musagete, The Rite of Spring, his Symphony of Salms, Orpheus and L’Histoire du oldate, and Symphony in Three Movements. In these works Stravinsky changed things up by using mostly the piano, wind instruments and choral works instead of the typical grand orchestra style of ballet of the time. Especially Pulcinella is an important work in his career asit was Pulcinella that led him to neoclassical style. First performance of Pulcinella was a big success with costumes produced by Picasso and simple, modern music of Igor Stravinsky. Continue reading to THE ARTICLE »
