Modern harmony, a term often used interchangeably with "late-Romantic" or "post-Romantic" harmony, refers to a significant shift in harmonic language that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It represents a departure from the established rules and conventions of Classical and Romantic harmony, exploring new and often complex ways to manipulate chords and create musical tension and resolution.
Here's a breakdown of key features:
Key Characteristics:
* Expanded Chord Vocabulary: Composers embraced extended chords, which incorporate notes beyond the traditional triads and seventh chords. This includes chords with added 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths, creating richer and more complex harmonic textures.
* Dissonance and Ambiguity: Dissonance became a central element, replacing the clear resolution and consonant sounds of earlier periods. Modern harmony often features unresolved dissonances and ambiguous chord progressions, leaving the listener in a state of harmonic uncertainty.
* Chromaticism: Increased use of chromaticism (notes outside the key) creates a sense of tension and instability. Frequent chromatic alterations and modulations (shifts in key) contribute to the ambiguity and unpredictable nature of the music.
* Tonality and Atonality: Modern harmony explored both tonality (the use of a key center) and atonality (the absence of a clear key center). Some composers, like Schoenberg, fully embraced atonality, while others, like Debussy, used tonality in a less traditional, more fluid way.
* Increased Complexity and Experimentation: Modern harmonies often defy conventional harmonic rules and embrace unconventional chord progressions and structures. Composers experimented with new concepts like polytonality (the use of multiple keys simultaneously) and polychords (combinations of chords played together).
Impact and Influence:
* Breaking with Tradition: Modern harmony challenged the established harmonic norms of the past, leading to a dramatic shift in musical language and aesthetics.
* New Sounds and Expressions: It opened up new sonic possibilities and allowed composers to express a wider range of emotions and ideas.
* Influence on Later Music: Modern harmony has had a profound influence on subsequent musical styles, including jazz, film scores, and contemporary classical music.
Notable Composers:
* Richard Wagner: Known for his complex harmonies and use of leitmotifs.
* Gustav Mahler: Explored large-scale structures and emotional intensity through harmonic innovation.
* Claude Debussy: Pioneered impressionistic harmony, characterized by fluidity, ambiguity, and chromaticism.
* Arnold Schoenberg: Developed the twelve-tone technique, a system of composing atonal music.
* Igor Stravinsky: Employed bold and dissonant harmonies in his ballets and orchestral works.
Modern harmony is not a singular style but rather a broad movement encompassing diverse approaches and techniques. Its impact on musical history is undeniable, as it ushered in a new era of experimentation and innovation in harmony, ultimately shaping the sound of music in the 20th century and beyond.