Comparing The Works Of Richard Wagner And Richard Strauss

During the time periods of the Late-Romantic period and the Modern period, music changed for the better. A lot of different musical techniques and innovations came to light during these time periods. Music took a leap and cultural isms like nationalism and impressionism came to light. Composers of both of these generations share aspects of both eras. Traits used in the late 19th century carryover to 20th century composers to be further enhanced. Measuring oneself against the past and being more sensible is how these to time periods are similar. Two composers for these two respective time periods that have similarities and differences as well are Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. Richard Wagner is considered to be the most decorated and influential …show more content…
Two opera pieces of Wagner and Strauss that can be compared and contrasted is Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” and Strauss’ “Dance of the Seven Veils.” Both of these two composers use leitmotifs within their respective pieces and have associations of keys with characters. Both composers established certain roles for characters in their operas and both operas have a religious background to them. The part of the dramatic soprano is taken very seriously between these two pieces because of the vocal demand of the pieces itself. Other then the character roles, the music within the opera itself can be similar. Both of these pieces have a similar dissonance to them. The two pieces seem to have a changing flow to them, which is why they can be considered dissonant. Another similarity between these two opera pieces is the key. In Strauss’ piece “Dance of the Seven Veils,” atonality is used to make the key change. So there is no clear key within the opera piece because it lacks one. In Wagner’s piece “Tristan und Isolde,” there is shifting keys throughout the piece. So both pieces seem to not have a clear consistent key throughout the …show more content…
Wagner’s opera piece gravities toward a more consistent chromatic harmony. Strauss’ opera piece uses a more complex harmony within its music. So between the two pieces the harmony has a different approach. Between the musical elements of these pieces there can be similarities and differences. For the most part these two pieces have similar rhythms. They both tend to have a moderately slow tempo throughout the piece but pick up at times. The only differences being where the tempo picks up within each of the two pieces. The melody of the pieces can be considered different. Between the two pieces there is no clear-cut steady melody throughout the entirety of the pieces, but Wagner’s piece does show a more freer flowing smooth melody for the most part. For the texture of these two pieces there is similarities. Both of these pieces can be considered homophonic because of notes being played simultaneously. As for the meter of these pieces, there are both similarities and differences because multiple meters are present throughout the piece. Finally the form of these pieces can be considered similar. In these pieces there seems to be a consistent steady theme, which would categorize theme as strophic

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Comparing The Works Of Richard Wagner And Richard Strauss

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