Ep 15. Electronic Music and European Ultraserialism

The Great Music of the 20th Century season 1 episode 15 explores the development and influence of Electronic Music and European Ultraserialism on the music scene of the 20th century. The episode covers the work of key composers including Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pierre Boulez, and Luciano Berio, who were at the forefront of these musical movements.

Electronic Music was a revolutionary style that emerged in the 1950s and relied heavily on the use of electronic instruments such as synthesizers, oscillators, and tape recorders. The episode highlights the contributions made by pioneers of the genre like Pierre Schaeffer, who was a French composer who created the first piece of "concrete music," and Robert Moog, who developed the first synthesizer.

Ultraserialism, on the other hand, was a compositional style that focused on the use of a strict set of mathematical rules in making music. The episode explains that composers regarded it as a way to remove sentimentality from the art form and produce a more objective piece of music. The episode explores the work of composers like Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pierre Boulez, and Luciano Berio, who were pioneers in the field of Ultraserialism.

The episode covers a range of musical pieces created by these composers and highlights the key features of Electronic Music and Ultraserialism. For instance, in examining Karlheinz Stockhausen's Kontakte, the viewer learns about the work's use of stereophonic sound and the compositional technique that involved the manipulation of tape recordings. Moreover, the episode goes on to explore Pierre Boulez's Le marteau sans maitre and Luciano Berio's Sinfonia, which are significant works in Ultraserialism.

Throughout the episode, experts explore the political and social context of the time, which played a significant role in shaping the development and popularity of these musical movements. The Cold War, for instance, was a time when governments funded research and development of new technologies, which paved the way for the development of electronic instruments. Additionally, the contemporary political climate encouraged artists to embrace new techniques and methods to express social and political messages through music.

The episode concludes by examining the impact that Electronic Music and Ultraserialism had on the broader music scene of the 20th century. The style's use of new electronic instruments and complex mathematical methods opened up new avenues for contemporary composers and shaped the way contemporary music is made.

Overall, The Great Music of the 20th Century season 1 episode 15, Electronic Music and European Ultraserialism, is an in-depth exploration of two key musical movements that had a significant impact on the 20th century music scene. By examining the key works of pioneers in both genres, the episode provides an excellent introduction to the history and significance of Electronic Music and Ultraserialism.