Learn about nationalism and its relationship to music.

1. RSNO Maestro Music 2011 Nationalism

2. Intended Learning Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 2 In this presentation, we will learn about the term nationalismand how different composers have created nationalist music We will also explore how other cultural groups have expressed their identity through music and dance We will then learn how one of the composers from Maestro Music 2011 wrote nationalist music, and what influenced him to do so We will also discuss the idea of nationalism and how it applies to our lives today

3. Introduction Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 3 One of the key themes of the RSNO’s Maestro Music concert this year is nationalism This PowerPoint presentation is intended to give some thought-provoking background ideas and a context in which to listen to some of the pieces of music Before we begin, what nationality are you? What defines this nationality for you? Is it the way you speak, what your wear, or something political or religious? Let’s start with looking at the dictionary definition of nationalism…

4. Introduction Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 4 na·tion·al·ism [nash-uh-nl-iz-uhm] noun 1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a sentiment based on common cultural characteristics that binds a population and often produces a policy of national independence or separatism 2. loyalty or devotion to one's country; patriotism 3. exaggerated, passionate, or fanatical devotion to a national community nationalist n & adj nationalistic adj* Click here to learn more about this definition on Schools-Wikipedia. *Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

5. Introduction Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 5 So, nationalism helps us identify who we are through cultural characteristics It can bring us together and unite us (think of the Eurovision song competition!) It can also a basis for political movements It is has been the source of cultural styles for many centuries This presentation will concentrate on the musical styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and how they demonstrate nationalism Image source: http://blogs.channel4.com/benjamin-cohen-on-technology/files/2011/05/eurovision.jpg

6. Nationalism in Music Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 6 Composers often incorporate aspects of national identity in their music This became more and more popular in the 19th century during the Romantic era of music Composers would draw upon folk tunes of their country and add them to their music They would narrate important historical events through music (the popular musical Les Miserables is a good example of this) Image source: http://www.roadsidetheater.com/just_cosette.jpg

7. Nationalism in Music Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 7 They drew upon national legends and tales Composers were often dictated to by governments about what their music should sound like Composers have also used music as a way to express anti-government feelings Nationalistic styles were heightened during periods of war as people became patriotic about their country

8. Nationalism in Music Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 8 The following video clips illustrate how traditional cultures have influenced classical composers The first video clip is of a traditional Slovakian folk dance and accompanying music The second clip illustrates how composer Dvorak uses this style of music for full orchestral forces The third clip gives us a taste of life as a Shaker, an American religious movement in the late 1800s The final clip is of Appalachian Spring by the American composer Copland, who included the Shaker worship song called Simple Gifts in this piece

9. Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 9 Nationalism in Music Slovakia: Folk Dances

10. Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 10 Nationalism in Music Antonin Dvorak: Slavonic Dances

11. Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 11 Nationalism in Music Shakers: Simple Gifts

12. Nationalism in Music 12 Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated.

13. Nationalism in Music Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 13 Can you hear the use of the traditional cultures in these two classical pieces of music? Do they sound typical of the nations they come from, America and Slovakia? What is it that makes them sound nationalistic?

14. Who am I? Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 14 Look at the pictures below that depict the life of one of the composers featured in Maestro Music:

15. Ask yourself the following: Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 15 When did this person live, what century or era? What sort of life did they lead? What were their interests? What was their education like? Did they have any connections to other famous people?

16. Ralph Vaughan Williams Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 16 The images are connected to the life of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams: He was born in The Vicarage, in Down Ampney, on 12 October 1872 He had two famous great-great grandfathers, Charles Darwin and Josiah Wedgwood (founder of Wedgwood Pottery) He learned to play the violin at a young age

17. Ralph Vaughan Williams Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 17 He was educated at Charterhouse School in Surrey and studied music at the Royal College of Music in London He joined the 2/4th London Field Ambulance, part of the 179th Brigade and fought in WWI He also became involved in war time activities during WWII He was a conductor, and often conducted his own works He was a great collector of folk songs and wrote many tunes in manuscript

18. A London Symphony by Vaughan Williams Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 18 The RSNO will perform the second movement of Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No5, which was also known as “a London Symphony” Look up the piece and take a listen What makes it sound “English”? Vaughan Williams used rhythms and melodies commonly heard in English folk music (especially country dances) He was also inspired by landmarks in London If you listen closely, you can hear the bells from Westminster Cathedral

19. A London Symphony by Vaughan Williams Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 19 There were a lot of factors in his life that inspired Vaughan Williams to write such nationalist music: His ancestors were English He grew up in the English countryside He studied music in London He served England in both World Wars Which of these factors do you think had the biggest impact on Vaughan Williams? Why?

20. What do you think? Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 20 Do you consider yourself patriotic? Why or why not? If you were going to write a “Scottish” piece, what would you do to make it sound Scottish? What kinds of rhythms and melodies would you include?

21. What do you think? Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 21 Consider the following things that help people identify as Scottish: Places Religion Mythology Language and Literature Music and Dance Art Food Would you refer to any of these things in your Scottish music? How? What else might you include?

22. What do you think? Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 22 How can nationalism be positive? How can nationalism be negative? Do you think people are more or less nationalist now than they were in Vaughan Williams’ time? Why or Why not? What has changed? Where else do you see examples of nationalism?

23. Experiences and Outcomes Copyright RSNO Education and Community Partnerships unless otherwise stated. 23 I have developed a sense of my heritage and identity as a British, European or global citizen and can present arguments about the importance of respecting the heritage and identity of others [SOC 4-02a] I can present an informed view on how the expansion of power and influence of countries or organisations may impact on the cultures, attitudes and experiences of those involved [SOC 4-19a]