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GNDU Most Repeated (Important) Quesons
B.A/B.Sc 5th Semester
MUSIC (Instrumental)
Based on 4-Year GNDU Queson Paper Trend (2021–2024)
Must-Prepare Quesons (80–100% Probability)
SECTION–A (Theory & Concepts)
1. Development of Music during Modern Period
Appeared in: 2021 (Q2), 2022 (Q1), 2023 (Q1), 2024 (Q1) Probability for 2025:
(100%) Always repeated — somemes as “origin and
development,” somemes as “historical development,” but always present.
2025 Smart Predicon Table
No.
Queson Topic
Years
Appeared
Probability for 2025
1
Development of Music during Modern
Period
2021–2024
(100%)
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GNDU Most Repeated (Important) Answers
B.A/B.Sc 5th Semester
MUSIC (Instrumental)
Based on 4-Year GNDU Queson Paper Trend (2021–2024)
Must-Prepare Quesons (80–100% Probability)
SECTION–A (Theory & Concepts)
Development of Music during Modern Period
Appeared in: 2021 (Q2), 2022 (Q1), 2023 (Q1), 2024 (Q1) Probability for 2025:
(100%) Always repeated — somemes as “origin and
development,” somemes as “historical development,” but always present.
Ans: The Story of Music in the Modern Period
Imagine you are standing in a grand concert hall, the lights dim, the crowd silent, and
suddenly the orchestra begins to play. But this time, the music doesn’t follow the neat
and balanced melodies of Mozart or the dramatic power of Beethoven. Instead, it’s
something new — unpredictable, full of emotion, sometimes dissonant, sometimes
dreamy. This is modern music — the music of the new age.
The Modern Period of Music roughly spans from the late 19th century to the 20th
century and beyond. It is the era when composers broke the rules of tradition,
experimented with new sounds, and expressed the complexities of a rapidly changing
world.
This period reflects revolutions in society, technology, psychology, and art. The world
was changing — and so was music.
Setting the Stage: The World Was Transforming
Before we dive into the melodies, let’s take a quick glance at the world of that time.
The late 1800s and early 1900s were full of revolutions — industrial, political, and
cultural. Machines began to dominate industries, cities expanded rapidly, and
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communication became faster. Wars shook nations, science changed beliefs, and artists
started to question the old ways of thinking.
In this atmosphere, musicians felt a deep desire to break free from classical boundaries.
They wanted to express real emotions, chaos, confusion, and even silence — everything
that life had become.
Thus, the Modern Period in music was not just about new sounds; it was about freedom.
The Birth of Modern Music
In earlier times — the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods — music followed
certain rules. Harmonies were structured, melodies were smooth, and emotions were
guided carefully.
But as the 19th century ended, composers began to challenge these traditions. They
asked:
“Why must music always sound pleasant?”
“Why can’t we create music that mirrors the disorder of life?”
This question gave rise to modernism in music — a movement that celebrated
innovation, individual expression, and experiment.
1. Impressionism: Painting with Sound
Let’s begin with Impressionism, one of the earliest movements in modern music.
If you’ve ever seen a painting by Claude Monet, you’ll notice that it doesn’t focus on
sharp details but rather on the feeling of light, color, and atmosphere. Musicians applied
the same idea to sound.
The leading figure here was Claude Debussy (1862–1918), a French composer who
believed that music should flow like water and shimmer like light. His works such as
Clair de Lune and Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun were like musical dreams —
delicate, emotional, and full of imagination.
Debussy’s music avoided traditional harmony and rhythm. Instead of telling you what to
feel, he allowed you to experience the mood. This was a new way of listening — more
emotional and personal.
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2. Expressionism: The Sound of the Soul
While Impressionism was about beauty and mood, Expressionism was the opposite —
raw, intense, and sometimes disturbing.
This movement began in Germany and Austria in the early 20th century. The world was
going through wars, violence, and psychological turmoil, and composers wanted to
express the dark side of human emotions — fear, anxiety, and madness.
The key figure of this style was Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951). He created something
revolutionary called the 12-tone technique, where all twelve notes of the musical scale
were treated equally — no note was more important than another. This destroyed the
old system of tonality and opened up a new world of sound.
Schoenberg’s music wasn’t easy to listen to, but it was deeply emotional. It represented
the chaos of the human mind in the modern world.
3. Neoclassicism: Looking Back to Move Forward
After the chaos of Expressionism, some composers wanted to return to order — but
with a modern twist.
Thus emerged Neoclassicism. This style borrowed the structure and balance of Classical
composers like Mozart and Haydn but combined them with modern harmony and
rhythm.
The most famous name here was Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971). His works, especially The
Rite of Spring, shocked audiences with their wild rhythms and unpredictable sounds. In
fact, when it was first performed in Paris in 1913, it caused riots in the concert hall —
people weren’t ready for such revolutionary music!
Yet, Stravinsky’s courage to experiment changed the course of musical history. He
showed that tradition could coexist with innovation.
4. Nationalism: The Voice of a Nation
As countries gained independence and national pride grew, composers began to include
folk tunes, local rhythms, and traditional instruments in their works.
This was the era of musical nationalism. Composers from Eastern Europe, Russia, and
even India started to express their cultural identity through music.
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For example:
• Béla Bartók (Hungary) collected folk songs and blended them into his
compositions.
• Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich (Russia) combined modern harmonies
with Russian traditions.
• In India, modern classical composers began mixing Hindustani and Carnatic
styles with Western techniques, giving rise to a new musical identity.
Nationalism made music more diverse, colorful, and rooted in local culture.
5. The Age of Technology: Electronic and Experimental Music
As the 20th century advanced, technology began to transform music.
The invention of microphones, recording systems, synthesizers, and computers gave
composers tools to create sounds that were once unimaginable.
This was the age of electronic music — the sound of the future.
Composers like Karlheinz Stockhausen and John Cage broke every rule. Cage even
created a famous piece called 4’33”, where the musician sits silently for four minutes
and thirty-three seconds — the “music” is the sound of the environment around you!
It may sound strange, but it questioned what we consider “music.” This era taught us
that music is not just melody — it’s any organized sound that provokes thought or
feeling.
6. Popular Music and Globalization
Parallel to classical modernism, another world of music was blossoming — popular
music.
With radios, records, and later the internet, music became accessible to everyone.
The 20th century gave us genres like:
• Jazz – born in America, blending African rhythms with Western harmonies.
• Blues – expressing the struggles and hopes of the common man.
• Rock and Roll, Pop, and Hip-Hop – each representing different social revolutions
and youth cultures.
Icons like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and later Beyoncé and BTS carried
modern music into homes across the globe.
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This was the time when music became a universal language — crossing borders, mixing
cultures, and reflecting the modern spirit of global connection.
7. Fusion and World Music
As the world grew smaller through communication and travel, musicians started to
blend styles.
Indian ragas mixed with Western jazz, African beats merged with electronic rhythms,
and traditional instruments joined symphony orchestras.
Legends like Pandit Ravi Shankar collaborated with Western artists like George Harrison
of The Beatles, creating a bridge between Eastern and Western sound worlds.
This fusion music reflected a new era — one of cultural harmony and experimentation.
8. Film Music and Multimedia Influence
One of the biggest revolutions in modern music came from cinema.
Film composers like John Williams, Hans Zimmer, A.R. Rahman, and Ennio Morricone
transformed music into an emotional storyteller.
Through films, music reached millions of people who might never attend a concert hall.
It became a powerful tool to express feelings, enhance drama, and create unforgettable
moments.
9. Modern Indian Music
In India, the modern period of music also brought a wave of transformation.
While classical traditions of Hindustani and Carnatic music continued, new forms
emerged through films, television, and digital platforms.
The Indian film industry, especially Bollywood, became a melting pot of classical, folk,
and Western influences.
Composers like R.D. Burman, Ilaiyaraaja, and A.R. Rahman redefined Indian music for
global audiences.
Music education also expanded, blending Western notation with Indian ragas, making it
easier for young musicians to learn and create across traditions.
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10. The Spirit of Modern Music
What makes modern music so fascinating is its freedom.
There are no strict rules anymore — no fixed forms or limits.
A composer can use silence, nature sounds, digital beats, or even street noises to create
art.
Modern music reflects the modern mind — curious, emotional, restless, and innovative.
It teaches us that art is not just about beauty; it’s about expression — of joy, pain,
confusion, love, and everything that makes us human.
11. The Legacy of the Modern Period
Today, we might not realize it, but everything we listen to — from film songs to
electronic dance tracks — is influenced by the innovations of modern composers.
The courage of musicians like Debussy, Stravinsky, and Schoenberg opened doors for
creativity without boundaries.
They showed that music can be anything — a whisper, a scream, a dream, or even
silence.
Modern music turned sound into freedom — and that spirit still guides musicians today.
Conclusion: The Ever-Evolving Symphony
So, the development of music during the Modern Period is not just a chapter in history
— it’s an ongoing story of human imagination.
From Impressionism’s dreamy tones to Expressionism’s intensity, from electronic
experiments to film scores — modern music reflects how the world has changed and
how deeply we feel it.
Every note played today, in any style or language, carries the echo of this era — an era
that taught us that music is infinite, just like human creativity.
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