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stile moderno

music
Also known as: nuove musiche, seconda prattica

Quick Summary

The stile moderno was an innovative musical style that emerged in 17th-century Europe, particularly in Italy. It is characterized by a new theatrical approach to composition, contrasting with the older stile antico. Key features of stile moderno include the use of monody, a declamatory or recitative style of singing that emphasizes the text, and a greater freedom in the treatment of dissonance. This style was a significant turning point in music history, contributing to the development of opera and a broader musical vocabulary. It also saw the gradual replacement of medieval modes with the system of tonality that would dominate Western music for centuries.123

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