The Dialectics of "Retro and Innovation" in 20th-Century "Neoclassical" Music
Chen Bingqi

School of Music Education, Guangxi Arts University，Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region，530022；

Abstract: 20th-century neoclassical music is a key genre during the transition period of modern music.Based on traditional musical elements,it has achieved creative transformation in the context of modernity.From a professional technical perspective,this paper clarifies the conceptual boundaries and rising motivations of the genre,analyzes its retro practices in polyphonic techniques,formal aesthetics,and material application,as well as its innovative breakthroughs in harmonic language,rhythmic system,and orchestration thinking.Furthermore,it interprets the dialectical relationship between retro and innovation that mutually support and dynamically balance each other.Research shows that the retro of neoclassical music is the reconstruction rather than reproduction of tradition,and innovation is the expansion rather than separation from tradition.The dialectical unity of the two constitutes its stylistic core and provides an important paradigm for the inheritance and development of musical art.

Keywords: Neoclassical music;Retro dimension;Innovation path;Dialectical relationship;20th-century music history

References

[1] Shao, Y. (2025). The Blend of Classical and Romantic Music: An Analysis of Schubert and His Piano Work Wanderer Fantasy. Shen Hua, (19), 96-98.

[2] Wang, Z. J. (2025). The Performance Style of Piano Music in the Viennese Classical Period. Art Panorama, (17), 109-111.

[3] Wang, S. Y. (2025). The Perfect Integration of Classicism and Romanticism: An Analysis of Brahms' Musical Style. Comedy World (Second Half Monthly), (04), 121-123.

[4] Huang, Q. Q. (2025). Neoclassicism, Romanticization and Ideological Emancipation: The Foundation of Mendelssohn's "Musical Concept". Art of Music (Journal of Shanghai Conservatory of Music), (02), 165-178.

[5] Zhang, J. L. (2025). The Influence of Literature on Music Creation: Taking the Period from Classicism to Romanticism as an Example. Peony, (02), 67-69.

[6] Deng, J. C. (2024). A Study on the Performance Style of Piano Music in the Viennese Classical Period. Writer's World, (26), 109-111.

[7] Guan, Z. H. (2024). An Exploration of the Performance Style of Piano Music in the Viennese Classical Period. Contemporary Music, (04), 90-92.