Erbil, Tuesday (February 17, 2026)
As part of the ongoing academic activities of the College of Fine Arts, a scientific seminar was organized by Assis.Teacher. Rêkar Othman Rashid under the title “The Neoclassicism Movement in Music (Neoclassicism).”
During the seminar ,Assis.Teacher. Rêkar Othman Rashid light on the history and foundations of the Neoclassical movement as one of the most significant artistic trends of the twentieth century. He explained that this movement signifies a “return to classical principles with a new perspective.” It reached its peak between 1920 and 1950, with the primary aim of reconnecting modernism with musical authenticity.
In another part of the seminar, the famous slogan “Back to Bach” was discussed, through which composers sought to distance themselves from the intense emotionalism of the Romantic era and restore clarity and simplicity to melody. The artistic characteristics of this movement were also highlighted, including an emphasis on “absolute music,” reducing the size of the orchestra in favor of chamber ensembles, and increased use of woodwind instruments.
As a prominent example,Assis.Teacher. Rêkar referred to the works of Igor Stravinsky, particularly his composition Pulcinella, which represents a turning point in revisiting the past through a modern stylistic approach. It was emphasized that this movement had a profound impact on reshaping the direction of global musical composition in the twentieth century.
