Musicology Annotation << Back Modern Style and Music: Style Phenomenon (a Research Based on Austrian and German Opera in the Early 20th Century) Degtyareva N.I. This article is based on material of Austrian and German operas of the early 20th century; it observes manifestations of modern style in music, art and literature and their relations influenced by the leading idea of style – ornamentality, that comes from background to “the centre of artistic attention” (A. Losev). The article demonstrates the role that principles of symmetry and ostinato play in a structure and expansion of a musical fabric and emphasizes decorative-ornamental tendencies in musical dramaturgy and form. Keywords: modern style, Austrian and German opera, ornamentality, figurative musical material, relief and background, ostinato. E-mail: natad-49@mail.ru