Different Musical Eras - Essay Example

Musical Eras Introduction Music has changed much through the ages. Although music was a part of about every culture around the world this paper will focus on music predominantly found in Europe. Three eras will be explored and there will be a special emphasize on religious music through the chosen time periods. Time periods are approximate as different sources give different dates. Probably the most important invention in the world of music was the phonograph by Thomas Edison in 1877. His invention brought high quality music into homes where prior to the invention one would need to visit a music hall or concert hall to listen in person to the orchestra as it plays the music. 2. Medieval Music (500-1400) a. Chants – The earliest commonly known music was most probably medieval chants. This type of music was found in Jewish and early Christian music and consisted of chanting or singing the Psalms. Chants were developed to regionally to follow local liturgies. Monks often were responsible for singing the chants. One early Monk made a big impression on medieval music. Guido d’Arrezo, an Italian Monk, created the original Do, Re, Me, using his hand (Neff, 2007). The Guidonian Hand was a chart that put notes on the right hand. This easy to learn chart was a system to help people learn the notes. His original Do, Re, Me sounded much like the song Julie Andrews sang in the 1959 musical “The Sound Of Music” (Neff, 2007). During his lifetime d’Arrezo trained singers at a local cathedral. The Roman Catholic Church made good use of chants using them in their daily and special masses. Most European or American educated individuals are familiar with Gregorian Chants that were very much a part of the early Catholic Church literagy. b. Goliards – Goliards are best described as poet-musicians. These musicians were made up of scholars who sang and recited poetry in Latin. It is believed they played a big part in the development of the Troubadours. Some Goliards were secular and some were religious. Because they were scholars and literate they were able to write songs down. c. Troubadours – Troubadours were musicians and poets much as the Goliards were. It is believed that Troubadours were a continuation of the Goliards as they performed many of the same functions as singers and literate scholars. Many Troubadours could play musical instruments (Hart, 2001), sing, and recite poetry. Troubadours were not functionaries of the churches and their songs focused on secular topics such as war or love. 3. Romanticism (1810-1910) a. Rapid Evolution of Music – By the time of Romanticism music had evolved from the regionally sung music of the middle ages to music played by orchestras and individual musicians. Music still played a big part in the celebration of masses in the Catholic Church. Classical masters of the Classical Period (1750 to 1820) had laid a good foundation for music to continue to develop. Musical notation was a given by this time. There were many really good composers during this timeframe such as Chopin and Bellini. Romanticism’s music has more emotion or feeling in the music. Composers of this time frame were a bit more creative and used folk music as the base of a lot of their compositions. b. Modern Instruments – By the time of Romanticism Instruments started to look and sound much like they do today. Many flutes were still made of wood and played much like a modern recorder. During this timeframe composers and musician began to specialize in a particular instrument or composition style. For example, Chopin exclusively played the piano but wrote for piano, cello and other instruments. Orchestras became larger and contained a good variety of instruments to play the more and more complicated compositions that composers of this period wrote. It was during this timeframe that composers wrote actual ‘parts’ for different instruments. Wind instruments were often written parts such as playing birds or solos that would have been previously sung. Much music from this period is still used in television and movies today. c. Chopin (1810-1849) -Frederic Chopin was a great composer and musician of this period. He was a child prodigy that began playing the piano four years old. By the time he was seven he had written his first composition. His first performance was given at eight years old. Chopin was born in Poland of a French Father and Polish mother. His older sister and then his mother taught Chopin to play the piano. He studied harmony and counterpoint at Warsaw University (Funk&Wagnalls, n.d.). In 1930 Chopin left Poland for Vienna and then Paris. While in Paris Chopin continued to play piano and compose. His background is important because it explains his musical style an composition. Chopin wrote Mazurkas which are compositions that were influenced by Polish folk music. Mazurkas are much like polkas that have a heavily accented beat. This type of music was written for dancers and the Ballet. They are written in ¾ or 3/8 time. 4. Modern Music (1910-2000) – Music of this period incorporates musical traditions and instruments from around the world. This period has been heavily influenced by technology which has made creating music interesting. Recording studios can record music at different times and combine them into one composition. For example, instrumental music can be recorded first followed later by a singer. Although both were recorded separately technology can marry the two together into one performance. Modern music has expanded greatly to include musical specialization. Classical music continues to develop but has been joined by rap, gospel, pop, jazz, country, etc… Religious music has developed and mirrored the changes that have occurred in types and styles of music. Hymns are still popularly used but many churches now have organs, pianos, or even bands to accompany choirs. a. Britten – (1913-1976) Benjamin Britten is a modern composer who used folk melodies and new harmonies in his compositions. He is most famous for his compositions War Requiem and A Mid Summer Night’s Dream. War Requiem was written in remembrance of four friends that died in the Second World War. It was played at the reconsecration of Coventry Cathedral. The composition has the Latin Mass For he Dead interspersed in it. b. Aaron Copland (1900 – 1990) – This composer also combined uniquely Americanisms with classical music. In his composition Hoe Down From Rodeo Copland borrowed typical sounds from the American west. One might expect a cowboy on horse back to come galloping when listening to this composition. c. William Grant Still (1895-1978) – This African American composer borrowed from his heritage to create unique compositions. His composition Afro-American Symphony incorporates the American born banjo. He wrote for ballets, symphonies, and chamber orchestra. He also wrote negro spirituals. 5. Conclusion In medieval times music played an important role in the lives people. The first recorded music was the chants that were used in religious services. During medieval times literacy was low with priests probably being the only literate person in his parish or area. Some Psalms were memorized and ‘chanted’ by congregants. Chanting was common in the early Catholic Church and was an integral part of the worship service (Mass). Poet-musicians called Goliards sang and recited poetry in Latin during medieval times. The Goliards are believed to have become the Troubadours who finished out the medieval period. Troubadours were often literate and functioned as singers and orators. During the musical era called Romanticism music had greatly changed and evolved. Music during this period continued to play a big part in churches. Many more people were literate and could learn musical notation. It is during this period of time that music included more feeling or emotion. Many of the instruments of this time period would be recognizable to a modern musician. Frederic Chopin, a child prodigy, was a musician composer of this time and incorporated Polish folk music into his compositions. He was a talented musician who introduced the use of an instrument in a solo performance rather than as a part of an orchestra. Modern music includes many musical styles from the past as well as new styles of composition. Music during this timeframe is still used as a part of church services. Notable composers of this period include Britten, Copland, and Still. References American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. "CHOPIN, Frédéric François." (n.d.). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. 11 December 2007. Hall, G. (2007, November). Shadow Player. Opera News, 72(5), 36-39. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from MasterFILE Academic Premier database. Hart, T. (2001, Winter). THE TROUBADOURS (Book Review). Comparative Literature, 53(1), 88. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from MasterFILE Academic Premier database. The History of Music, Second Edition: Later Romanticism. (2006, October). Library Media Connection, Retrieved December 12, 2007, from MasterFILE Academic Premier database. Lipkis, L. (2003, December 15). Aaron Copland: A Reader: Selected Writings 1923-1972 (Book). Library Journal, 128(20), 120-120. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database. Marcus, K. (2007, Spring). I Dream a World: The Operas of William Grant Still. Journal of African American History, 92(2), 305-307. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database. Neff, D. (2007, Winter). The Original Do, Re, Mi. Christian History & Biography, Retrieved December 12, 2007, from Academic Premier database TALBOT, J. (2007, February). CHOPIN Cello Sonata, Introduction and Polonaise brillante GRIEG Cello Sonata. Strad, 118(1402), 84-84. Retrieved December 12, 2007, from MasterFILE Academic Premier database. Read More