The Purpose of Music - Essay Example

Expository essay on any topic in music Music in general is melodious tunes, either with or without accompanying vocal singing, combined in such a way as to produce beauty of foam, harmony and expression of emotion. Music history dates as back as the origin of man’s civilization and most indigenous tribes are known to have composed certain kinds of music and used different musical instruments. All people enjoy one or a different kind of music and, it is said that even Osama bin Laden must have enjoyed some form of music (Hutchings 78). In modern culture, music is composed in music studios and either played in radio or in music concerts. Among the first western musical performance is the concert by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1785 at Mehlgrube casino in Vienna. Mozart, who was the composer, of this piece of classical music and performed the piano concert as soloist. The music was written in the key of D minor (Einstein 145). Seiji Ozawa is a Japanese conductor, particularly noted for his interpretations of large-scale late Romantic works. He is most known for his work as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Vienna State Opera. Ozawa has been an advocate of 20th century classical music for over a decade (Kennedy 200). ‘For the Roses’ is the 5th studio album by Joni Mitchell released in November 1972. In 2007 it was one of 25 recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry. It is best known for the hit single ‘You turn me on- I am a radio’ which Joni wrote sarcastically out of a record company request for a radio friendly song (Boroweiki and O’Hanan 319). Music Genres Music genre is a convectional category that identifies pieces of music as belonging to a shared tradition or set of conventions. Due to the artistic nature of music, these classifications are often complained to be arbitrary and controversial. Music genres are diverse and at times sound distinct. For example, comparing classical music to rock music (Richard 89). I aim to expound on classical music. Classical music is understood to be music rooted in Western European traditions performed by trained musicians in formal settings like concert halls, opera houses, and churches. When we hear of classical music, the image that forms in our minds is that of a large number of people with violins, an orchestra, performing in front of an audience. Classical music is the art music of the Western world. If popular music is written just to entertain, classical music is written to express something significant or great. Classical musics roots lay in the chant melodies of medieval religious rites. Classical music trends include trends of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras in their sound worlds and conception. Popular classical music artists include Yo-Yo Ma, Glenn Gould, Philip Glass, and John Adams. Classical music may also include avant-garde music( Hutchings 99). Avant-Garde is taken from the French for "vanguard," which is the part of the armed forces that always stands at the front of the rest of the army. In the case of music the avant-garde are individuals who take music on divergent paths. Popular avant-garde songs include ‘Kissinger in space’ by John Ettinger. Popular avant-garde artists include John Zorn, and Steve Reich (Lipman 258). Sound of classical music Classical music has unique distinct sound which may at times be accompanied by vocal singing. Only music instruments like the piano, flute, trumpet, percussions and violin are used in classical music. Classical music is usually performed by orchestras with a conductor guiding the music play. Classical music follows long established principles rather than folk, jazz or popular tradition. Classical music forms include; symphony, sonata, opera, suite, and chamber music. Symphony includes a large scale work for full orchestra. It usually four movements or sections often alternating fast-slow. Symphony composers include; Haydn, Mozart and Schumbert. Concerto is also a large scale work for a full orchestra but with the addition of a soloist. Most commonly this is a piano, violin or cello. The interplay between the orchestra and the soloist is the distinguishing feature of the concerto. Great concertos include; Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius. Meaning of classical music. Classical music is written to express an idea, explore a theme or let loose an emotion. Most importantly, it aims to transfer that idea or theme or emtion to the listener and make them think. Just like picture art that may at times potray sad themes, classical music can be dark or dissonant or difficult. History of classical music Before 1400 – Medieval music was characterized by the significant use of chant. This was later harmonized with 4ths, 5ths and octaves. 1750 – 1820 signified the birth of classical music. In early classical music for example, during times of Mozart and Beethoven, it can be said that only the wealthy had the time and resources to be exposed to classical music. The general population were made to do with bands and songs which formed the popular music of their time. It is unfortunate that this elite division persists today. Classical music is music for everybody. The 1820- 1900 saw the emergence of the romantic characterized by restless seeking and impulsive reaction. In this period, the moderate length of the classical symphony was hugely extended. Romanticism cherishes freedom of expression, movement, passion, and endless pursuit of the unattainable (fantasy and imagination). Beyond 1900, classical music took full advantage of new technologies as they became available. Not restricted to rules of classical period, composers had stylistic freedom to write however they liked. Composer The composer in classical music is the person who writes classical music. Classical music has always been written down in musical notations creating a musical part.The written music contains technical instructions on how to perform the music. Composers collaborate with musicians and make changes based on their input. Renowed composers of classical music include; Ludwing Van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert. Sebastian Bach wrote universal masterpieces in every genre, including the 6 finest concerti grossi ever written, nicknamed the Brandenburg Concerti (Lipman 395). Wolfgang Mozart is is said to be the supreme composer of melody and lyrical quality in musical history (Lipman 503). Cultural background of classical music Cultural music includes Gregorian chant from thousand of years ago to the recent music of Philip Glass. This monopolic chants was dominant in medieval periods. Throughout history, parents made sure their children receive classical music training from an early age Social class. Classical music has always been seen as the elite kind of music. However, recently this image is changing and people from different backgrounds are embracing classical music. Classical music forms the background music for TV programmes, movies, advertisements and events. "Nessun dorma" from Giacomo Puccinis opera Turandot for example, was the theme tune for the 1990 FIFA World Cup ( Boroweiki and O’Hanan 2012). In conclusion, it is observed that classical music is deep and with a rich history. Classical music has a fanitisation about it. It aims to infect the audience the emotions that the composer wishes to convey. Although classical music has today been viewed as having only middle aged audience, a younger population is finding fanitisation in classical music. Although still, most youth population opt for the bar party music. Performance of classical music is moving from the convectional live performances and today, it is common to find someone listening to recorded classical music. Work Cited Hutchings, A. A Companion to Mozarts Piano Concertos, Oxford University Press. Alfred Einstein, Mozart, His Character, His Work, Chapter 10, "Mozarts Choice Of Keys" New York: Oxford University Press 1945 Lipman, Samuel, The House of Music: Art in an Era of Institutions, published by D.R. Godine, 1984. ISBN 0-87923-501-2 Karol Jan Borowiecki and John OHagan (2012). "Historical Patterns Based on Automatically Extracted Data: the Case of Classical Composers". Historical Social Research (Section Cliometrics), 2012, 37(2): 298–314. Retrieved 2012-10-13. Michael Kennedy(Oxford, 2007), "Classical", The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Music, ed., Oxford Reference Online. Retrieved July 23, 2007. Read More