MUSIC+APPRECIATION

Music is more than the passing of sound in time.  It is a vital part of the human experience, providing accompaniments to religious ceremonies and secular celebrations, as well as entertaining and offering emotional release on levels that are often beyond our ability to describe or measure.  The musical artform is found to exist in all cultures and societies throughout ancient and modern history, and has become a major influential factor in our global society today.  Music communicates in ways that the spoken word cannot and is considered to be the universal language by people around the world.
 * PRELUDE**

A significant type of music of this era was [|Gregorian chant]**,** a sacred, monophonic music set to a Latin text, conveying a calm, otherworldly quality. This type of music was named after [|Pope Gregory the Great] who wrote little, if any, of these pieces; instead, he merely organized the chants that were to be sung on certain days of the liturgical year. This type of music is like no other - it has a timeless, otherworldly quality and was designed to encourage pious reflection. media type="file" key="64_64_64_Track_64.mp3" Alleluia: Vidimus Stellam
 * MUSIC OF THE MIDDLE AGES**

The [|Renaissance] was a time when artists strove to establish more relevance in the works they created.  Using the ancient Greek and Roman cultures as models for this new movement, a spotlight on people and nature increased as the authoritative power of the church declined. Renaissance artists preferred creating works reflecting realism instead of symbolism, and musicians began to find new employment opportunities as teachers, composers, performers, and music printers.  Music techniques such as [|homophony] and imitative [|polyphony] emerged, and a greater emphasis on chordal qualities surfaced as polyphonic textures became more complex. As the artistic developments of the Renaissance evolved, new innovations brought new character and color to music composition.  One such place where artistic innovations began to bridge the techniques of the Renaissance with those of the Baroque was the [|Venetian School] at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">It was here that a center of art, architecture, instrumental and vocal music was established, leading Europe to a new age of artistic development. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;">
 * MUSIC OF THE RENAISSANCE**

<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Music of the [|Baroque Period] was marked by pomp and splendor, movement and drama. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Centered in areas such as Italy, France, Germany and England, the spirit of the music was innovative and grand, reflecting the scientific and philosophical contributions of Galileo, Newton, Descartes, and Rembrandt. The Baroque Period was an era that saw significant achievements in instrumental as well as vocal composition and performance. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Vast improvements were made in the construction of wind, brass and string instruments, and the harpsichord and organ became the principal keyboard instruments of the age. One significant aspect of the Baroque style was the use of the [|basso continuo], an instrumental accompaniment played by two instruments (usually a keyboard and a low melodic instrument like a cello or bassoon). <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">The continuo was usually performed by reading a [|figured bass], a shorthand system of notation outlining chords played above a bass line. media type="file" key="Bach Brandenburg Concerto 2 (3rd movement).mp3" J. S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto #2, 3rd Movement
 * MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE**

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Music during the [|Classical Period] was generally pleasant and tuneful, embracing qualities that were light, airy and elegant. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">The music was composed with less polyphonic textures (two or more melodic lines) and more homophonic applications (melody with accompaniment). <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">In addition, the Classical Period abandoned the use of the basso continuo which served as the rhythmic and harmonic structure of music composition during the Baroque Era. The Classical Period was clearly an age when instrumental music flourished. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Gone were the days of opulent ornamentation and emotional expression as the basso continuo and figured bass of the Baroque Era vanished. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Standardized families of instruments in orchestras were established, and the [|pianoforte] (piano) replaced the harpsichord as the instrument of choice for solo and chamber ensemble composition and performance.
 * MUSIC OF THE CLASSICAL ERA**

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Just as the word 'classic' brings to mind a revival of ancient art forms, Romanticism implies fantasy, spontaneity, and sensitivity. The Classical Period was oriented towards structural clarity and emotional restraint. Many composers followed [|Beethoven's] model and looked for their own balance between emotional intensity and classical form. Romantic composers, however, expanded passionate expression in musical composition by experimenting with extended chromaticism and colors of sound. The [|Romantic Era] grew out of the social and political upheavals defined by the French Revolution. The newly emerging society emphasized a break from the traditional bonds of servitude to highlighting the importance of the individual as never before. A sense of personal uniqueness was intensified - people began to see themselves as individuals apart from all others. As Jean Jacques Rousseau stated: "I am different from all the men I have seen . . . If I am not better, at least I am different."
 * MUSIC OF THE ROMANTIC ERA**

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">During the first two decades of the 20th century, New Orleans became a melting pot of musical styles. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The up-tempo and syncopated rhythms of [|Ragtime] was popular, and it had a profound influence on the development of various [|jazz] genres. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Early jazz is often known as Hot Jazz or [|Dixieland] music, incorporating the fast and spirited nature of Ragtime while integrating the use of other instruments including trumpets, trombones, drums, saxophones, clarinets, banjos, etc. There was also a growing emphasis on [|improvisation] instead of written arrangements that was common practice with the classical approach to music composition. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msoansilanguage: EN-US; msofareastlanguage: EN-US; msobidilanguage: AR-SA;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Hot jazz groups began touring the country in vaudeville acts and developed followings in cities such as Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Kansas City. As jazz became more popular, greater acceptance was given to other genres including the musical evolution that eventually lead to the era of [|swing music] and many other jazz forms.
 * JAZZ**

<span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">It is essential to acknowledge that basic elements of music exist in countless cultures separated by vast geographical and historical distances. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">The use of drums and the importance of a percussive foundation are clearly evident in the music of African cultures and the music of Native Americans. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Elements of improvisation are used freely in the music of Africa, India, and the Middle East, and singing appears to be a universally practiced form of musical expression worldwide. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">The widespread nature of music as a human activity is noteworthy, and although a great deal of our musical heritage has been lost through the ravages of time, the music performed and created today will be preserved through modern recording methods and a highly developed notational system. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-spacerun: yes; msospacerun: yes;">
 * NONWESTERN MUSIC**