Yusuke Sato
Professor Dana
ILAC Pathway 3
25 September 2015 Classical music and Jazz
What people come up with when they hear the words “classical music” is a big concert hall, while what people come up with is a small bar or something when they hear “jazz”. It seems they are different as they are named differently, but are they really different? Also, given that the mainstream in the music industry is popular music, both classical music and jazz are not appreciated by many people, but how have these two music survived up until today?
Firstly, it is necessary to look back into their histories in order to understand how they have developed. Classical music dates back more than one thousand years ago, which is called Medieval era and was succeeded by Renaissance era. And then when it entered Baroque era, where the father of music Johann Sebastian Bach thrived, there were the forms of classical music that are similar to something which is often heard today. However, in these old eras, classical music was a liturgical music. It was played mostly in a church. Also, it was favored by royals or aristocrats. Even Bach was hired by some aristocrats and composed great works for them. When it reached the eighteenth century, although classical music was still ecclesiastical music, classical music became popularized due to concerts and recitals. And then it entered Impressionist era, suggestion and atmosphere came to the foreground as important factors. The word
The Classical period of music has also been called the “Rococo” period. The Classical time period was between the 18th and 19th centuries. Spanning the years of 1750-1820. The transition from the Baroque period to the Classical took the music from polyphonic to homophonic where even though it seems like that would make the music less complex we look at a whole different type of complexity. The music typically contained two different melodies and a contrast in sections. This made the chords in the music much more defined and the tonal part of the music became more defined. The Classical period had a significant influence on several aspects of music. Chamber music had a sonata form. This means it had an exposition, a transition, and a recapitulation. Composition in the Classical time was mainly dominated by eclecticism which made the music more diverse. Concerto was driven at first by the Italians. They started the idea of the solo concerto. Orchestration was mainly developed during this musical time period. This is partly due to some of the most talented musicians that lived during this time. They did a lot of work in making the orchestra mainly string instruments. Some of these being the violin, viola, cello, and the contrabass, just to name a few. All of these things had a great influence in the way the music made the transition from the Baroque period to the Classical period.
2. What defines a music as "classical" as opposed to "folk" in the European context? How
It is said that American music is Jazz. My studies revealed to me that Jazz is an
Music is a common thread and form of expression throughout all cultures. In every country the world over you will find a different style or genre of music with a unique sound. Each original style stems from the different kinds people and their cultures. The music industry has a major influence in our society. As of 2014, America had the world’s largest music market with a retail value of almost 5,000.5 million dollars, and it continues to grow.
Throughout history, music has evolved and branched off into many different categories, each of which have distinct styles and orchestrations; there is classical music that is centuries old and today there is modern contemporary music that is often synthesized or played with electronic instruments. There are also many ways that the two styles can cross over each other; this is seen in popular music and a lot of video game music. Though many people cannot see any similarities between modern and classical music, modern music is really an evolution of classical music; the roots of modern music go back to classical era.
“Jazz music came to seem not merely an annoyance but a threat,” (“Roaring Twenties”). The 1920’s was when Jazz became a hit: it was being played in roadhouses, dance halls and places all over the country. It’s a very fast paced sound that was different than what people had heard of before. Louis Armstrong was a very well-known jazz musician during this time. He played the trumpet and was a very good jazz musician. He was in many bands, played in Broadway and traveled playing jazz for people (Wenning).
Have you ever appreciate a really nice sound in your life? This is something funny for me because I love the Jazz music and when I have the opportunity to make my concert review, I thought that the best opinion that I can give you is about the jazz music. I was checking around because I did not have the opportunity to see an event of jazz music here in Reno so I checked in YouTube and I choose one of the most incredible concerts that I have never seen in my life. The international Jazz Day. One of the most important days that many people are joining around the world and they are sharing their experiences and their passion for the music. People do not discriminate that day, people do not see the music as before, people are one and they are sharing together one of the best nights that they will not forget in their life. This day is the International Jazz day and there is no problem because the jazz is spontaneous and share the most beauty thing with you.
Our heart and souls at all times sense rejuvenated and lively with every beat of finest music we hear. Music comes in a variety of diverse forms which are admired and renowned for their own unique styles. Classical music is one of the breeds of musical forms that exist since many years with its visible significance in the music industry. Classical music is a part of our globe from almost 1000 years and inspires millions of people with its liveliness and simplicity.
In the 1920s, jazz music started to gain popularity in America. Taking place during the Harlem Renaissance, jazz music helped define this time and the 1920s as the “jazz age”. The new upbeat and exuberant style of music attracted many young people looking for change. Jazz broke the customary rules of classical music and allowed musicians to improvise. Famous artists like Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong took the country by storm with their talent. Soon speakeasies around cities began hosting jazz artists and everyone flocked to these venues for a night of entertainment (Luca). Americans in nearly every part of the country could listen to jazz either on the radio or at clubs (O’Neal). Jazz music developed into an enjoyable and trendy art form. Even though jazz was well liked, some people in America did not care for it. Racism influenced people to disapprove of jazz because of the “new” distasteful sound it produced, the dangerous life style associated with it, and the African ancestries in which it originated.
We can understand America’s culture through the lens of music. We can identify how it became a major part of American culture and how it still affects us today. Many people ask them self’s today how music became a huge part of American culture and how did it all begin. Where did it originate and who came up with the type of genres that were popular and are still a big hit in today’s music. I know for a fact that a popular and loved genre of music that is still a tremendous impart in our lives today is the famous Jazz music.
Music such as jazz was commonly used mediums where African American musicians sought fame and fortune. Many influential artists took to the stage in clubs such as the Cotton club. Notorious gangster Owney Madden took over as the owner, where he used the club’s popularity as a platform to sell his alcohol in the face of prohibition. It came to be known as a hub for alcohol, drugs, marijuana, and interracial sex. Despite being a white-only establishment, this Harlem nightclub lent itself to some of the greatest African American performers of all time. It was the first time in history in which white and black people had interacted in a non hostile environment. Jazz became the “in” music of the time. The new genre looked at an instrument as a
Before the jazz era erupted, classical music was the common music people listened to. In the early 1900’s many people were religious and enjoyed the classical composers. As Jazz came along, it differed in many ways compared to classical music. Jazz was more upbeat and appealed to more party goers than classical music did. Jazz was generally looked down upon by the religious community due to their “vulgar and ungodly” lyrics and the lifestyle that came with it. Many women and men who enjoyed jazz were stereotyped as rebels against the traditional culture. Along with jazz came with dances such as the charleston and the peabody which were characterized as sexual and provoking. Classical music to jazz music was a huge transition in that time period
Over time there have been many eras of music and many genres. One could say that the Classical music, or the Romantic era has been the most significant in music history. Although those times are very important to the music world, Jazz in the early 20th century is very significant to the history of music in the United States. Next is a little bit of history and what makes Jazz music Jazz.
At this time last year, I would have considered all music before the 20th century to be classical. However, after taking a Dual Credit Music Appreciation course, I realized that “old” music cannot simply be grouped into a single category. There are so many differences that I had no idea existed. Throughout the years, music has changed and evolved, meeting the needs of listeners and performers. Different composers have been catalysts in this change as they have developed new styles and genres. Even though the classical period is directly subsequent of the baroque period, baroque and classical music have countless different qualities and characteristics.
The classical music period extends from 1740 to 1810, which includes the music of Haydn, Mozart, and the first period of Beethoven. The classical period of music combined harmony, melody, rhythm, and orchestration more effectively than earlier periods of music. With the natural evolution of music slowly changing with the culture, the baroque era had ended. That era had left a structure, articulation and periodic phrasing of music which would shape classical music.