The Meaning of Music: A Look at the Concept of Authenticity in Music A starting point of looking at the meaning of music is to consider the idea that music has some sort of link between the way it is performed, and those who perform it. This leads to a question of authenticity. Authenticity is a multi-faceted subjective word that can mean different things for different people. Consequently when the term “authentic” is used, I will use it to answer the question of: What does it mean for music to be played authentically? Using “authentic” this way allows me to define it as a mode in which originality functions towards the true meaning of the music 's intent. This definition, as we shall see, does not escape some of the conundrums of musical meaning. In fact, these conundrums might destroy the concept of authenticity as even something that should be talked about in musical theory. In Music, Nicholas Cook claims that musical authenticity is rooted in the subjective way that our thinking about music has meaning for us, as an individual1 Cook 's claim looks at the origins of rock music in the blues, sung and played, by “Black Americans in the deep South.”2 In this frame of view, the music was seen as an authentic expression that came from the soul of the performer.”3 This expressive claim of musical originality sets up a point of contrast with the idea of performances in a tradition of opera 's and concerts, that had been part of the more classical theory of art from
Music should be understood, but not at the expense of the performer creating a “right result” and in turn taking away from the listeners enjoyment of the work being presented.
The results of using the constructs of authenticity to evaluate music are therefore shown to be superfluous due to its foundations built upon opinions. Authenticity does not allow for a overall sound level of analysis as it relies upon a preconceived notion of what is authentic. These preconceived notions were more than likely criticised within their begins, thus leading to an endless evolution of authenticity. The quest for a composition to be utter authentic is an ongoing, impossible feat which will not be accomplished if the authenticity of music is based upon opinions. Therefore, Little Mix's cover of the Cameo song, Word Up demonstrates that ramifications that criticisms of authenticity. This is more clearly evident through analysing the
Richard Taruskin is one of the many American musicologists and historians whose interest is in the theory of music performance. The author of many literary works such as No Ear for Music: The Scary Purity of John Cage is mainly interested in Russian folk literature where he analyzes the historical trends behind every story. The American author is also well-renowned for his famous articles written in The New York Times, for instance, ‘The Danger of Music and other Anti-Utopian Essays’ and others with a strong relation to social, cultural and political issues in the essays. This essay is a response to Taruskin’s No Ear for Music: The Scary Purity of John Cage. The essay will focus on analyzing its critical argument in an attempt to really
In the late nineteenth century, France forged a new path in music and ushered in the practice of musical exoticism. Pieces, such as operas, began to be characterized by their use of exotic elements including: music, makeup, clothing and props. Ralph P. Locke in, Musical Exoticism: Images and Reflections, expanded upon this notion stating that the purpose of musical exoticism was to evoke a place that is perceived as different from one’s home (Locke, p.47). Elaborating from this definition a spectrum of musical exoticism was contrived; with “pure” exoticism, intended to “other” the exotic elements, and transcultural composing, intended to provide a hybrid of musical styles, representing the two extremes on opposing ends (Locke, p.44, 228) . Benjamin Britten in his opera, Death in Venice, uses exotic elements —Gamelan music—in a nontraditional sense that does not adhere stringently to the conditions of “pure” exoticism or transcultural composing. Some pieces, such as Britten’s Death in Venice, blur the lines of distinction between each end of the musical exoticism spectrum and are open to subjective interpretation by the listener. Thus, through analyzing the use of exotic elements and their intended purpose in Britten’s Death in Venice, it is my opinion that the piece falls more in accordance with “pure” exoticism rather than transcultural composing, due to Britten’s use of the exotic elements to effectively “other” the homosexual attraction of opera’s main character.
Analysis of musical quote of legends Introduction Music is one of those unique things that has its own depth as well as emotions The world has seen many great artist and musicians over the years. Two artist, each of them legends in their own era, had two opinion about music. This report critically analysis and evaluate both of the quotations as well as their strength and weaknesses. Analysis of the two quotes
Authenticity can be a debatable measure now in modern music. So many styles of music are emerging from one another that it is debatable it the genre itself it authentic of not.
When anyone listens to music, they need to be aware of their own preconceptions about what constitutes as art. This is even more important when scholars look the artistic expression of another
To understand why music is a product of human intention and perception, we start by defining or understanding the nature of music. Music is defined as the sounds or combination of vocals and instruments in a way that it produces a form of beauty, expression, or harmony of emotions. Arguably, people compose or make music through many ways (Resnicow, Joel E., 20-29). While some people might compose music without incorporating instruments, others use instruments to produce beats that match with their sounds. However, to argue that the
This semester, in comparing works of visual art and opera and particularly between works of the same time period, many parallels emerge. But beyond the scope of individual time periods (e.g.,
“Musical is a universal experience. With few exceptions, all humans perceive musical pitch, tone, timbre, and harmony. We listen to music to relax, to help us think, to celebrate, and grieve. Our emotional responses to music have been noted in literature, poetry, and drama. The power of music to evoke an emotional response is used by advertising companies, film directors, and mothers singing their babies to sleep. Early education teachers are familiar with using music and rhythm as tools for learning language and building memory. (Foran, 2009) Several musical melodies are used in grade school to learn information. Music is used in my math classes across the world to enhance the learning process of formulas. English classes use music help children learn prepositional phrases, adjectives, adverbs, noun, and etc. However, after most scholars reached a certain grade level, using music to achieve new heights academically became a technique of the past. Most instructors didn’t bother using music in order to help retain information. It was almost as if it was forgotten about. But, if music is so important why isn’t it allowed in most classrooms today? Many teachers are not fond of music in the classroom. To many, it is seen as a distraction. Is it the type of music a person chooses to listen to? Would it be different if the music chosen by
Most musicians write their music with intention and purposeful meanings regarding there past, present or future. What makes music so enjoyable is the connection and relation people have with it. Most artist get recognized by advertisement on the radio, television, bill boards etc. Nashville Tennessee, "The Music
and ?literal? performance, the performer?s role becomes negligible; she or he sacrifices, on the altar of authenticity, the inalienable right to a personal breadth of interpretation. The concept of a composition might be the creative result of the composer?s intentions together with the interpreter?s reading and performance, in accordance always with the composer?s vision and the listener?s overall perception of the text as performance. Of course we can never predict with certainty exactly what percentage of the composer?s original intentions will remain after a particular performance and a particular hearing. Kivy identifies the idea of a musical work as a separate entity, different from score or performance, and raises it to a more abstract and complex historical construct. [footnoteRef:26] [26: see Peter Johnson, ?Exploring the Idea of the Two Musics?, Musical Times, August 1997,
Music is so influential in our world today, but it also was during the late fifth century and the early 6th century. One of the famous writers of this time was Boethius and he is best known for one of his works from which we read an excerpt. Despite the time difference, there are many of Boethius’s ideas that correlate with what basic ideas that many people debate today. Some of his topics are how music is a part of us, the kinds of music, and the properties of a true musician.
A patient in acute care has culturally specific music because the family believes it will help the patient. The patient is not cognitively aware and there are other patients in the room. This ethical dilemma questions whether or not the rehab assistant should let the family continue playing the music or to stop since the patient is not cognitively aware and there are other patients in the same room. By asking the family to stop playing the music, conflict may occur as the RA is disrupting their culture healing beliefs. Whereas if they continue to play the music, patients in the same room could become agitated which can create problems between other patients and the family. As the duty of a culturally competent RA, we will try to accommodate the patients needs where everyone is happy with the outcome while maintaining each patient’s autonomy.
Music is defined differently for each individual. It is the universal language that speaks to us all, but in different ways. It is one of the few genres that can instantly transport a person back to the past. Music is also an art of sound which expresses ideas, thoughts, and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, and harmony. It is the design of giving structural form and rhythmic pattern to combinations of sounds produce instrumentally and vocally. To me, music brings a sense of calmness, happiness, and peacefulness. Music is the absolute bread of life because it feeds my soul.