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Musical Canon Analysis

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The emergence of the musical canon in the 19th century created a Gordian Knot for composers at the time. Composers were expected to proclaim a distinctive personal style while also creating music that was like that of the traditional masters (Lecture, 2/1). This expectation conservatism while simultaneously being distinctive can about as a result of the "musical museum" or the musical canon, a list of works that are considered to be permanently established as being the highest quality (Lecture, 1/30). The emergence of the musical cannon was supported by the rise concert culture which led to a priority shift in concerts and the creation of music. Furthermore, the canon created a set of rigid boundaries to be followed by aspiring composers resulting …show more content…

John Cage's reaction to the existence of the traditional canon of musical masterworks was the creation of a musical score that made people question what it means to make music and what music is. In Cage's piece "4:33" he created a musical score that was three movements of tacets which illustrated the blurred line between art and life (Lecture 2/1). Besides going against all of the boundaries that the traditional canon has, this piece also shows how audience members coughing, shifting in their seats, and breathing are the sounds of life, and that in itself, is music (Cage 46). Cage believed that "masterpieces [were] the opposite of life" and that the musical museum was doing the same thing that a refrigerator does to milk, preserving its liveliness so much, that it is no longer alive (Cage 44-46). Similarly, Copeland also critiqued the traditional canon but through making his music relevant to the time. Copeland's symphony "Fanfare for the Common Man" (1942) reflected the europhic spirit of the country at the time as the US entered World War II (Lecture, 2/1). Through this symphony, Copeland changed the sound of the traditional symphony, a genre that at the time was largely dominated by German musicians and made it sound American (Lecture, 2/1). The point that Copeland wanted to make was that music should have a message and should reflect what is going on at the time. Overall, both of these composers were making the point that music needs to be relevant to the time in which it is being produced instead of sticking with what is traditional and repeating the same message over and over

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Copland was determined to compose music that epitomized the American feeling, as well as music that was accessible to the general public. When World War II broke out, Copland was busy composing music that would help to shape America in the decades to come. However, I WWII may have changed the way he composed songs for public consumption. Copland composed songs with a specific American style that was noted by the use of folk melodies and use of more simplified harmonics. He wanted everyone to be able to enjoy music, not just the musicians, so he composed his music in order to cater to the people who may not have had much musical experience.

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831 Words | 4 Pages

Composers have the ability to influence how we the audience views and responds to characters and issues. Through viewing and analysing ‘The Shoe Horn Sonata’ by John Misto and ‘Saving Private Ryan’ directed by Steven Spielberg, it is obvious that composers have the ability to impact and influence our views on characters and issues that occur. Shoe Horn Sonata and Saving Private Ryan were set in the same context of World War 2. John Misto’s Shoe Horn Sonata takes place during the war against Japan, the play focus on the lives of two women Bridie and Sheila who have been captured by the Japanese to become (POW) prisoners of war. John Misto’s play was based on real accounts from POWs, the play was to commemorate the female POWS who story was unheard of and to give an insight to the audience into what the POWs had to endure while under the japanese rule.

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1103 Words | 5 Pages

This article will provide insight as to who William Grant Still was and what he did to illuminate his brilliance, and why he deserves to have his name forever etched in music’s history. Very few composers back in Still’s prime have been able to concoct memorable musical works of art. Although many have tried, few etched their name in music’s timeline. Listening to one of his pieces titled “Suite for Violin and Piano, Mvt. III” it becomes audibly evident of how jazz came to be what it is now. Still cut a path to new heights when it came to jazz.

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769 Words | 4 Pages

When he had the most successful Afro-American symphony by richest philharmonic. It’s been only performed by 38 orchestras in the U.S. and Europe. He to los Angeles for a writing job, before he know it he was performing a major opera company. Troubled island, when still gives an African American character to the symphony by using a tenor banjo as part of the orchestra. The elements that recall spirituals and jazz tunes.

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1874 Words | 8 Pages

Copland’s style of classical music can be best understood by analyzing “Fanfare for the Common Man,” one of his most well-known pieces. The song has a very interesting feel to it. It starts out with deep drum noises and a section of trumpets creating a buildup and give off the vibe of old-time war movies and motivation for military might to defend one’s home. The initial feeling that I got from the song was that it was telling the listener to rise and stand strong. It goes from loud and booming throughout most of the song down to a section of trumpets that seem to signify great accomplishment.

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1003 Words | 5 Pages

Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen: A Case Study The evolution of music can be viewed as a linear timeline of key, innovative composers who have far-reaching influences upon the musical continuum and perhaps epitomises the societal views which are relevant to their time period through their canonical pieces. As a result, in order to conduct a case study into any piece of music one must first realise said piece in regards to the concurrent political climate. Between 1642 and 1651 England was characterised by turmoil through civil war, which was essentially caused over the conduct of British government. This war was between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists, with the Parliamentarians being the victor.

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1782 Words | 8 Pages

Music was no longer only for wealthy merchants, but was now open to the public. Composers noticed the opportunity and wrote music that would appeal to wider audiences including people of lower status. A pop star of his time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the most inspirational figures of the Enlightenment era. Mozart wrote music that spoke to the masses and empowered the individual. When Mozart was only three he began to look at chords on a harpsichord.

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781 Words | 4 Pages

that “The coming into being of the notion of the ‘author’ constitutes the privileged moment of individualization in the history of ideas (157). Appropriation of a work then, may perhaps be rooted in a system of property that allows an impossible notion of authorship to exist. This notion is impossible because an idea, any idea, is not original or owned. If the “newness” of music is based on influence from the past, influence that constantly enters our thoughts through the radio, music we hear at social events, etc, how are we to craft anything

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684 Words | 3 Pages

When was the idea of music appreciated? Was it in 325 when the spread of Christianity spurred the development of European music? Maybe in 1430 when the Renaissance period began and the rebirth of both Greek and Roman classic styles harmonized as one melody? Perhaps it was in 1600, the Baroque period that had highly strict musical forms for ornamental works? Many believe that the birth of the deaf German composer, Ludwig van Beethoven was the major musical figure that led us to one of the greatest periods of music between the Classical and Romance eras, the Viennese Classic.

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1090 Words | 5 Pages

Mozart’s brilliance and inspiration was vivaciously reawakened in the Classical pieces of his musical successors, attesting his influence on society. By way of explanation, his legacy continued for centuries after his demise and it still persists to exist. The Classical Era, which lasted from 1730 to roughly 1820 became a prime time period as a result of Mozart’s preeminence. In due course, although modern music is dissimilar from the style he wrote, Mozart’s the inspiration behind each note. The impactful footprint he left still remains, even to the present day.

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1083 Words | 5 Pages

The stylistic diversity in the works from Claude Debussy to Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky were a continuation and intensification of the diversity found within the 20th century. Also, during this time there was a sudden emergence of technology used for making recording and distributing music much easier for the common person. There was no longer only a sacred/secular divide; music was divided into many different genres, ranging from classical to electronic music, where each category had many subcategories. Composers searched for new means of musical expression during this time. For example, John Cage, a leader in experimental music, stated that “all sound is music,” and wrote the song 4:33 where the musicians do not play a single note, but listened to the natural noise, to reflect upon the music that is everywhere.

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1735 Words | 7 Pages

Music Appreciation Essay Music today is something we can easily take for granted. Through class I have learned several important influences in music. The most significant composer in my opinion was Ludwig van Beethoven. I feel his works broadened music and took it to a whole new level.

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923 Words | 4 Pages

The Matrix is a sci-fi action film, it reflected the world in a bad relation between human and robotic. The main character Neo save the world, and fight with robot. The Matrix is a personal heroism Hollywood movie, it showed the unique characteristics of the music and a good interpretation of the film. The film soundtrack penetrated the suspense style incisively and vividly, especially network technology, the variety of electronic music, advanced film characters’ style which all are quite fit, sometimes people cannot figure the true or false, the actual situation and network is often closely interwoven. The fierce industrial metal music makes people to be feared, under the rule of the brutal machinery world, while those filled with death of

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1458 Words | 6 Pages

Introduction Roger’s and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is arguably one of the most well known films that many can admit to watching at least once in their lifetime. People all around the world have found this musical inspiring, as it documents growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II. This incredibly well written film is based on the story of the Von Trapp family who escaped Austria when the Nazis invaded it during the war. Part of what made this movie so interesting on so many different accounts was the music that accompanied the vivid and exciting scenes. Without music, many could agree that our world would be a sad, quiet, dull and depressing place.

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1614 Words | 7 Pages

Development of music history from Medieval period to Baroque Period Music exists in every known cultural group of the world and it is likely to have existed among the ancient ancestral communities. Music may have started in Africa, having existed for at least 55,000 years before evolving into an essential constituent of human life. Different people have different perspectives towards music. For instance, some may take music as jazz set, an orchestral symphony, an electronic beat or even a simple thing as the chirping of birds. Music has both positive and negative effect on humans and it depends on how it is applied.

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