America would completely reshape Jewish identity, and Jewish popular entertainment would take 20th century American popular music on a joy ride. Within the years leading up to 1950, Jewish composers, producers and performers were at the forefront of popular music in the US. However, what role did Judaism play in US popular music from 1950 - 1960? It’s hard to imagine American popular song without the contributions of Jewish composers and lyricists.
The soul of Europe, like your hearts, gleams with happiness When remembering the great Napoleonic era And you, my soldiers, my people! Do you recall your Emperor? Le grand peuple français!
(3) A noticeable cut in Casablanca is when the music is playing Ilsa and Rick’s song and Rick begins to have a flash back. It is clear from earlier scenes that this song means a lot to both of them and invokes
The instruments and musical style used in the film were modern not a particular historical period in the movie. The background music Burning Homestead and Binary Sunset emphasize the intensity of the occurrence actions throughout the film. The Binary Sunset scene prompt a gloomy mood. As in the scene Luke
Casablanca, an American romantic comedy made in 1942, chronicles the decision of a man exercising his love for a woman by helping her and her husband escape Casablanca. The film features Rick, claiming to be neutral in every situation, and his encounter with one whom he once loved, Ilsa. Given the nature of Casablanca, Rick has to be careful with the “letters of transit” which hold the power to accommodate the refugees who yearn to reach the still-neutral United States. Through the course of the film, Rick, as well as other characters, must reluctantly succumb to sacrifice while attempting to evade the lies and deceit that are present in Casablanca.
The opening movie premiere scene of 1952’s Singin’ In The Rain is set in 1927 Hollywood, California, with the now iconic Gene Kelly as star actor Don Lockwood and Jean Hagen as star actress Lina Lamont setting the stage for the quintessential musical motion picture. Stylistically it’s difficult to not discuss a little bit of Mise en scène, Cinematography, Editing, and Sound for such a grandiose film. For my essay, I’ll focus specifically on the use and importance of sound since it’s a crucial plot device for the story.
In Martin Espada’s poem, “Alabanza: In Praise of Local 100”, he shifts his depiction of the radio and music from a reminder of their home and culture to give them joy in peace while in a time of remembrance. “Praise the busboy’s music, the chime-chime of his dishes in the silverware tub. The Local One Hundred was a local organization in New York and many members' lives were lost in the attacks on 9/11. A substantial number of people were immigrants. In culture, people are often reminded of the memories and good times that they have in their hearts, so music stands for their drive in determination to have a better life or help their family have a better life and the music reminds them of this.
Jazz in the Third Reich was seen as an especially degenerate art form. Firstly, the German government saw the genre as both a Jewish and Black invention. This contended with the social hierarchy within the Nazi regime. People who were Jewish or of Jewish descent were seen as less human than the ‘pure, Aryan race’ of the German people, and anyone who was not white was seen as sub-human - lower than Jews in the Nazi’s social hierarchy. This social view is best represented in the picture below.
In the movie Casablanca directed by Michael Curtiz, the theme of this mysterious/ romantic is self-sacrifice and unhappy love. These themes are best expressed in the interactions of the three main characters: Victor Laszlo, Ilsa Lund, and Rick Blaine. A love triangle forms with both men’s mutual love for Ilsa. Unlike the typical romantic love triangle, in the end, the results lead to unhappiness and loss for all of them.
Among the most renowned gangster movies of its time, Scarface is a thrilling depiction of the organized crime which occurred in Chicago during the early 1900’s. The incessant and merciless violence exhibited by mobsters in the film does not stray far from the brutality faced worldwide, with multiple scenes having to be removed due to censorship. Despite being an overall 4-star production, the film proves to be difficult to follow at times. Jumping between action-packed scenes, some central plot points are obscured by the pacing, and only the generally violent outcome is seen. As far as the score goes, the most noteworthy melody is without a doubt the tune Tony whistles throughout the film.
Through history, people are always finding new ways to express their feeling through different media. From Shakespear's time where theatre play a major role in expression love and innocence to twentith century where Shostakovich uses music to express his rebellion towards the Soviet Union. Artist are constantly searching for new ways that allows them to express their freedom in showing feeling. During the Sixteen Century, major great composers rises and during this particualr period, many artists try to express their idelogy of love through music. One of the most important from this period is the Franco-Flemish composer, Jacques Arcadelt.
Some have coined music as a universal language. Perhaps, the complexity of the notes, the consistency of the beat, the array of instruments, or the flow of lyricism offers this universal appeal. Nevertheless, the unique composition of each song enables it to sustain its own magnetic aura, much like the musical implication in Lewis Nordans Music of the Swamp. Though, many argue Nordans piece suggests merely a collection of short stories rather than a novel, Nordan uses his singsong methodology- a novel-in-stories- to incorporate an anthology of his transformative memory- an autobiography of the way it was.
In Romania, the main focus is on a dark violin accompanied by lyrics about the dictator of the country and how he ruined everything. The film continues to portray the lives of Rom people using jazz based music to speak to the audience in a way that words could not. When the travelers reach Spain the music evolved entirely. Even though it changed from Indian to Spanish flamenco style, the gypsy spirit is still retained within the music. The parameter of Rom music is extremely difficult to clearly define because of this paradox.
US Army. Web. 19 May 2016. Dobney, Jayson Kerr. "Military Music in American and European Traditions | Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History |
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.
