To
be honest, when I found out that we would be learning about classical music in
this class, I wasn’t thrilled. Then I figured that I was just judging a book by
its cover. During no time in my life has classical music ever done me wrong,
why should I doubt it and not even give it a chance? So, with that in mind, the
class started the classical unit.
It
didn’t take long for me to realize that although classical music is definitely
more “complicated” than folk music, it is still interesting. Usually when I
think of a song with no lyrics, I ask myself how it could possibly catch my attention,
let alone keep it for an entire song. But listening to the tracks that went
along with the chapter reading, I was surprised to find myself actually
interested in the song. Although there are no lyrics, the music is very
dynamic. There are different instruments, call and answers, crescendo,
decrescendo, and many more ways that the music can be used to entertain the
audience.
After
learning about Versailles, a symbol of the enlightenment, I was interested in
how it relates to the music that came out during this time. Of course, since
then, we have discussed how they are related in class. Some of these include
structure, contrast, vibrancy, groomed/neat, ornamentation, and others. I do agree
with these shared characteristics between one of the greatest palaces and the
beautiful music, but I have thought of something else myself. Maybe this has
already been said in class and I missed it (I did once leave class to search
for one of the hidden bathrooms in Whalen). To me, this is a simple concept but
it fits in well with the unit.
I
have always thought of operas in the way that many others who are not educated
on it do: a bunch of people on stage singing really high notes very loudly. After
watching the video clip of the opera on Friday, I still thought that opera was
a bunch of people on stage singing really high notes very loudly, but I also
felt that it was symbolic of the enlightenment. With some of the ideals of the
enlightenment being about “enlightened” individuals and a strong sense of humanism and new ideals, I felt that the opera
symbolized this in some ways. I thought that because they were singing in strong, loud voices, that this was, in a
way, them boasting about their culture and letting the world know how proud
they were to be philosophes and salon members, feeling like they were making a
difference in this world. If I were any of those women who hosted a salon, or
any man who had opinions about all of these new ideals and theories of society,
heck, I would be singing as loud as I could to show others how I felt about my
culture.
It
is a simple concept and maybe I am digging in too deep into the meanings of the
enlightenment, but when I was watching that video clip on Friday, I felt
connected to the culture, like I was in the audience, listening to the opera
singers boast about our contribution to the world.
Great blog Ellen! I like how you were honest about your perspective on classical music and how it has changed in class. Specifically you mentioned that the songs in our reading form Mozart and Haydn were very engaging though they didn’t have lyrics. I believe that other aspects that make it more appealing and interesting are the use of lyrical motives that are strung together in predictable, but varied phrases such as the parallel interrupted phrase with a cadential idea.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how you mentioned that Classical Music created almost an atmosphere of pride. I believe that the “feel” of classical music is a similar reflection of the times and is “Royals” to our time. In “Royals,” one can feel a distinct pride in being human, poor, oppressed, and simple just as someone in the Classical period would be proud after listening to a Mozart or Haydn Sonata.
I agree, I think that it is cool that your opinion about classical music has changed during class. I like you had the same opinion about opera, and always thought that it was a bit annoying, but now being able to understand some of the conventions that are used in the music give me a greater appreciation. I also liked what Lauren said about the atmosphere of pride that was brought forth by classical music.
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