Classical Music

Passion and determination are leading forces that can aid in conquering anything. A true appreciation and optimism arises when one can express themselves deep within. The ability to connect what one feels through music is rewarding. Classical music has changed the perspective of an average individual. The genre is very different compared to other genres of music; the music is elegant, expressive, and artistic. This genre of music is intricate, yet passionate and it shows a direct representation of the composer himself. It is a piece that has proved its value overtime. The strong sounds of classical music have made such a tremendous impact on society compared to other types of music. Classical music is rooted all the way from the 11th century to present day today. In the article, “The Rise and Fall of Literacy in Classical Music: An Essay on Musical Notation,” Dahl states the period from 1550 to the 1900 was known as “the Common Practice”. Classical music is largely distinguished from other art forms due to the notation.

The music is measured precisely with pitch speed, meter, rhythm, and exact execution of the piece of music; thus, it leaves less room for practice and more room for individuality. People are able to take music into their own hands. The sky is the limit to whatever he or she chooses to perform. This eliminates items such as improvising and ad labium ornamentations found in other art forms. The term “Classical Music” was not used until the early 19th century to distinguish the period of Johann Sebastian Bach and the era of Beethoven. The earliest form recorded was in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1836 (69-71). Based upon what the composer feels deep within will be the result of a beautiful and meaningful piece of music. In the article “The Sounds of Music” by James Blears, he includes a short biography about Jaime Catan and Catan’s true appreciation of classical music. James Catan once said, “Classical music is such a vast genre and many music lovers are completely without guidance” (Blears, 52).

Catan continues explaining how classical music has everything to do with feeling and what gets you deep into your soul. It is more of a drive and force that people create effortlessly by what they simply feel. If the performer feels excited and happy, the music piece can be uplifting and high-energy. The piece will be a direct representation of what he or she wants to express. He states, “The key to appreciating music is to truly understanding what the composer had in mind when creating it” He really wants everyone to love classical music as much as he does. James Blears states, “His passion (Jaime Catan) for what he is saying shows in the way he gesticulates with his strong, massive hands-hands which, upon touching the piano keys, turn into delicate but powerful instruments.” (Blears, 53). Another thing that James Catan explained was that the composer’s music may not fit within everyone’s taste of music, but that does not mean that the music is bad. For example, he had a difficult time understanding Claude Debussy, Sergei Prokofiev, Beethoven and Bach.

This didn’t stop him from listening to the music-however- he used this to better himself. From ages ten to twenty-five, Jaime Catan practice for eight long hours every single day. He learned many skills such as self- analysis which is the ability to actually listen to what he was playing. The famous composers-listed above-were strong leaders in the music industry who still-to this day- touches everyone who is willing to listen. Furthermore, different types of music can be difficult to understand but if a person is willing to give it a chance, the reward can be worthwhile (Blears, 53-55). In general if a person is willing to give something a chance, anything can happen. On another note, classical music has a wide range of listeners. Detailed research was done on the types of people who attend classical music concerts. Researchers have taken into considerations, age gender, and motive. They have also considered the time, budget, location, and personal interest. Many people who bought tickets were students in college. More girls were interested compared to boys. Also, the ages were predominate from twenty-one to twenty-four.

However, more and more people have become involved in appreciating this genre (Chun-fu, page 366). In the article “the Sound of Music” Catan states, “Some works that you dismiss today might well be your favorites in ten years time. That is the swing of the pendulum, so you learn that you can never really say a final word about a work” (Blears, 53). Classical music represents true music is being thought in public schools. Randall explains and stresses the importance of embracing different types of music. He mentions that there is simplicity about classical music that brings peace to the soul. His goal is to have a greater diversity in music education. He expresses that there are so many new ways of learning if people -especially the younger generations- are willing to listen. His ultimate goal is to build the bridge over the gap that separate people from being opened to different varieties of music (Randall 30-34). In Blears’ article “The Sound of Music” he says, “Not only Catan’s pupils have learned from these appreciation seminars. Jaime states, “he always learns a great deal from the students’ varied questions, which provide him with the guidelines for forming an appropriate and flexible program.” He stresses the important of education (52). Jaime explains the process of learning is like building a house.

He explains how a person has to build a house from foundation up and how it must be done with practice and without staleness. If not, it will become a negative exercise that could harm all the progress done previously (53). Music education is vital to keep the core of music strong. Wanda O’Brien goal is to inspire her students to want to learn different types of music. She explains how children limit their learning capabilities when the children only expose themselves to certain types of music. She has taken into consideration that many students don’t have the time to be educated in private classes. Thus she explains that if music education is built into the curriculum than children will develop an appreciation at an early age. Also, she states that the variety of music education is important to understand the difference of different music styles. Lastly, she believes that music education shouldn’t be a choice; it should be more required for passing. She wants to embrace the education through music and bring her inspiration out to her students.

One reference she uses is, “Bach’s achieves a remarkable marriage of boldly distinctive melodic lines weaving in counterpoint, yet creating a coherent harmonic logic that would be impossible in the heat of live improvising.” This is the kind of work she would love for her students to understand and truly appreciate (O’Brien, 26). Classical music is relatively different; it can be elegant and artistic, yet expressive and passionate. Per Dahl explains in his article that classical music changed literacy; Classical music was the start of when the performer took his or her interpretation of the musical score and the literacy of that music. This genre of music goes beyond what’s on the musical score sheet and goes deep within the soul of its performer. Ever since the eighteenth century, classical music changed the music industry for what it is known for. Famous pianist-Jaime Catan – states the following when he was talking to his children, “They feel totally overwhelmed, don’t know where to start and feel swamped. I remember one of my daughters saying `Thank God we know how to listen to music because of you.’ But others don’t have that opportunity, and that is terribly sad” (Blears, 52).

Classical music is an artistic form of art; the different varieties the performer can create are endless. Dahl explains in his article, the separation of the audience is similar to the roles of a Kenner and liebhaber. A Kenner is a person who knows music and its roots. A liebhaber is a person who knows the connoisseurs of music. He explains that “Kenner uses his knowledge in composition and music history, while the liebhaber uses reference from his or her own experience.” This reference shows the connection between the composer’s role in construction the music and the performer who must express him or herself in the performance piece (Dahl 66-67). Music is an art form that is all about sound and silence. It has core elements such as pitch, melody, rhythm, precision, tempo and meter; it incorporates all these dynamics. Music can be broken down to so many genres and sub-topics that make music such a fine art. The Classical music era was short, but it was important to our understanding and the esthetics of music. It had defined what true music was all about. Musicians were able to broaden their capabilities by expressing themselves in a whole new way.

Musicians were able to take what they were thought (melody, rhythm, pitch) and use it by creating a whole new piece based upon what they felt was right. This was the fundamentals that was carried on from back then and still used today. Classical music was able to connect the composer, performer, and the listener in a marvelous way (Dahl, 71). Music has endured throughout time and is still being applied today. Many musicians are able to escape into a realm with their listeners with a whole new connection. In the recent years, classical music has been growing in the music study and has been accepted in public schools and universities all around the world. Classical music has given an important role for both the literacy and the listener’s individual abilities. It has become a combination of the core to establishing what this genre of music is all about, beyond the different styles of music. Today, there is a vast variety of classical music, due its growing role on society. Classical music is the definition to concepts like “work of art.” The genre has incorporated literacy as one of its central elements, but it primarily is created with the musicians themselves.

This separates classical music from other genres like jazz or folk music, where as the music is all rehearsed. On another note, classical music is always found in movies, television programs, and events. For example, Nessun Dorma from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot was the theme tune for the 1990’s FIFA World Cup (Dahl, 68). Classical music has changed how many people have looked at music. The techniques that famous musicians have used in the past are what new musicians embrace looking at music today. In Per Dahl article, he explains how classical music has opened up a new perspective on how musicians perceive music. He continues saying that musical notation became only one of the several sources for knowledge that should be contributed to the understanding of music, its works, and performances. It is no longer a dominate factor in musical life in the twentieth century. He states, “The importance of the composer is reduced, the performer’s role and the importance of expressive qualities in the performance are enhanced, and classical music is about to become a performance practice again (Dahl, 66). Classical music is rewarding and uplifting and its impact provides strength and courage to its listeners. The endless hours of practice and determination for the famous musicians were only the start to his or her success.

The gratitude that they receive is indescribable. The big thing to understand about the difference of classical music compared to other types of music is the impact it leaves. There is so much too take-away from these remarkable performances. Questions instantly approach after listening to a piece and so many things come to mind. Most importantly, the connection between the listener and the performer is so sacred. There is always something to take away and the music leaves the listeners inspired. There is a lot of technical achievement and complexity that is involved when learning classical music. Many individuals start at an early age in understanding the genre. There is a very large amount of schooling and private study time that includes many hours of practicing. Parents understand the importance of education and are willing to spend the time, energy, and money for the music education. Parents understand- as discussed earlier -that the education of music effects the overall learning education in a positive way.

If a child gets a fundamental way for understanding the depth of a subject such as music, the children will be able to incorporate this way of learning in further areas of studies. Furthermore, professional performance demands for proficient abilities in sight-reading ensemble playing, thorough understanding of tonal and harmonic principles. A person needs to understand thematic development, phrasing, pitch, tone, harmonization, modulation, texture, and understand the musical form itself. Once understood, classical music is very satisfying, uplifting, and rewarding. Hours of hard work result in successful classical music artists. Once a person receives the privilege to perform, the connections that the performer shares with his or her listeners is said to be the best feeling ever This form of art is truly marvelous, inspirational, and uplifting.

Artist today have goals to grasp different audiences and look to strong music forms like classical music to incorporate the listeners. Classical proved it significance and played a strong role in music’s overall history (Dahl, 66-68). Many people can truly appreciate the impact of classical music. The genre of music proves to be angelic-yet mystical- powerful -yet elegant. Due to the increasing education in public schools, the younger generations are being educated on classical music. Jamie Catan was a strong example of someone who truly appreciated the sound of music. Music was developed out of pure inspiration and imagination. For what is worth, Classical music makes the connection from the listener and the composer deeper in terms for understanding for what the composer was feeling; this reason being represents why classical music leaves such an impact.