Posts Tagged ‘Orchestras’
When kids go to music class in school, they often do not understand why it is important for them to study the history of classical music. The truth is that, although it may sound vastly different, classical music is the basis on which all other popular music has been built. Without it, we would not have all of the many genres that we enjoy listening to today.
The roots of classical music can actually be found in early Christian music, which takes many of its influences from ancient Greek music. The Greeks created instruments such as the aulos and the lyre, which led to many of the instruments found in contemporary orchestras. Unfortunately, there is not a great deal of music from the early period of classical music still available.
The Renaissance period, which took place between 1400 and 1600, was marked by more instrumentation than the past. In fact, the music of this period is the first time that bass instruments were introduced into the compositions. This is also the time in which musical notation was developed, allowing generations to come the opportunity to enjoy the compositions that were written at the time.
Orchestral players are finding it increasingly hard to make ends meet. Orchestras face increasing financial problems reduction in recording work. Orchestras require you to know your entire instrument because the repertoire requires it.
Musicians in many orchestras are paid “per service” and the trombone is not always part of the “core” group of players in the orchestra. Musicians cite lack of creative control, inadequate compensation, unacknowledged education and talent and monotony among other frustrations that lead to career malaise.
On the positive side. Orchestra playing teaches teamwork. Playing in an orchestra with high quality, with a conductor who was is dynamic, demanding, knowledgeable and passionate could be the beginning of life-career as a musician. Another positive part of playing in an orchestra is friendship. Playing in a three-piece rock band versus playing in an orchestra–guess which one is louder. Playing in an orchestra, if you make a mistake, other people around you might notice it, but the audience probably won’t.
Playing in an orchestra gives them a way to build accomplishment, and that leads to good self-esteem and being productive and giving back to their community. If you love playing your instrument, a career in a symphony orchestra provides a chance to do that on a daily basis and, on concert nights, have the satisfaction of 2000 people on their feet congratulating you for a job well done.
Classical music in strict terms is music that was written and composed during a very specific time period. This time period is 1750 to 1820. What is it that sets this particular period apart from the Baroque period which comes right before or the Romantic which is the period right after? These are not just random dates that some forgotten historian chose, but rather refer to the actual way that the music was composed.
In literature, there are a number of recognized styles of writing. A limerick or a Haiku are both poems, and yet each one has a very strict format and layout. This same principle applies to music. Pieces written during the classical period have a very distinct structure and layout as well. A person who has classical music training can recognize the differences between pieces in the same way that a person schooled in literature can tell you the exact difference between an English sonnet and an Italian one.
So what happens when you have a piece of music that follows this exact format, but was written during a later period? Do you call it a piece of classical music, or maybe, a modern classical piece?