Abstract This examines the life, works and death of the famous music composer Wolfgang Mozart, who died in 1791 at the age of thirty five. It concentrates on the theories that have been put together regarding what may have killed the composer. He was one of the most prolific and talented composers in history and his fame at such a young age touched the chord of envy in many. It discusses how modern science has been trying to determine the exact cause of death but it will probably never be resolved and how other theories include a cheating wife, a jealous peer and plain old bad pork.
From the Paper "Today rheumatic fever is rare but in the composer's life it was a common ailment(Sleuth, 2000). He died during a historically noted epidemic of the illness around Europe and scientist believe this is what killed the music genius. Because it is known that Mozart had the disease several times as a child it does not surprise the advocates of this theory that scientists have opened the possibility of the disease damaging his heart and then later in his life being the cause of his death. This theory sounds plausible based on the rash and the fever for rheumatic fever and the swollen limbs which point to a commonly known byproduct of heart failure."
Abstract Analysis of Antonio Vivaldi's solo concerto "Primavera" Op. 8, No. 1 ("Spring"). The first of the 4 concertos that make up The Four Seasons, a programmatic piece. Discusses the ideas of the poem. Discusses interpretations. Details each movement and its motifs.
From the Paper "Antonio Vivaldi's Primavera, or Spring (Op. 8 no. 1) was the first of the set of concertos entitled Le quattro stagioni (Op. 8 nos. 1-4) published in Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione at Amsterdam in 1725 (although the date of their composition is uncertain). The Primavera is a solo concerto scored for Violino principale, two other violins (ripieno), violas, violoncellos and double basses with continuo (usually played on harpsichord). The four concertos provide an example of programmatic music, illustrating four simple poems addressed to the seasons which may have been written, or at least adapted, by Vivaldi himself.
In the poem to Spring, in rough outline, the goddess is welcomed by the singing of birds and the breath of Zephyrs which makes the brooks murmur. Thunder and lightning, one of her signs, arrive and darken the sky. The storm is soon over and the..."
Abstract The paper examines the persuasion of people using music (lyrics and melody). It focuses on Bob Marley and his ability to influence entire cultures in a political/social movement. The paper shows how Marley's music and lyrics worked as the rhetoric of the Rastafarian movement against oppression, exploitation and racism in Jamaica. Using metaphors to describe the hardships of the political fights of Jamaicans and Africans, the paper shows how Marley established himself as the spokesman of a race and culture.
From the Paper "Some of the most attainable goals of persuasive songs are those focused toward a particular movement's members; such as reinforcing the ideas of the movement, promoting unity, and maintaining high confidence among members. In other words, songs of persuasion may prove to be effective in terms of reinforcing the beliefs already held by movement members and sympathizers. Rarely do such songs succeed in their attempt to reach those who are not already sympathetic to the cause (Sellnow). Although Marley never intended to recruit as many people into his particular beliefs, his standpoint on peace and unity was felt throughout the world."
Abstract This paper provides a biography of the life and the accomplishments of the musical genius Johann Sebastian Bach. This paper is formatted in two parts: The first section documents Bach's private life, which is surprisingly notorious for a court musician in the eighteen-hundreds. The second section of this paper documents the musical accomplishments of Bach, as well as the aspects of music that influenced his growth as a composer.
Abstract This paper critically analyzes hip-hop culture as a form of religion, focusing on the role religion plays in a rapper's life and its expression through the music, with special emphasis on Islam and the answer to the question of whether music is a religion or a tool to teach religion.
From the Paper "In pop culture, Muslim rappers' faith can be misrepresented. For example, it has become a fashion statement for men to wear kufis, the Islamic prayer caps. On the cover of Russell Simmons' One World magazine, Lil' Kim wore lingerie beneath a burq'a. The cover features Lil Kim wearing Afghani like garment while exposing the bottom half of her body and breast. This offended Muslims all over the world and the Muslim community was furious because It looked like Lil' Kim was mocking women of Islam when she put on clothes attributed to Muslims. The magazine and Lil Kim were asked to apologize to the whole Muslim world."
Abstract This paper explores the origins and history of jazz music from its early beginnings in New Orleans to the more well-known and popular forms we hear today. The paper explains how the earlier forms, known as ragtime and Dixieland, started in the late 1800's and were well formed by the early 1920's. The paper also shows the development of jazz into what we know as blues music today.
From the Paper "One theory about how Jazz began to coalesce into a recognizable music style relates to the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898. Some historians note that military bands came to New Orleans to be decommissioned, and many of the band instruments were sold to African-Americans and others. Most of these people taught themselves to play (Morgan, 2003), so from the very beginning, jazz did not have strong ties to European styles of musical sound, form, instrumentalization, rhythm and melody. Because of New Orleans? ethnic mix of Spanish, French, Creole and others in addition to Caucasian and African-American (Morgan, 2003), New Orleans was in a position to meld many influences together into a new form."
Tags: new, orleans, blues, music, instrument, club
Abstract The paper asserts that the "Mass in B Minor" not only sums up Bach's own eclectic style, but also sums up the styles of previous periods as well. This paper first addresses some of the historical aspects surrounding the Mass. It then discusses controversial theories regarding Bach's purpose in writing such a work and finally acknowledges a small variety of those styles, i.e., stile antico, galant, that Bach assimilated into this monumental work.
From the Paper "Throughout the Mass in B minor there are three clearly distinct styles of Baroque vocal writing that can be heard influencing this quite eclectic work. The first is the traditional stile antico or "church style," the somewhat plain and simple manner inherited from the Renaissance (prima practica). In this musical style the notation employs long note values, dissonance and melodic ornamentation are used cautiously, and the instruments are used primarily to double the choral parts. In contrast, the vibrant, sometimes harsh Baroque style displays an often lively rhythm, brilliant orchestration, expressive dissonance, and melodic lines that are highly ornamented. The third and final type is that of the arias and duets, derived predominately from the virtuosic solo writing of the opera and cantata."
Abstract This essay applies the thoughts of critical theorists such as Barthes and Eagleton to the concept of music and it's cultural roots and present day entity.
From the Paper "Rock recordings and performances since the 1950s have been essentially about freedom and sex. The main derivative source, the blues and rhythm and blues, has always been essentially about freedom and sex. So how does rock portray sex? It is portrayed in all forms, in all deviations, in all fetish manifestations. In the pantheon of song characters and, indeed in the rock world itself, there are cross-dressers, homosexuals, transvestites, prostitutes, groupies and toyboys. There is bondage, incest, one night stands as well as love and marriage. It is all there and more. Yet there is a constant battle among critics and observers that has raged since rock's beginnings about how gender and sexuality is and should be portrayed. Generally, Rock and Roll tends to polarize opinion and has a tendency to push even the most objective observer into fits of subjective raving."
Abstract This paper looks at Buddy Holly's influence on the music of the Beatles. It shows that Buddy Holly's influence and courage to experiment and innovate led the Beatles to their own innovation and impact on the pop music scene; enabling them to make significant contributions to opening up rock and roll to the British and the world, making it not just a regional American sound, but an international phenomena.
From the Paper "Working within his rock band, "The Crickets", Buddy Holly? unique approach to his music, with his new and ground-breaking vocal style and guitar technique would become the example to be followed, imitated and would set a standard that would be built upon by other artists including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and particularly groups and artists comprising the "British Invasion" of the American music scene in the ?60s. Mixing elements of country, Rhythm and Blues, blues, rockabilly, gospel, and pop, Holly developed a musical hybrid, resulting in a body of work that is as fresh today as it was in the 1950s.
His groundbreaking attitude toward experimenting and breaking out of set styles and formulas gave other music writers and performers the courage to do so as well, during a time when artists were encouraged to stick to "what works" and "what sells records". The Beatles, too, were a different type of band that would also forever influence the development of music. When they first began playing together, they played mostly covers of other groups? hit songs, from a variety of genres; part of their initial success came from their borrowing or dubbing over music which had already been a hit for other artists."
Tags: rockabilly, gospel, pop, blues, band, harmony, band, music
Abstract This paper re-examines Plato's "Republic X" as it attempts to denounce the poets from Plato's "perfect" republic. It argues for the expulsion of poetry that is not of lyric or historical importance and in doing so attacks some of the very important ideals that modern poetry is founded upon. The paper takes Plato's arguments that the poet does not actually "create" in his craft and is therefore, basically, a liar, and attempts to further this argument by using quotes from James and Wordsworth in an attempt to re-argue Plato's point.
From the Paper "In the Republic, Book X, Socrates, through the pen of his brilliant pupil Plato, argues for ?our refusal to admit the imitative kind of poetry, for it certainly ought not to be received.? (p. 21) However, although Plato is widely regarded as a man of unquestioned genius, and his Republic a work of infinite possibility, this single phrase that sums the whole of the tenth book up has become the topic of heated debate in western literary criticism."
Abstract This paper is about censorship and rights of speech. The author focuses on the music of Allen Iverson, the famous athlete who was accused of using offensive language and lyrics in his music. The author discusses the moral and ethical issues around censorship.
From the Paper "Recently, NBA superstar Allen Iverson has been under a lot of heat for a rap album he recorded. According to human rights organizations, the lyrics on the album discriminate against gays, women, and blacks. Shortly after the situation was brought to the public's attention, National Basketball Association Commissioner, David Stern, took Iverson into his office to discuss the album and a possible fine or suspension."
Abstract A look at the origins of Indian culture with emphasis on Indian music and dance. The author examines the roots of music and dance from legends, myths and ancient scripts and provides an understanding of the historical foundation of Indian music and dance.
From the Paper "The history of Indian music and dance is one of the oldest unbroken artistic traditions in the world. It is said that the origins of this system go back to the Vedas, the ancient scripts of the Hindus. Numerous legends have grown up concerning the origins and development of Indian classical music and dance. Such legends illustrate the importance both that music and dance have had in defining Indian culture, especially from a religious perspective. This investigation is meant to explore the historical foundation of Indian music to ascertain a better understanding of the classical form."
This paper deals with the British rock bands of the 1960's, and specifically discusses the different aspects of society during that period that affected the bands and in return reflected on the culture of the time.
2,215 words (approx. 8.9 pages), 6 sources, 2001, $ 68.95
Abstract This paper examines the British rock band invasion of the United States during the 1960?s. It specifically details the numerous aspects of society during that period, such as current events, that affected these bands (The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, etc.) and how their music reflected on the culture of the time. The author discusses The Vietnam War, the anti-war movement, hippies, drug use- all influences on the bands.
From the Paper "Since the 1960's was a time period in which sex, love, violence, and drugs were running rampant, it is evident that some of these social factors of the time period had an effect on these bands. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones were two of the most popular British Invasion bands in both the United States and The United Kingdom at the time. They are also prime examples of social factors have affected the music of the time period. The Vietnam War, which was directly related to the Hippie Movement, was one factor that had an effect. Mass drug use of the time period was also a factor that had a major influence on the British Invasion bands."
Tags: beatles, drug, marijuana, rock, rolling, stones, hippies, vietnam
