Abstract This paper offers a review of Handel's "Messiah", beginning with a description of the writer's life. The author shows how Handel's life and upbringing are reflected in this great piece of music through his family history, musical background, and the influence of his father. The paper then explores some of the other musical pieces written by Handel.
From the Paper "Handel composed Messiah to the libretto (lyrics) of Charles Jennens, who also wrote libretto for Handel's Saul as well as works for other composers. Peter Jacobi describes Jennens? libretto as "a deft weaving of spiritual thoughts"that led Handel to a clarity of vocal and instrumental line,? (1982, p. 33). Once the composer received Jennens? libretto, he completed Messiah in just over three weeks, between August and September of 1741. This "burst of energy" was supposedly typical for Handel (Barber, 1994, p. 45). However, the completely original composition was not; ?Handel was a plagiarist,? like many musicians in his time, and he frequently borrowed whole sections of music from other composers."
Abstract This paper discusses how, at first glance, the Baroque music period and Classical music periods seem to be very much alike. They do, in fact, have many similarities, such as the same basic orchestral and chamber ensembles used in both periods. However, by carefully analyzing each period, this paper explains how distinct differences can be found.
From the Paper "The word "Baroque" comes from the Italian word barocco, which literally translates to bizarre, however some feel that when dealing with the arts, exuberant is closer to the aim of the translation, and exuberant is a word that perfectly fits this style of music. Although Baroque was first used to describe ornately decorated buildings in Austria and Germany, it quickly became used to describe a similarly ornate period of music."
Abstract This paper looks at the recent change in the type of music played in churches as some of them try to modernize and become more accessible to young parishioners. The writer shows how Christian Rock has become more popular and names a number of the more well-known Christian rock artists. The paper then looks at the positive effect this has had on the churches that encourage this music.
From the Paper "Christian rock was not accepted in the initial years of its inception in the 70s mainly because it was considered as a rebellious type of music that could not be cowed down by dogmas and religious rules. In the initial years it was abhorred and often excommunicated from the abode of the puritans. However, many authors also believe that the early Christian Rock musicians who mixed religion and Rock were left to fend for themselves since they were abandoned by both the hard core rock artists as well as the Christian faith."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the various technologies that exist to enable people to download music from the Internet, including P2P, home CD burning, and music piracy. It looks at the problems this technology brings with it, both legal and ethical, and suggests ways around these problems.
From the Paper "The music industry is undergoing a global technological revolution which has been induced by the introduction of Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing, and the proliferation of recordable CD equipment which his now within the financial reach of the average consumer. Either of these influences alone could have been absorbed by the recording industry. The presence of a P2P service which was limited only to sharing files between computers would have been convenient and innovative fun. If consumers could only put personal music tracks on portable disks, the convenience would have expanded the reach of the individual's music collection, much the same way that personal cassette recorders did in the 1970?s. Although the music industry was worried about personal cassette recording abilities of the past, the inherent poor quality of personal recordings meant that the demand for studio recordings remained high."
Abstract This paper provides a review of the relevant literature to develop an accurate biographical sketch of Franz Schubert, the background of "6 Moment Musicaux Opus 94", and an analysis of its musicality. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Franz Schubert was a prolific Romantic composer whose music continues to entertain many people today. While much is known about the composer is some respects, little or nothing is known about circumstances surrounding his composition of 6 Moment Musicaux Opus 94, except perhaps he had just bought a piano following his first and only public concert he performed and he needed the money. "
Abstract This paper begins by providing a brief history of the industry. It then analyzes several companies and leading players in the industry. The writer then describes the products or services available in the MP3 world and looks at the value to the economy of such an industry. Ethics and social responsibility within this sector are also analyzed, and then future trends are discussed. SWOT analysis also provided.
From the Paper "MP3 considered being the "renegade" digital music format that makes solid-state music possible through heavy compression, in stead of being outdated moves from strength to strength. (MP3 players group test) The MP3 is considered to be the best solution for the rising bands to demonstrate their skills and let their music viewed by placing the same in the form of singles and albums on the Internet for immediate download at free or negligible costs. (What is MP3, How does it work, what is (MPEG)) The MP3 players are influencing the lives of the people to a large extent. This makes them possible to listen to the music while they are on mobile. This has a great advantage over the CD players, since the listener is not required to haul around many different CDs that can become cumbersome. (Mp3 Players: History) They simply need to put all the songs they require on the MP3 player and go on listening to for a long period. (IPod faces competition as MP3 player sales boom)."
The paper describes the role of the chorus in ancient Greek theater. It talks about the origin of the chorus and theater and how the chorus worked in the Euripides's "Hippolytus". The paper also focuses on the effect Greek theater had on modern theater.
Abstract This paper tells what the chorus brought to Greek theater and how theater was shaped because of it. The paper discusses this topic while examining one of the most famous Greek play, "Hippolytus," by Euripides. The chorus was a crucial part of theater during that time and was used to narrate the story, give their opinion of the plot, and keep a rhythm for the play. The chorus did this in various ways, such as through costumes, stage presence, music, and singing. The Greek chorus was a precursor to operas and musicals as we know them today, and the paper discusses this evolution of the chorus.
From the Paper "The chorus is essential to ancient Greek drama, and the plays at that time were greatly dependent on song and dance which the chorus performed (Ley 28). It accompanied the actors with sounds, gestures, postures, costumes, masks etc, and these flowing actions and stage elements brought the play to life. The various roles of the chorus are to narrate, give their opinions and keep the rhythm of the play. They do this through singing, movement, and stage presence. The ancient Greek theater is also important because it was the precursor to operas and musicals as we know them today. This paper will discuss the importance of the chorus' roles on the Greek stage by examining Euripides' Hippolytus and also how it influenced modern theater. To fully understand the reason for the chorus it is necessary to know the history."
Abstract This paper argues that, despite arguments to the contrary, decadence was not the message that 1960s-era rock stars communicated to society; the message was acceptance of the equality of races and the legitimacy of the demands of the Civil Rights Movement.
Outline
Pre-1960s: Attitude Towards the American Blacks
History of the Blacks in America
Music and Civil Rights Movement
Black Musicians and Contributions
"Troubadours of Conscience"
Elvis Presley's Contribution
Baez and Dylan
From the Paper "When the Civil Rights Movement began, it did so in an atmosphere that very strongly believed that the Black person was extremely inferior to the White person, and music became the best means of changing the dominant attitudes towards the Blacks. Music contributed to the Civil Rights Movement's cause for equality in two main ways. First was through the songs and musical style of popular white singers such as Elvis Presley, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan. Second was through the popularity achieved by Black entertainers as the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations and many others, among the White people themselves."
Abstract This paper explains the rise and spread of Rastafarianism and how reggae helped popularize these beliefs. It looks at different songs and lyrics by the famous Rasta singer, Bob Marley, which called for a change in attitudes towards the Rastafarians.
From the Paper "Influenced largely by New Orleans Blues, (urban American pop music of the 1940's) the style of reggae adopted rhythms which shifted their accents off beat. "This new style was called reggae, for its ragged cadence, and its lilting and mesmeric quality seemed especially suited for new dimensions of storytelling and social commentary." (Rolling Stones, March 2005: pg 72) In Jamaica, music was used as a means to tell stories or pass on tradition or information. It was because of this musical acculturation that a new form of music was initiated and the people had a catchy way to express their emotion. "It was music that gave a displaced population a way to tell truths about their lives and a way of claiming victory over daily misery, or at least of finding a respite." (Rolling Stones, March 2005: pg 70) Reggae was a form of expression.'"
Abstract Musical theater is almost as old as America itself. From the 1700s to the present day, the stages across the United States have come alive with the voices and instruments of dramatic, romantic and comedic musicals that have delighted audiences of all ages. This paper shows that the United States is known for its mixture of cultures, beliefs and traditions and where freedom of expression is not only allowed but encouraged. American musical theater is a prime example of this ethnic and cultural eclectic creativity and presentation. The paper traces the history of musical theater in the United States from the 1700s to the present day.
From the Paper "Rodgers and Hammerstein started their run of hits with "Oklahoma." The seemingly impossible mixture of murder, suspense and music worked because the characters were characterized in depth. The creative team took other risks as well: Instead of opening with the usual stirring ensemble number, the curtain rose on a farm woman churning butter as a cowboy enters singing a solo about the beauty of the morning. Further, Hammerstein wrote lyrics for all the songs in a conversational style, each fitting specific characters and storytelling needs. In addition, since the characters would be dealing with emotions that might sound awkward if verbalized by cowboys and farm girls, Rodgers and Hammerstein decided to use dance as an integral element."
Abstract Criticism and controversy surround a lot of issues in the modern world today. For instance, graphically violent and sexually explicit lyrics, particularly, in heavy metal and rap music have been named by some as the cause for pernicious and destructive behavior in the adolescents and young adults who listen to it. This paper argues that to allege that violent material contained within music lyrics has not been proven to cause real-life violence is not to, in any way, defend or endorse media violence. It explains however, that there are many angles of this theory that frequently go unmentioned.
From the Paper "It is long overdue that society as a whole stop overlooking the reality of what is causing our youth to unleash anger and rage. If violent music is not the origin of societal turbulence among our nations' young people, public attention should turn to what does. Violence is cause by unabated familial, economic, and political problems, and these things are what need to be addressed. Music does not create violence; it brings what exists to America's attention and forces people to acknowledge it. Steven S. Salem of Billboard Magazine commented, "Artists have never been anything but mirrors of their surroundings.""
Tags: admendment, drugs, free, heavy, insulting, lyrics, metal, mosh, n, profanity, rap, rock, roll, sex, speech, wild
Abstract James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" is a tale about two brothers, the unnamed narrator, who is an upstanding algebra teacher, and Sonny, a jazz musician and ex-drug addict. This paper examines how James Baldwin uses music throughout the story to symbolize salvation and how Sonny's continuing pursuit of music can be seen as a desire to be saved.
From the Paper "Another instance where music is mentioned in conjunction with salvation is when the narrator is in a bar with Sonny's friend. The barmaid was dancing to the tune playing on the jukebox, and in keeping time to the music, she smiled and "one saw the little girl, one sensed the doomed, still-struggling woman beneath the battered face of the semi-whore" (ibid, 173). Music brings out the innocence in the barmaid, but there is a sense of hopelessness about her situation. The hopelessness "filled everything, the people, the houses, the music, the dark, quicksilver barmaid, with menace" (ibid, 173). The people in the bar have no hope of salvation, because "menace was their reality" (ibid, 173)."
Abstract This paper explains that the return to Greek drama within the musical trends of the end of the 16th century and into the early part of 17th century resulted in a multifaceted musical and theatrical combination, which is now called opera. The author analyzes composers, such as Caccini, Peri and Monteverdi, to reveal how this musical idiom developed from the medieval music tradition and Greek Classical revival of the Baroque period. The paper relates that, in the late 16th century, various forms of music were beginning to combine theatrical productions, arias and extended recitative verses, which would invariably be termed opera.
From the Paper "This music study will present the early progenitors opera that began at the end of the 16th century and into the early part of 17th century. By understanding the return to Greek drama within musical trends of these time periods, a multifaceted musical and theatrical combination resulted in what is now called Opera. By analyzing composers such as Caccini, Peri and Monteverdi, one can realize how this musical idiom developed from the medieval music tradition and Greek Classical revival of the Baroque period. In the late 16th century various forms of music were beginning to blend theatrical productions and arias, as well as extended recitative verses that would invariably be termed opera through these initial combinations."
Abstract This paper presents a report on the book, "Samba", by Alma Guillermoprieto, noting how the author develops a view of Brazilian society through one of the institutions in that society, the samba school, which she reports on first hand by spending a year learning the dance and becoming steeped in the culture of the samba and the carnival when thousands of samba dancers meet.
From the Paper "The samba schools she describes come from the poorest areas of Brazil, the favelas, poor sections of the city of Rio on the hills around the core of that city. In her discussion, she shows how this particular institution relates to the people, to the tradition of carnival, and to ideas of social cohesion and even the form and structure of crime in the country. A little research shows much about Brazil, much that is illustrated in a different way in Guillermoprieto's narrative."
A discussion of the factors that shape talent in an individual and suggestions on how to design a research study/questionnaire that can determine how talent is best developed.
1,200 words (approx. 4.8 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 41.95
From the Paper "The scope of talent and ability is great and far ranging, as are the various environments in which they develop. In order to produce a complete study, the different areas of talent and the environments must be looked at: intellectual and academic aptitude, potential in the arts, psychomotor abilities, and spiritual abilities. The overall cultural environment must be taken into account, but special attention should be given to the personal and intimate environment in which the talented individual developed. It is in this personal area that similarities may be discovered and in turn applied to the abilities in the general population."
