Evolution of Music: From Prehistoric Sounds to Romantic Nationalism
The Origins of Music
Prehistoric humans discovered the sonic possibilities of nature, striking materials like wood and cane. Ancient cultures in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Rome used instruments with magical and religious significance. The first bands emerged after the Middle Ages, around the 16th century, when voices were assigned to instruments for dances, parties, hunts, and even war. During the 17th century, compositions were primarily for string instruments. In the 18th century, other instruments were gradually incorporated into the orchestra.
The Rise of the Orchestra
The first orchestra was in the German city of Mannheim.
Classicism in Music
The New Enlightenment philosophy and archaeological discoveries of ancient classical art promoted the establishment of neoclassicism. Following the baroque era, artists sought inspiration in reason and ideal beauty, with simplicity and restraint, imitating ancient Greco-Roman classicism. Musically, classicism developed during a short period between the baroque and romantic eras.
Characteristics of Classical Music
The bourgeoisie, enriched aristocrats, and patrons of musicians began to open concerts to paying visitors. Classical music is characterized by:
- Changing bass lines
- Vertical harmony and balance
- A new sound texture
- Simple and happy melodies accompanied by new instruments
The Sonata Form
The sonata is a significant discovery in instrumental music, a composition with up to four movements: fast, slow, semi-rapid, and fast. The sonata form applies to:
- Single instrument compositions (sonatas for piano, violin, etc.)
- Orchestras (symphonies)
- Chamber ensembles (duos, trios, quartets, etc.)
- Solo instrument with orchestra (concertos)
Classical Opera
Instruments also accompany singing in operas and vocal works. During classicism, a comic opera called singspiel emerged in Germany.
The Classical Concerto
The term ‘concert’ has two meanings: a musical performance and a genre of music. The classical concerto applies the sonata form to a solo instrument with orchestral accompaniment, replacing the concerto grosso. Common solo instruments are the violin and piano.
The Symphony
The word ‘symphony’ in Greek means instruments sounding together. In the late 16th century, it referred to instrumental fragments between parts of a play, also called the overture or sinfonia, the initial part of the first operas.
Romanticism in Music
The romantic literary movement differed from classical forms, emphasizing feeling. Romanticism is characterized by individualism and the exaltation of all forms of expression. The romantic musical movement spanned from the mid-19th century to the end of the century, coexisting with other currents and continuing in some places into the early 20th century.
Ballet’s Origins
Ballet originated in Renaissance courts, rising in the court of King Louis XIV of France as a show involving poetry, music, dance, architecture, and painting. Jean-Baptiste Lully was a key musician in its development in France. Modern ballet emerged in 1909 with the Russian ballet dancers led by Diaghilev.
Musical Nationalism
Musical nationalism is connected with the romantic movement, arising from countries struggling for independence and reacting to foreign domination. It developed alongside European Romanticism, with less musical tradition. The first musical nationalists were Russian, and the last were Hungarian. Glinka and Grieg are representatives of musical nationalism.
Characteristics of Musical Nationalism
The bourgeoisie, with political awareness, attended concerts and theater where operas presented arguments that shaped national identity. Musical nationalism is characterized by:
- Dominance of melody
- Rich rhythms
- Simple harmonies
- Varied instrumentation