Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Life and Musical Legacy
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Introduction
Born in Salzburg in 1756, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was soon revealed as a child prodigy. Educated by his father, at age six he played the violin and keyboard instruments and could improvise and read music. His father took him on a tour of European courts, where he earned fame and honors, as he composed several works. He died in Vienna on December 5, 1791, at 35 years old. His funeral was held at the Cathedral of St. Stephen. It was laid out according to the Masonic
Read MoreManuel de Falla: Spanish Composer’s Life and Works
Manuel de Falla: A Legacy in Spanish Music
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) was a prominent Spanish composer who masterfully blended three major trends in early 20th-century Spanish music: Nationalism, Neo-Classicism, and Impressionism. Born in Cádiz, he later moved to Madrid and eventually passed away in Argentina.
Early Years and Musical Development
De Falla quickly distinguished himself as a pianist and soon developed a keen interest in composition. In Madrid, he composed Zarzuelas, some in collaboration
Read MoreUnveiling the Earliest Roots of Music: Prehistoric Origins
The Origins of Music
The origins of music remain unknown. Ethnology and musicology contribute data but are still far from reaching a definitive conclusion. Distinguished thinkers have proposed the following hypotheses:
- Charles Darwin: Darwin relates the origin of music to his theory of species. He discusses animal sounds, arguing that they express moods. Birds make calls to the opposite sex, and females choose the best singer. He considers that primitive humans would have behaved similarly, and the
Musical Styles and Composers: From Caribbean to Avant-Garde
Musical Articulation
Staccato: Can be translated as “prominent,” and is also indicated by the word of articulation *picado*. It is a term that applies to certain notes upon which a short *punto* is placed. These notes should be played, reducing their real duration. To achieve staccato articulation, reduce the value of the notes by about half.
Accent: The sign is placed by the note you want to be interpreted with greater force or intent, i.e., *accentuated*. It is indicated by a small angle above the
Read MoreThe Blues: Origins and Influence on American Music
The blues is the most independent type of Black music in the African-American tradition. The musical style wasn’t really developed until after slavery had been abolished in 1865, but the blues is deeply rooted in the slaves’ work songs, gospel, and Negro spirituals. Some say that the blues was born in the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta, where cotton choppers and pickers sang to make the work go easier. These songs were influenced by African tribal songs, work chants, and “hollers”. But even
Read MoreCatalan Popular Literature: History, Genres, and Key Figures
Significance of the People in Catalan Literature
This 16th-century literature emerged in the early days of the Catalan language. Originating in the 16th century, it has a traditional and popular dimension, passed down through generations, often set to music. During the 19th-century revival, there was an urgent need to recover this literature. Manuel Milà i Fontanals collected and published romances and songs.
Genres of Popular Literature
Romance
A poetic composition with verses of seven syllables,
Read More