Opera’s Origins, Handel’s Vocals, and Bach’s Instrumental Works
The Birth of Opera
Born in Italy, opera has spread throughout the world. It has two primary origins:
- The madrigal, which, when represented, evolved into “drama in music” and later “opera in music.”
- The oratorio, a sacred drama that is not represented. The recitative is a “simple” form found in both the cantata and oratorio.
In Florence, under the Medici family, a group of musicians and poets, including Jacopo Peri (1561-1633), wrote “Daphne,” which premiered in 1597 with text by Ottavio Rinuccini and
Read MoreVivaldi’s Autumn & Bach’s Badinerie: Analysis
Vivaldi’s Autumn: Musical Analysis
In musical composition, it marks a ternary rhythm in a 3/8 beat, with an Allegro tempo. One hears a mechanical rhythm that produces great musical tension. The arrangement of the notes contributes to this auditory experience. The strong emphasis always falls on the first beat; it overlaps the machine effect.
The score was composed according to a source, from whose variations the rest of the composition is derived. The melody is tonal. The range of the solo violin
Read MoreMedieval and Baroque Music: Chords, Contrasts, and Instruments
Medieval and Baroque Music
Chords and Melodies
Arab Music
Arab Music: Originating from Northern Africa to Iran, through Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Features:
- Heterophony
- Improvisation
- Ornamentation
- Based on melodic and rhythmic modes
Gregorian Chant
The evolution of Western music from medieval chant, part of the church, called Gregorian chant, in honor of Pope Gregory I, who was the first collector.
These Gregorian chants formed by uniting all religious songs from the areas in which Christianity had influence.
Read MoreGerman Opera, Nationalism, Impressionism & 20th Century Music
German Opera
The origin of German opera lies in the development of Mozart’s Singspiel, which gave it a distinctly German character. Beethoven’s traits, though not inherently romantic, influenced Weber, who established the national characteristics. Wagner’s characteristics include striving for total art, operas in German, themes of myths and Germanic legends, and masterful orchestration with leitmotifs. His use of dramatic works is evident in his operas. His first opera, Rienzi, was based on the life
Read MoreLatin Dance Sport: Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive
Latin Dances: Origins and Evolution
Latin dances have been practiced in Europe since the early twentieth century, although their origins can be traced back to the late nineteenth century, when musical styles from Spain, Portugal, Africa, and Indigenous America began to blend and mix.
Of all the existing Latin dances, only five have been included in DanceSport. They are: Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive. Below, we introduce each dance:
Samba
Originally discovered in Africa but developed
Read MoreThe Evolution of Jazz Music: From Work Songs to Be-Bop
The Origins of Jazz Music
Origin of Jazz: Jazz originated from the songs of enslaved people who worked on plantations in the southeastern United States. There are three primary genres: Work Song, Blues, and Gospel song.
Work Songs
Work Song: Work songs helped slaves coordinate their efforts on plantations. The pace of work provided the basis for the chants, accompanied by the sound of the tools. These songs had a sad and melancholy character, but were rhythmic. One worker would start singing, and the
Read More