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Reeba Thompson
English IV
Research paper
5 October, 2010
Food for the Soul
“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music” said Sergei
Rachmaninov, famous musical composer. There is so much to know and discover and so many
ways in which we can grow with the help of music. Music is universal to the world due to its
vast eras, multiple composers, and many styles. Because there is so much to know, there is so
much to say, to think, to feel, and to dream. Sometimes music is the best way to understand all of
that. If one can think of their favorite song and why it is his or her favorite, then all of a sudden
one can relate, and understand music.
Music, throughout history, has been split into six different eras: the Middle Ages, the
Renaissance, the Baroque, the Classical, the Romantic, and the 20th Century. The Middle Ages
era took place during the years 450-1450. The musical context of this time is based from four
different themes: the music of the church, the beginning of musical notation, the birth of
polyphony, and the rise of courtly culture. Music was an essential part of Christian worship. The
daily liturgy provided countless manuscripts; all set to music in the style we call Gregorian
chant. The Gregorian chant is a liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church. The church
served as a significant supporter of the fine arts, especially music. Most of the composers at this
time period, such as Hildegard von Bingen, were greatly connected and sustained by the church
(Eras Online).
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Until the 9th Century rolled around, Europe did not have a developed system of notation,
or the symbols and notes that represent music. Because of the lack of a notation system until the
9th Century and the fact that notating music was a lengthy process which generally only took
place in monasteries and cathedrals, music during the Middle Ages was all mainly used for the
church. In the Middle Ages, polyphony was created. Polyphony is music arranged in multiple
parts for voices or instruments. Its birth became the main focus of composers when composing
music. It also took much specialized instruction to learn. In France, the nobles created an
intricate social order with the court at its core. Music was a key activity of the courts, and even
the upper classes took part. By the fourteenth century, polyphonic music was somewhat replaced
by secular music, and music experts of the time produced secular music rather than the upper
class that did not (Eras Online).
Hildegard von Bingen was a great composer of the Middle Ages. Born to a German,
noble family in 1098, she became one of the first known female composers. Hildegard wrote 77
chants and the first known musical drama “The Ritual of the Virtues.” The Ordo Virtutum and
Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum were her greatest works, made up of her poetry and
compositions. Bingen was a known visionary and prophetess. She began having visions as a
child, but did not record these visions in her work until she was in her mid forties (Estrella).
The second musical era was known as the Renaissance era taking place from 1450-1600.
During the Renaissance, the arts became an imperative asset to learning and customs. As the
world developed, music became more than a science of number. It became a way of wonderful
expression and beautiful artistry. Since the process of printing music was significantly increasing
during the Renaissance, this meant better contact to books about music and to music itself. The
prosperous courts, local governments, and even the religious establishments of the day supported
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music to a massive quantity not previously perceived. As a result of regal development, immense
prosperity poured into European cities and courts. “Travel and the resulting musical exchange
became a driving force for the creation of a more international musical style” (Eras Online).
Josquin Desprez, born in 1440 in Belgium, was a well-known composer of the
Renaissance era. He wrote sacred and secular vocal music. Amongst his known works are 112
motets, 20 masses, 6 mass sections, and 70 chansons. Martin Luther, a well-known supporter of
Desprez’s music, is said to have called Desprez “master of the notes” (Estrella).
During the Baroque Era, 1600-1750, musicians started seeing that music could really
affect the listener in a “real and physical way” (Eras Online). Opera was a great example of this
as well as instrumental music. “Composers experimented with ways of creating impressive
effects” (Eras Online). Music still was an important source in learning and the new and enjoyable
musical styles really added to the Catholic and Protestant customs. Opera, a growing
entertainment at the Baroque time period, was especially enjoyed by all people alike (Eras
Online).
Vocal and instrumental music grew to have styles, such as the French Style, the Italian
Style, or the German Style. Composers were the ones who were acutely aware of the differences
between the styles. Instrumental forms like the concerto and sonata were also developed. A
concerto is generally a solo or for one person to either sing or play, and a sonata is a piece of
music made up for three or four parts. The Baroque Era was really a great example of
experimentation and development of music as a whole (Eras Online).
Johann Sebastian Bach, the youngest of eight children, was born in 1685 in Eisenach,
Germany. He was a very well-known composer of the Baroque Era. Throughout his life, Bach
was taught to play the violin, harpsichord, organ, and was quite the talented singer. It was said
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that as a child he had a wonderful soprano voice and sang in the Michaelis monastery choir and
later in the Mattens Choir. Amongst others, Bach wrote over 200 cantatas, concertos, passions,
and orchestral suites. His most popular works are probably The Saint Matthews Passion, the
Brandenburg concertos, and the orchestral suite, The Well-Tempered Clavier (Eras Online).
According to Espie Estrella, Georg Friedrich Handel, also a well-known composer of the
Baroque period, and also born in 1685, was born Halle, Germany. Along with composing vocal
music like oratorios and operas, he also developed orchestral music, chamber music, and church
music. Handel played an assortment of instruments like the clavichord, organ, violin, and
harpsichord. Some of Handel’s most popular selections include Messiah, A Sunshine’s Summer
Day, Water Music, and Ode for the Queen’s Birthday.
Eras Online said that the Classical period, 1750-1825, was a time where people’s view of
nature and their relationship to it were changing fundamentally. Theories of this time classified
people as liberated representatives of the world. As the world became more “natural,” music was
looked at as more of an “innocent luxury” than a serious way of life. Everyone was in the
process of their own “pursuit of happiness” (Eras Online).Music composers were successful in
keeping up with the high demand of music at this time. In this very sought after music, emotions
and feelings were finally incorporated along with simplicity and balance (Eras Online).
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arguably the most important composer of the Classical era,
was born in 1756 in Salzburg, Austria. His father started him young; he was playing piano at the
age of three. Mozart actually wrote his first pieces of music, a miniature allegro and an andante,
at the mere age of five! Mozart continued writing music- the grand total of compositions is well
over 600. He wrote concertos, operas, oratorios, quartets, symphonies, chamber, vocal, and
choral music. Wolfgang, along with being a wonderful composer, was also a great musician. He
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played not only the piano, but the organ and violin as well. A few of his most famous works are
the Paris Symphony, Post Horn Serenade, Don Giovanni, and the last piece he ever wrote, The
Magic Flute (Estrella).
Ludwig van Beethoven was another important composer of the Classical era; he was born
in 1770 in Bonn, Germany, which was part of the Austrian empire. He was known as a great
improviser along with being very moody. In his twenties or thirties, Beethoven became deaf, but
the cause of deafness is uncertain. Some say it was because his father beat him in the head as a
child, and others say it was from severe abdominal pains he had. Either way, his deafness was a
major handicap. Beethoven overcame that handicap though when he still continued to write
music. He wrote chamber music, sonatas, symphonies and quartets amongst others. Various
works of his are The Funeral March, Moonlight Sonata, Adelaide, and probably his most
famous, Symphonies Three though Nine, which he wrote after becoming deaf (Estrella).
During the Romantic period, which take place from 1825-1900, the music began to tell a
story more so than it being untainted music. Feelings and emotions grew even more, and
composers found ways to express feelings, emotions, tell stories, or even explain ideas.
Musicians additionally considered nature less ideally than Classical composers did, and found it
a place filled with mystery and wonder. Also during the Romantic period, composers really
began emphasizing patriotism and national identity in their work by taking into account other
ethnicities and allowing their music to be influenced by them. Women of this time found more of
an opportunity to express themselves through music as well (Eras Online).
A very well-liked composer of the Romantic era was Felix Mendelssohn. He was born in
1809 in Hamburg, Germany. He played the violin and piano and became a maestro and a
conductor. Mendelssohn wrote symphonies, operas, vocal works, choral works, and organ works.
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He was very close to his family and often performed music with his sister. In fact, he was
especially close to his sister, so much that when she died, he became deeply depressed and died
not even a year after her. His most famous pieces are A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Italian
Symphony, and Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us (Estrella).
Starting in 1900 to present day are the 20th Century Era. Nowadays, there is so much
more variety. There are new musical genres and always new experimentation going on.
Composers of today are also different as some have chosen to leave the past behind and some
want the past to influence all their work. This is why music has become so huge. There is so
much variety and something for everybody. Given that everybody has different tastes, this is a
good thing! Since the turn of the century, music recording and distribution have increased
greatly. If fact, music has become so vast that it can almost be considered another language (Eras
Online).
Bela Bartok, composer of the 20th Century era, was a well-known pianist. He began
composing at age nine. He wrote stage and orchestral works, piano solos, string quartets, cantatas
and folk songs. Beartok became at a professor at Columbia University Bartok, married twice,
and had a son with each. He dedicated his Third Piano Concerto to his second wife Ditta, whom
he also had as a student. Other well-known compositions of his were Duke Bluebeard’s Castle,
The Miraculous Mandarin, and The Wooden Prince (Estrella).
With so many eras and differences amongst them all, it is easy to wonder where
composers found their inspiration to write, not only lyrics, but also the notes and the musical
aspect as well. The Star Spangled Banner, our National Anthem, has an interesting story to it. It
was originally a poem inspired by the beautiful and relieving sight Key had seen on the early
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morning of September 13, 1814, after the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. On
September 7, 1814, Colonel John Skinner and Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, went over to a British
ship to discuss the release of Dr. William Beanes, a good friend of Key, who had been captured
after the British attack on Washington. The British concurred, but because the trio had learned so
much about their upcoming attack on Fort McHenry, they were kept in custody aboard the
British ship, Surprise until the clash had ceased (miketodd.com).
According to Miketodd.com, on September 12, 1814, the British attacked with full force.
The three men watched the onslaught from the deck of the ship. They were able to see the
American flag, for brief moments throughout the battle. This particular flag was made so large so
that the British were to not miss it. On the 13th, the ammunition suddenly came to a halt. Because
of the darkness, the men could not tell if the Americans had won or fallen. Finally, as the sun
began to rise on the 14th, Key looked to the fort and saw that indeed the giant flag was still
waving and this view inspired the very first lines of the anthem, O, say can you see, by the
dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming. The poem, which
was actually called “Defense of Fort McHenry,” was printed as a handbill and given out to
people in the fort.
Where the tune of the anthem came from, no one is for certain, but there are many
potential possibilities. Miketodd.com states that the most popular two seemed to be from the tune
of “Adams of Liberty,” or, very ironically, a British drinking song by the name of “To Anacreon
in Heaven.” The composer of this tune is also uncertain, but was probably a group of
Anacreontic Society members under the direction of John Stafford Smith in 1771. President
Woodrow Wilson in 1916 declared that the banner should be the National Anthem played by the
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military and naval services. It was not until 1931, however, that Congress finally pronounced the
banner as our National Anthem (miketodd.com).
Music has developed a great deal when compared to when it first originated. From the
time periods in which music takes place, to the classy musicians who wrote it, and of course, to
the beautiful music itself, one can say music is like a language; tough to learn, but beautiful
when spoken. Music can tell a story, express a feeling, and even represent a person or a country.
There are no limits to music; because there is a chance every day that, somebody will discover
something new to play or to sing. Music, infinite and universal, will never end- it is the universal
language a melody among the people of the world.
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Annotated Works Cited
“Eras Online.” Sony Music Entertainment. (2001). Web. 6 Oct. 2010.
This website gave me links to all of the different eras of music. There was no title because of that
reason. The article just gives a little insight as to what I will be viewing, which is all about the
different musical eras. It also told me a little about Chopin as well. He was a very talented
composer and interesting to learn about.
Estrella, Espie. "Josquin Desprez." Music Education. Web. 17 Oct. 2010.
This article gave me useful information about Desprez and his musical background. I found it
quite interesting that Martin Luther was such a fan of his. His musical style was also interesting.
Estrella, Espie. "Music History 101: Introduction to Music Education." About.com:Music Education.
(2010). Web. 6 Oct. 2010.
This website gave me great insight on many things music. It started off by giving me a definition
of music. It then went on to explain the six eras of music: the romantic, the classic, the baroque,
the middle ages, the renaissance, and the 20th Century. The website told me about how and
where music originated from.
Estrella, Espie. "Profile of Bela Bartok." Music Education. N.p., 2010. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
Bela Bartok, a composer of the 20th Century era, was an excellent pianist. He began composing at age
nine. Bartok married twice and had a son with each. He dedicated at least one piece to his second
wife Ditta.
Estrella, Espie. "Profile of Felix Mendelssohn." Music Education. N.p., 2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2010.
Mendelssohn, a popular composer of the Romantic era, wrote many compositions still known
today. He was also a fine musician and played the violin and piano. Mendelssohn was very close
to his family, and when his sister died he became depressed and died not even a year after her.
Estrella, Espie. "Profile of George Frideric Handel - George Frideric Handel Biography." Music
Education. N.p., 2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2010.
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Handel was a well-known composer of the Baroque period. He produced a variety of music for
vocal and orchestra alike. Handel also played many instruments and was a well-rounded and
talented musician.
Estrella, Espie. "Profile of Hildegard Von Bingen - Hildegard Von Bingen Biography." Music
Education. Web. 14 Oct. 2010.
Estrella gave me wonderfully useful information about Hildegard von Bingen, She was a well
known composer of the Middle Ages Era. Hildegard wrote many poems and compositions which
were turned into two great works.
Estrella, Espie. "Profile of Johann Sebastian Bach - Johann Sebastian Bach Biography." Music
Education. N.p., 2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2010.
Bach, I found, was a very talented fellow. He was able to play many instruments, sang well, and
composed many musical pieces in his lifetime. He was also married twice and had 20 children.
Estrella, Espie. "Profile of Ludwig Van Beethoven - Beethoven Biography." Music Education. N.p.,
2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2010.
Beethoven was considered a musical genius. Not only did he write beautiful music, but he also played
many instruments. Beethoven became deaf in his twenties or thirties, but overcame his handicap
and still produced many great pieces still know today.
Estrella, Espie. "Profile of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Mozart Biography." Music Education. N.p.,
2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2010.
Mozart was one of the most important composer of the Classical period. He wrote over 600
musical compositions. He actually wrote his first peice of music when he was a merely fiveyears-old. Mozart had much talent and was respected everwhere for his wonderful works.
"Facts About the United State's National Anthem." Office of the Secretary. 18 Dec. 2007. Web. 6 Oct.
2010.
This site gave me some interesting facts about how the United State's National Anthem was
created and about where the inspiration came from. It also told me about the man who wrote the
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anthem, Francis Scott Key. One more thing the website told me was about the flag that helped
Key to write the song.
"The Story of the Star Spangled Banner." The Story of the Star Spangled Banner. Mike Todd. 1 Apr.
2001. Web. 6 Oct. 2010.
As the title says, this article told the story of The Star Spangled Banner and how it was written.
According to the website, the song was written after the Battle of Fort McHenry by Francis Scott
Key, a part-time poet. The banner was originally a poem, but Scott was influenced by a great
tune and it eventually became our nation's song.