Appreciating the Classics....

The definition of "classic" is to serve as a standard, model, or guide, and that is exactly what classical music did for all music to follow. There are three different categories of classical music: early (the Renaissance), common practice (what this post will be focusing on), and modern and contemporary. It started as early as 476, although the most common/popular time was from 1600-1910, during the "common practice." This is where all of the renowned composers, such as Beethoven, Bach, Debussy, Mozart, Brahms, etc. made there debut into music history.

Withing the "common practice" category, there are three forms of classical music, including Baroque, Classical, and Romantic. In the Baroquet period (1600-1760), instruments such as the harpsichord, violin, and pipe organ became popular, as well as musical cantatas and orchestras. Famed composers Pachelbel and Johann Sebastian Bach were from the Baroquet time. The Classical (within classical) time period was approx. from 170-1820, created many of the norms of composition, presentation and style, and introduced the piano as a main instrument in an orchestra. They Sypmhony became a common musical from, and the orchestra's instrumentation increased to include wind instruments. This style was prominent in Italy, France, Germany, and Russia, and included the famous composers Beethoven (also a "Romantic" composer) and Mozart. Lastly is the "Romantic" practice, was from 1820-1910, and paid more attention to the melodies and rhythms, and the more emotional aspects of a composition. The size of a typical orchestra was more than doubled, and compositions were greatly influenced by the European musical ideas. The genre include famous composers, such as Chopin, Wagner, Brahms, and Debussy.

Classical music has influenced all genres since its time, including rock, folk, and television and movie scores, and is still not only remembered, but cherished. It is still taught in homes and schools (elementary to graduate) all over the world, with the belief that knowledge of classical music can actually make an individual more intelligent. There is a multiplicity of amazing classical composers and their compositions- too many to choose from- so I stuck to the most well-known in adding songs to the playlist. A lot of the songs can still be heard in movies, weddings, stores, etc. I also included a personal favorite, from the Trans Siberian Orchestra, which is a current, popular, "rock orchestra," with influences from classical music, which is allowing younger generations to appreciate the classics, with a slightly modern twist. Classical music sure has come a long way!

Playlist: Songs 124-134

The Jazz-Age....

The first time music was referred to as "jazz," was in San Fransisco in 1913. Jazz music is primarily a mixture of African and European music from the 19th century, and has since influence all types of music and created some musical genres, including: swing, big band, bebop, and hip-hop. It started out smooth and blues-y, and evolved into a big-band type music, and features instruments such as the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and vocalist. Many jazz pieces include a "call-and-response" pattern, with interaction from the audience, and soloists, who never play exactly the same lyric twice. Jazz was really a product of the blues, when composers and singers wanted a little more freedom and lively entertainment. In the 1920s, the "Queen of the Blues," Bessie Smith, recorded her first jazz album, and won a Grammy Hall of Fame award for her jazz single, "St. Louis Blues." Two of the most famous types of New Orleans/American jazz were called "Dixieland" and "Swing," and combined brass/blues ensembles with rhythm sections, featuring the piano, guitar, banjo, drums, and a double bass or tuba, and use much faster tempos. "When the Saints Go Marching In" was probably the most famous "Dixieland" composition to date, and the infamous Louis Armstrong was the master of swing music. It is ironic, because in the time of the "Roaring Twenties," jazz was viewed as "immoral" and threatening to old values and times, and was not supported outside of large African American communities, but by the 1930s jazz had made it's mark on history with famous composers/singers, such as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby ("Where the Blue of the Night" was composed by Bing and was used as the theme for his radio show, and was later covered by Rosemary Clooney, another famous jazz artist), and many more, and is still listened to religiously. Those artists are featured on the newly-updated playlist, along with the famous theme to "The Cosby Show," which, due to Bill Cosby's love of jazz music, was a jazz piece.

Playlist: Songs 135-141

Music on the Big Screen....

A movie is not complete without the music. I believe the music can either make or break the movie....it allows more emotions to be brought to life, fitting the mood of any given scene. Music in movies are called "film scores," not to be confused with the movie soundtrack. A film score is written by a composer of the director's choice, and s/he writes a specific piece, or pieces, for that movie. Film scores are instrumental, and did not start until the 1920s, when the films were silent, so a pianist would play the score live in the theatre. Once the composer has the film script, they then begin writing the score. Some composers still like to write sheet music (on paper), but in the 1950s, with excelling technology, most composer's began using a computer-based environment, and would work on the score there until the final orchestra recording. The orchestra records the music in front of a large screen portraying the movie, allowing the conductor, who is often the composer, to synchronize the music with the film.

On the playlist are some of the most famous film scores. Imagine "Jaws," which may be most well-known for it's music, without the music...the shark is about the attack, and the people don't have a clue. Add the music, and it creates a whole new level of suspense. Or "Indiana Jones," with it's exciting, staccato music, which increases the movie's adventure. And remember when you were watching "The Lion King" as a child, and Mufasa's ghost comes back to speak with Simba, saying, "Remember who you are. You are my son," and Simba runs after him begging him no to leave him again. I think I teared up when I watched it. Now picture that scene without the music....the emotion just would not have been the same. Here's a video of it, in case you've forgotten. :) If you really think about scenes in a specific movie, without the music, the mood shifts. Film scores add so much emotion to a film, and make for a great soundtrack!

Playlist: Songs 142-146

A Dance Through the Music of Ballet....

Ballet music appeared in the 1630s, but did not become recognized until the mid-1800s. Even then, composing ballet pieces was considered a demeaning job, filled by otherwise unsuccessful composers. This dance was most often found in a transition point of an opera- short, and allowing only enough time for the actors to change costumes and sets. At first, ballet was a story told without words, so the music was very important. Gradually, opera-styled singing became a part of the ballet, and the story became only partly danced, and partly sung...the music became less and less important. However, a defining change was made in the early 1800s, when dancers simply changed their dancing shoes. Ballerinas decided to wear ballet slippers, allowing them to dance more freely and gracefully than when wearing their hard shoes. Because of this, the ballet music could return to its original form, expressive and flowing, and responsible for telling the story of the ballet. In 1924, ballet music split into two separate directions: modernism and jazz-dance. Jazz dance is similar to the previously mention opera-incorporated ballet, using words to tell the story rather than just the music. Modernism ballet is more typically heard of, and is the romantic ballet told simply through a classic-style of music, not influenced by jazz or any other kind of popular music.

There are five new ballet songs on the playlist, as you can hear:
The first is by Russian composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-93). He is most famous for his compositions in the ballets, "Swan Lake," "The Nutcracker," and, "The 1812 Overture/Concert No. 1," which is the song on the playlist. You may click on the titles of the other two ballets to see performances of them, as well as hear his beautiful symphonies.
Second is Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971). "The Rite of Spring" actually caused a riot when it premiered, as Stravinsky was often pushing the musical boundaries, deeming him as a "musical revolutionary." Although he was born in Russia, he moved to the US in 1939, when WWII began, where he then taught at Harvard University. Stravinsky now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and posthumously received the Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1987.
Next is yet another Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953). He wrote his first composition at age five, and his first opera at seven. He is known as one of the "greatest composers of the 20th century."
I think we have all heard the "Sabre Dance," by Russian composer Aram Khachaturian (1903-78). Random fact: He composed the Armenian state anthem, and in 1998 was honored by appearing on their money.
Joseph-Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) was actually a French composer. He made an American tour in 1928, which was the root of his international fame. Among the twenty-five cities he visited was New Orleans, where he fell in love with jazz music and later started including some jazz elements into his music. Ravel was also friends with the revered classical French composer, Achille-Claude Debussy, who is also currently on my playlist.

Playlist: Songs 147-151