Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour (Live in New York)

The concert under review is titled “Monterrey Jazz Festival on Tour.” The performance took place at Lincoln Center, New York, on March 15th, 2019, in front of an audience of approximately 2,500 people. The idea of the organizers was to capture the essence of the famous festival in a single...

Impact of James Brown on Modern Dances

To be a good dancer, one needs an innate sense of rhythm and style. Dance is not just the art of performing body movements; it is about revealing one’s soul and interpretation of one’s ideas. Being a physical and cognitive activity, it united many people worldwide who dedicated their lives...

The Pelageya Group’s Live Concert in the US

“Pelageya” is a Russian folk group named after its front singer’s name. In 2016, the USA witnessed a big live concert of “Pelageya” that lasted about 1,5 hours. Their music makes the audience feel part of a subculture that arose among the fans of Tolkien and other elven fantasy with...

Arnold Schoenberg’s Musical Style

Arnold Schoenberg establishes himself as one of the leading radical composers of the 20th century by establishing a novel approach to harmony and composition development (Schoenberg: Biography). He extended the style that was demonstrated by preceding German composers of the Romantic period: Brahms and Wagner. Notably, Wagner and Brahms worked...

Madonna as a Controversial Artist of the 20th Century

One of the prominent controversial artworks of the 20th century related to sexual revolution and women empowerment is a song called Like a Virgin performed by Madonna in 1984. The name of the song alone led to the establishment of versatile conversations and arguments in the conservative American society of...

Music and Mathematics Relationship

Introduction There are a lot of speculations concerning the relationship between mathematics and music. The best dimension thou in which an individual can comprehensively understand the relationship between these two subjects is in participatory of both entities. Without participating it would be difficult to blend and understand the two subjects....

Hip-Hop Musical Impact on the World

Introduction Hip-hop is a musical genre and part of a wider culture of hip-hop. The hip-hop culture has several hallmarks to its characteristics; they include rapping, emceeing, freestyling, scratching among other attributes. Its origin can be traced back to rapping in 1970 Southern side of Bronx, New York. Rapping is...

Pablo Picasso’s “The Three Dancers” Painting

At the beginning of the 20th century, the machine age and the perfection of the photograph had reduced the prestige of art as a unique form of expression. In reaction to the concept that art offered no greater means of expression than the simple representation of the external world, artists...

The Birth of Jazz Fusion: Miles Davis

Introduction Jazz is not just music; it is a way of life, a way of thinking, and the way of being. Initially associated with African-American communities, providing an outlet for their thoughts, feelings, and artistic expression, Jazz became a worldwide phenomenon as one of the most fast-growing and popularized musical...

Castrati Singers: History, Impact, and Modern Perspectives

Abstract This paper focuses on the study of a castrato’s phenomenon from the perspective of the history of music. To better understand the role castrati singers played in opera, along with the impact of castration, the nature of their singing and bodily effects are explored. The prohibition of male voices...

Swing Dance in History and Modern Trends

Introduction The history of swing dancing had its roots in the distant past when the culture of African Africans and Europeans intertwined, and society felt an irresistible desire to erase boundaries between traditional and street choreography. The philosophy of swing is simple and attractive – it is an opportunity to...

Globalization’s Impact on Pop Music: Diversity & Uniformity

Abstract Globalization is rightfully considered one of the major influences shaping the modern world. Aside from its direct influence in economic and political areas, its impact can be traced in social, cultural, and artistic domains, including music. However, the connection between globalization and music remains among the least popular topics...

The Beatles’ “Let It Be” and Youth Music Culture

Introduction The 1960s in Europe are associated with several historical and cultural changes that are often reflected in European music popular at the time. One of the most popular cultural icons of the 1960s in Europe was the band known as The Beatles. Originated in the United Kingdom, this band...

Music Video Making Movement as Art Tendency

Introduction The paper offers a descriptive overview of the video works, which were created by the inspiring MTV directors and gifted filmmakers, Spike Jonze, and Michel Gondry. The analysis of their popular accomplishments claims that both video creators gained their immense popularity in the world of TV, according to their...

Popular and Serious Music

Introduction Music forms a significant part of entertainment in the modern world, and there are various ways people present their songs to their audiences. The compositions and contexts of different types of music determine their audiences, presentation, and suitability. Music has various components that enable it to play its roles...

The Jazz Music Movement: A Listening Journal

Charlie Parker, known as Yardbird, is one of the most significant music innovators in the 20th century because he brought bebop and influenced many musicians and the entire jazz movement. He became a famous figure in the mid-20th century because he made jazz rely on virtuosic techniques, fast tempos, and...

Music in Films: The Psychology in Film Music

Often, music plays the role of a mood transmitter of a cinematic picture and sets the tone. “Dexter Opening Theme” throughout the introduction, despite its ease, builds tension and suspense. Hence, quite upbeat, joyful music plays against the background of the morning routine of the main character (Ramanjiah, 2011). It...

Gala-Concert of Astana Opera Discussion

The piece chosen for analysis is the Opening Gala by Astana Opera, a Kazakh national organization. This music concert was performed in 2013, and at the moment, Astana Opera had been established recently, so the Opening Gala presents the first massive demonstration of the musicians’ collective. Moreover, the Opening Gala...

Demi Lovato Diagnostics: American Singer

Introduction The public figure selected for analysis in this paper is Demi Lovato, a famous American singer, and songwriter. Their full name is Demetria Devonne Lovato, and she was born on August 20, 1992, in New Mexico to Dianna and Patrick Lovato. The parents divorced when Lovato was only two...

Same Song, Different Styles: Musical Elements Analysis

Throughout its entire existence, music has performed many functions in people’s lives. It is intended not only for entertainment but also for education and development. With one type of music, a person rejoices and relaxes, while with the other feels complicated emotions and reflects on both personal and general social...

Musical Instruments: Chordophones and Idiophones

Introduction There are two basic types of musical instruments: chordophones and idiophones. Chordophones are instruments that produce sound from vibrations of strings, like a guitar, Chinese zeng, violin, banjo, Chinese pipa, and hammered dulcimer. Idiophones are musical instruments that create sound by vibrating when struck. Some common idiophones are gongs,...

“Le Galop” by Henri Duparc: Key Characteristics of the Composition

The French composer Henri Duparc, born in 1848, planned to connect his life with jurisprudence as a child. He usually destroyed his early work when dissatisfied with aspects of his style or with the work itself. In 1868 Henri Duparc’s Five Melodies for voice and piano was published, his first...

Culture and Evolution of Hip-Hop in South Korea

Introduction Korean hip-hop, otherwise known as K-hip hop, is a subgenre of hip-hop music from South Korea. The audience listens to hip-hop primarily as “underdog music,” the voice of the disadvantaged (Song, 2019). The hip-hop originated in South Korea and canonical themes in hip-hop glorify the established way of life...

Analysis of Piano Trio No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich

Introduction In this work, it is required to characterize the performed musical work. The analyzed performance of Piano Trio No. 2, written by the Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich was held at Mountain Bay College as part of the chamber music festival. This concert took place in 2020, while Shostakovich’s suite...

Impact of Kendrick Lamar Music on Racism

Introduction Popular music, and rap music in particular, has always played a major role in addressing social and economic issues of the mankind. Many rap songs were written with the idea of reflecting topical problems and making people think over the ways to resolve them. Kendrick Lamar’s music has stood...

Ensemble Chaconne Performance of European Masters

The Background Ensemble Chaconne, who have been playing together since 1985, are flutist Peter H. Bloom, Carol Lewis on viola da gamba, Olav Chris Henriksen on lute, and English guitar. The European Masters in the 18th Century London program was a bouquet of delightful music; most composers were not Londoners...

Music from Bali with Gamelan Gong Kebyar of Belaluan

Bali is the name given to an island in Indonesia whereby a musical style referred to as Gamelan is popular and unique. Its modern form, called the Gamelan Gong Kebyar, has become ridiculously appreciated by the people and is believed to emerge during the 1950s. According to Bonds (479), the...

Hip-Hop Music, Culture, and Technology in Society

Introduction Hip-hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a category of popular composition developed in the US by African Americans with efforts reinforced by Latin Americans. The genre consists of a style of music accompanied by rapping, a chanted rhythmic speech, and vigorous dancing (Forman 158). Hip-hop music...

Essential Techniques for a Musician’s Tool Kit

Musical technique refers to instrumental players’ ability to exercise optimal control over their instruments to generate the desired musical effects. Improving the skill often requires practicing exercises that increase muscle sensitivity and agility. The compositional style is the composers’ talent and knowledge to create music. It differs from the instrumental...

The Elio Villafranca Jazz Concert’s Special Features

Jazz music entails a complex musical genre that requires advanced training to synchronize with other players and instruments. The typical reviewer may experience difficulties in detecting many visual and phonetic aspects throughout the musical performance. A musical performance involves several interactions between the music, text, artists, audience, and environment, all...

Critical Aspects Attributed to Madonna’s Success

The case outlines the success of a prominent Queen of pop Madonna Louise Ciccone who successfully went through her music career. Despite her career, she also owned Chelsea Girl LLC, a limited liability company, and holds one-third of the record company Maverick. Besides, she is among those pioneers of media,...

Contemporary RnB (Rich & Beautiful) Music

Introduction The genre of RNB appeared across the Southern areas of the United States in the 1940s, featuring electric guitar, piano, and drum sounds. Numerous blues musicians were able to release their new music specifically in the South, where the level of appreciation in regard to blues and derivative genres...

Electric Guitar in African Music

Introduction On a global scale, music today is difficult to imagine without a guitar, which has become a cornerstone of a variety of styles and genres of music. In particular, the electric guitar has been integrated into almost all contemporary musical styles, allowing artists to adjust their technical features to...

“Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” Composition by Benjamin Britten

Benjamin Britten Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is both a study guide and a musical masterpiece. It combines the harmonious sound of many instruments and their unique tonalities. The significant components are woodwind, brass, percussion, and strings. The first category is based on flutes, oboes, bassoons, and clarinets. The...

Jazz Musician Comprehension: John “Dizzy” Gillespie

Jazz is a popular style of music originating from a blend of blues and ragtime. There are many outstanding musicians that shaped the history and development of music. One of them is John “Dizzy” Gillespie, who invented the contemporary trumpet playing in jazz. According to Ulven (2020), Gillespie was a...

Takht and Dabke as Part of Musical Heritage

My family’s musical heritage Since my early childhood, my parents and especially my grandparents have taught me that music is an essential part of our culture. I agree with them because growing up, I have realized how much it influenced my identity. That is why I knew what music they...

Modern Ballet and J-Setting Southern Dance Styles

The dance represents a spectacular art of bodily movements and symbolic communication about the human experience. The art of dancing is closely intertwined with the symphonic musical accompaniment and, as a rule, with the lyrical background. In this essay, I will analyze three dances that vary in style, tile of...

Analysis of Using Sound in Media

Introduction Sound remains a mostly undervalued medium in contemporary media despite significant technological breakthroughs which allow for complex manipulation and effects. Sound can be used for communication, cultural expression, and modality of experience. Ubiquitous soundscapes are created through prototypes of speech, music, and atmosphere (Jensen 2010). This report will investigate...

“Follow the Leader” by Eric B. & Rakim

Introduction “Follow the Leader” is a hip-hop song by an American rap duo Eric B. & Rakim, the stage names of Eric Barrier and William Griffin. Released in 1988, the song was critically acclaimed and is still considered among the most prominent and influential compositions produced by the rap duo....

Music Appreciation: A “Great” Composer

  The Baroque The classical era Which historical period? The Baroque period represents Western music composed between 1600 and 1750, following the Renaissance and leading up to the classical era. The term is borrowed from the Portuguese language and means an oddly shaped pearl. The music during this period was...

“Singin’ in the Rain” by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen

Singin’ in the Rain is a 1952 musical comedy directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. This film is significant as it was shot in the epoch of transition from silent films to sound ones. As I watched Singin’ in the Rain, I noticed that MGM Studios used the shift...

Contemporary Russian Folk Music

Among European folk music traditions, Russian folk music is the one with the most complex and exciting history. Having survived the centuries-long ban on instruments and the authoritarian cultural policy of the Soviet times, it now aims to find its place in modern popular culture while retaining its traditional spirit....

Rap Artistry and Production Concept

Introduction My career of choice is rap artistry and production; while this may not be the traditional answer you would get when asking someone what they want to be when they grow up, this has been my dream for a few years now. Rap has been an integral part of...

Live Musical Performances and Concerts’ Analysis

Introduction Music can awaken a wide range of emotions of both the amateur and the sophisticated listener. Live musical performance expands a person’s emotional range and may even go beyond that reaching those unknown types of feelings that people have not yet given a name. That is why I watched...

Huun-Huur-Tu Live Musical Performance in California

In 2008, in a live performance in Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California, “Huun-Huur-Tu” remained committed to their homeland’s centuries-old music style. The group exists for over a quarter-century, providing its fans with a lively, smooth, and warm sound. Their lyrics include the topics of nature, love stories, their homeland, sadness, and...

Music Listening Journal Blog: Song Review

Life So Right “Life So Right” is a song written and performed by a talented young woman from Holland, Mariska Baars. She has been singing since 2002 under the pseudonym “Soccer Committee.” Almost all of her songs, including “Life So Right” belong to the genre of lowercase. This music genre...

Kathakali Dance Theater Overview

Theatre plays a significant role in the history of humankind. It is a creative method to learn about a specific culture and the history of its people. It can grab one’s attention and bring entertainment, joy, or even sorrow. For example, India has numerous unique representations of this art, one...

The Britain Music of the 1960s

Introduction Music forms an integral part of any culture’s tradition and practices. In the 1960s, a new tradition in the music industry emerged in Liverpool and London that would transform Britain’s culture forever. The influence these two distinct regions provided the emergence of several bands and songs that became sensational...

The Passenger Opera Analysis

The Passenger by the composer Mieczysław Weinberg is the opera based on the autobiographical book of the same name by the Polish writer Zofia Posmysz. The libretto was written by the Russian music critic Alexander Medvedev. The opera has been praised by critics for its stunning music, and at the...

Landscape Depicted in Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven

Introduction Beethoven is one of the most successful classical artists. His symphonies such as symphony erotica have remained relevant for a long time. Nature and natural landscape were important to classical and romanticism artists. Beethoven’s love for nature and natural landscape is especially featured in his sixth symphony, Pastoral symphony....

Career of Sound Engineer

Introduction People’s professions are usually viewed from the most known sides. Those, who treat people, are thought to be doctors, miners are considered to extract coal, and sound engineers deal with music instruments. The important part is that most people do not even guess that all professions deal with lots...

“Evoking Sound: Fundamentals of Choral Conducting” by Jordan

James Jordan, in his book Evoking Sounds, Fundamentals of Choral Conducting 2nd edition, gives an overview of how music creators can allow their music to “speak” to the right audiences. In chapter 23, the author explains that there are four main phases that have to be considered when creating memorable...

Grammy Awards 2020: Controversies, Winners, and Viewership Decline

Introduction The ceremony of awarding the Grammys is among the most-watched events in the U.S. On 26 January, the 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony took place in Los Angeles. However, it was overshadowed by the recent dismissal of Deborah Dugan and Kobe Bryant’s death. This paper will provide details of these...

Johnny Cash: The Man Who Mixed Five Genres in One Song

Introduction Even with today’s popularity of eclecticism, not many artists can mix five genres in one song and fewer have done so repeatedly and with staggering popularity. Rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel cannot be further apart. This unlikely melange of sounds is precisely what made Johnny Cash...

Bob Marley’s “Running Away” Song Performed by Monty Alexander

Introduction First and foremost I would like to say that while I am a fan of jazz music I prefer the smooth jazz sounds of artists such as Vijay Iyer and Tom Harell rather than the work of the Monty Alexander Trio. This is not me disparaging their work rather...

Music During the Vietnam War: An Intangible Weapon

American music during the 1960s decade was often associated with the combat zone and the military. Songs were mirroring the nation’s current mood, reflecting common pain, disapproval, and lack of conformity with the political decisions the leaders of the country were taking. Although this music was initially written to express...

Bachata in the Dominican Republic

Introduction There are a plethora of music genres based on Spanish guitar motives. Bachata is one of the most popular embranchments of traditional dancing and music styles that originated in the Dominican Republic. The following paper will cover and discuss the history of Bachata and its role in the culture...

Greil Marcus’s “Like a Rolling Stone”: Analyzing Its Cultural Impact on Music

Introduction Songs bring different flashbacks and memories to different individuals. Songs sometimes keep history, which reflects the events or activities that took place during the song’s composition. Moreover, songs reflect and forecast personal, cultural, political, and communal memories, usually with significant events or occurrences. Like a rolling stone is a...

An Album “Lemonade” by Beyonce

Lemonade, an album by Beyonce, is arguably among her most multi-layered works. While primarily associated with black women empowerment, it also takes on the celebration of the black culture and the awe of femininity to the new level. The album is most strongly associated with the song “Formation” and an...

Belly Dance in Russia

Introduction Foreign dance classes have become popular in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union (Radchenko 1). Many young women and men have started to practice foreign dances for professional reasons or just for fun. In Russia, Belly Dance, Irish Dance, Indian Dance, Flamenco, and Swing Dance have become...

The Clarinet History, Manufacturers and Composers

The average person has no idea that the clarinet is not an example of a musical instrument that traces its origins from ancient times. They will be surprised to know that the clarinet was invented in the beginning of the 18th century. Nevertheless, less than a century after its invention...

“Manha de Carnaval” by Stam Getz

Introduction Manha de Carnaval is, perhaps, one of the most easily recognizable specimens of bossa nova. Featured in a movie, it was destined to become the staple of the genre. Nevertheless, Manha de Carnaval managed to evolve into a separate musical piece incorporating slow, mellow elements and the ones that...

The Song “Drifting” by Andy McKee

Sound The unique aspect of the song “Drifting” by Andy McKee is that even though he is merely using a simple string guitar he is able to derive a gamut of different tones from a single instrument (Drifting, 1). There is no singing, no overly elaborate background music, no wailing,...

Tracing the Evolution of Pop Music: The Rise of the Hip-Hop Genre

Introduction Hip-hop gained mainstream interest and popularity since the nineties when the MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice music albums topped the Billboard pop charts. The ever-expanding audience of the hip-hop culture has raised the question of the authentic rap music that is available in the market. Some believe that the...

Michael Jackson Vs Elvis Presley

Introduction Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley are arguably the most influential figures in American music, having contributed to the evolution of the country’s popular music culture in the 20th century. Although the careers and lives of Jackson and Presley are distinct and different, a number of similarities exist within their...

Music Artist Tupac Shakur

Introduction Tupac Shakur was an American artist who had great influence on the hip-hop genre of music in the United States. He was born in 1971 and died in 1996 at the age of 25 (Johnson and McQuillar 3). His notoriety is evident from the number of records sold before...

Musical Pieces of the Baroque Era

Introduction This paper explores musical pieces of the Baroque era through the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Two musical pieces produced by the two authors will be compared to analyze their similarities and differences. These pieces will be evaluated to ascertain how they contributed to the...

Elephants in the Music Room: The Future of Quirk Historicism

Summary Quirk Historicism’s introduction discusses the recent trend among music scholars to use objects trouvés and historical micronarratives in their interpretations as a reaction to New Historicism. Musicology may be one of the most inclusive fields in the humanities despite sharing a suffix with taxonomic endeavors like zoology or early...

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Played at the Concert

Classical concerts by modernized orchestras typically have a specific audience in mind. However, due to the artists’ high professionalism and international renown, some performances are exceptional and not just for particular audiences. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, one of the most renowned groups of the modern era, will be evaluating Beethoven’s...

The “Magic Flute” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Introduction Music plays a massive role in every person’s life, as it is a means of self-expression and can help to cope with difficult moments of life and fully experience happy ones. Classical instrumental works are particularly important, as their depth and permeation with various feelings and emotions are unique....

The Unclouded Day Song by Homer Rodeheaver

Summary Web: www.youtube.com. Gospel music is exemplified by the recording of the song “Unclouded Day” by Homer Alvan Rode Heaver on September 10, 1913. The tenor vocalist is backed by primarily brass and wind instrumentation, giving the song a homophonic texture. It has a moderate tempo because it is neither...

Mozart and Classical Period Music

Classical Music Was Once Revolutionary Everyone would agree that music nowadays is one of modern global civilization’s central, attention-grabbing, and brightest cultural and political drivers. Contemporary music serves many purposes, from self-reflection and sharing one’s feelings and experiences to criticizing politicians and promoting ideas of diversity and inclusion. According to...

The “Hamilton” Musical and Its Significance

Introduction In 2020, a video version of the acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton was released on Disney+. It was invented by the actor, singer and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda – and he also played the main role. The plot is based on a real biography of an American politician, reformer and finance...

The Need of Censorship in the Music Industry

Introduction Recently, it has become more challenging for parents and the authorities to make sure that children do not get access to inappropriate materials that may affect their mental system or make them grow up too early. The situation becomes even more difficult because of freedom of speech and personal...

Haitian Compas Music and Its Crossover Crisis

Introduction The culture of Haiti is a unique mixture of old traditions and new influences, coming together to create a complex and distinct national image. Haitian music has been affected by individuals who lived on the Caribbean Island before the colonization. It is comprised of a broad scope of influences...

Medieval and Modern Music Comparison

To describe in one article the features of the performance of music of six centuries – from the 9th century to the 14th – a task that requires such a level of generalization, behind which, perhaps, the music itself will not be visible. If you look at the Earth from...

Traditional Dance in Immigrants’ Lives

Introduction Different traditional cultures are forms of the primary self-organization of the human community. With confidence in inextricable unity with the community, a person gains a sense of security and belonging in traditional culture. As a vital part of the culture, dance promotes unity with society and the appearance of...

Blake Shelton’s “Home” Music Video Analysis

A work of a musical artist often conveys specific ideas to the audience. Understanding the central message of a given musical video is essential for a thorough evaluation of the song, as well as for outlining the author’s original ideas and beliefs. Multiple singers produce lyric videos for the pieces...

Five Innovative Jazz Techniques: Overview

Innovative Jazz Techniques The process of learning to play jazz music is often compared with the gradual mastery of a foreign language. Jazz really is a separate musical language in which musicians communicate both with each other and with an attentive listener. Jazz music implies maximum freedom of interplay within...

The Biography of Duke Ellington

Ellington was a multi-talented musician and bandleader in the world of jazz. American people were happy with the music from his 50-year career, which created thousands of scores. It was not just the music he created throughout his career that made him great. He provided consistent entertainment and helped pave...

“People Get Old” by Lori McKenna: A Song Analysis

The song I would like to discuss is “People Get Old” by Lori McKenna. I think that the piece is sad, as the singer describes how her father and now she is getting old. The lyrics discuss small moments in the family’s life and the small tasks that need to...

Songwriting Process and Its Main Phases

Writing a song does not follow a specific structure, and while some songwriters adhere to a semi-formal or formal process, others tend to work randomly. However, it must be pointed out that using the latter approach to songwriting often results in less predictable outcomes. The lack of or limited success...

Big Band and Combo Jazz: Musical Groups Comparison

The purpose of this essay is to compare two types of musical groups, big band and combo jazz. Both of these directions are deeply rooted in the history of the music of the 20th century and received the most significant development and popularity in America in the 1930s and 1940s....

The Importance of Music and Its Impact on Mind

Certain music can enhance the mind, increase memory, relieve stress, accelerate learning, help concentrate, focus, and unleash inner abilities. When I try to sing jingle commercials or TV soundtracks, I am better at reciting the old jingle songs. This is, I believe, because they are on repeat everywhere once a...

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony: Concert Review

Introduction Concerts of classical music performed by contemporary orchestras tend to target a specific audience. However, some of the performances are outstanding and not limited to individual viewers due to musicians’ high professionalism and world recognition. As a concert for review, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony will be considered by the Chicago...

Music From the Renaissance Into the Baroque

Melody Melody in music is any single and complete note of countenance in favor of large intervals. The objective of melody is to circumvent any impression of tonality (Kerman & Tomlinson, 2019). In the Renaissance era, the melody was chiefly polyphonic, with each voice possessing a unique bass line (Cherevko...

The Virtual “Anti-Corona” Concert Review

The Concert Environment The virtual “anti-corona” concert with Albrecht Mayer (oboe) and Kimiko Imani (piano) was performed as a response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. It consists of four prominent works by Johann Sebastian Bach arranged for the aforementioned instruments (“Albrecht Mayer Plays Bach’s Air”). The concert takes place at...

Romantic Era: Repertoire of the 19th and 20th Century

Introduction The romantic period refers to the period between 1820 and 1900, the period during which musical compositions included “the use of large ensembles, extreme emotions, and wild orchestration” (Romantic Period – Music from 1820 to 1900, n.d). The word Ballet is of French origin. Though historical studies show that...

Pathos, Ethos, and Logos in Mean It by Lauv and LANY

Introduction The modern music industry is so vast and developed that it offers music and music videos for all tastes. The song that the author of this work has chosen to analyze is Mean It. The singers are Lauv and LANY. The author believes that the genre of this song...

Music Therapy: Review

Introduction Music therapy is the controlled use of music in treatment, rehabilitation, and a means of optimizing creativeness and pedagogical work. Behavioral therapists widely adopt music to treat depressive conditions. Since the mechanism of the effect is not always clear, music therapy sometimes seems like a kind of miracle, giving...

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sacred Cantata BWV 29

Introduction The sacred cantatas constitute a significant part of the scope of the music of the era of Baroque. The music that worshiped God and his creations in instrumental and vocal pieces aimed at praying the Creator. Being predominantly church music, sacred cantatas were constructed in strict form and under...

“Spring” by Vivaldi

Listening to the recording of “Spring”, first movement, by Vivaldi is an extreme pleasure for many individuals, and I am one of them. The chosen instruments perfectly imitate natural sounds, provoking the required emotions and causing the necessary effects. For example, violins are used to imitate a delightful birdsong and...

Jay-Z, Biography and Influence

Shawn Corey Carter, also known by his stage name Jay-Z, is a successful American musician, producer, and businessman, renowned for his influence on the hip-hop genre. Born in Brooklyn in 1969, Carter was raised by his mother with his three older siblings (Jay-Z Biography). Having a rough childhood, the boy...

Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”: Review the Song

Introduction Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is a song that mostly anyone knows because of its catchy tune and easy-to-understand lyrics. What is hard about getting that the song is about dreams being broken, right? However, what many do not understand is that the song speaks about estrangement and...

Music Distribution: Defining Distribution Channels

Every commodity ends up in the hands of the user who is the consumer of the particular good or service. However, in some instances, a product may have to go through intermediaries before it finally gets to its end user. Intermediaries are normally used by companies for the purposes of...

A Mythical Miracle on Utube: Tchaikovsky Concert

This e-concert is amazing. There are three different orchestras playing some of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s best pieces: The Tchaikovsky concert program began with the 1812 Overture with full cannon and bells as done to celebrate the 150th birthday of the composer in a gala with Yuri Temirkanov conducting the Leningrad...

Pink Floyd: The Rock Legends

Pink Floyd is an English Rock Band that was formed in 1965 with its active years being 1965 to 1983 and 1987 to 1999 and several one -off reunions between the years 2003 and 2007. The band originated from Cambridge and London England (Keno). Pink Floyd first started as a...

What Are ‘Concept Musicals’ and Its Specifics?

Introduction Stephen Sondheim has been unique and instrumental in the development of the ‘concept musical’. It is important when analyzing Mr. Sondheim’s works to not confuse this idea with the more well-known use of the word as it relates to the ‘director’s concept’ of a play. (Banfield 4) The analysis...

Music and Poetry Perception Ideas

Introduction From all art forms, music possesses the greatest force of influence on the person, directly addressing to his soul, to the world of own experiences, and moods. It can be called the language of feelings, and the model of human emotions. Music plays a huge role in the course...

Wynton Marsalis: Jazz in Marciac 2009

Concert and Performers This report will cover the performance by Wynton Marsalis and the ensemble at the Jazz in Marciac festival in 2009. Wynton Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, musician, and composer from New Orleans, Louisiana, with an impressive repertoire ranging from jazz to classical music. The musician’s vision...

Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Purpose, Question at Issue, and Assumptions The live concert I viewed is the Queen’s show at Live Aid in 1985 (“Queen – Live at LIVE”). I will analyze the event and one of the songs, in particular, Bohemian Rhapsody. The song’s author is Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of Queen....

Music Listening: “Firestone” Song by Kygo

The composition “Firestone” is performed by Kygo, who is its composer, featuring Conrad Sewell released in December 2014 (“Kygo – Firestone ft. Conrad Sewell (Official Video)”). The song belongs to the genre of tropical house, which has been perceived as a sub-genre of deep house. The reason for listening to...

Mozart Meets Beethoven: Influences in Music

Introduction Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers and pianists that had a significant influence on Classical music (Wooley 34). His music career started at a tender age, and his parents did everything to ensure that he achieved the level of success he desired. Scholars have argued that...

The Evolution and Characteristics of the Son Music Genre in Mexico

Mexican music includes a range of genres, and the son is one of them. The very word “son” means “sound” (Noble 82). It refers to the regional music that can be mostly heard in eastern, western, and central parts of the country. It is played using such instruments as haupanguera,...

Historical Context and Evolution of Opera and Instrumental Music

Opera Aiming at restoring the Greek drama, Peri and Caccini, the members of Bardi’s camerata, introduced the notion of opera. Still, it was during the Baroque period that opera received proper attention and became a particularly elaborate work of music, singing, dancing and design. The notions of opera seria (drama)...

Chicago Blues: Cultural Expression and Global Popularity

The heightened commercialization and global popularity of the Chicago blues seem all the more fascinating since it represents some sort of cultural expression that is strongly attached to local settings as well as regional locations (Grazian 8). The blues triggers a deep adoration among its fans, unlike the modern adult...

“El Cielito Lindo” Composition by Los Rogacianos

The composition selected for the analysis in this paper is called El Cielito Lindo. This is a popular Mexican song traditionally performed in Spanish, but there are several translations of this composition to other languages. El Cielito Lindo was written in 1882 and promoted by the composer called Quirino Mendoza...

Evolution in Modern Indian Music

Introduction The Republic of India is the second most populated country in the world and the seventh-largest geographical area. A multitude of ethnic groups with distinct cultural traditions, languages, and dialects comprise the South Asia subcontinent, and such a factor is reflective in the music. Rich and diverse, Indian folk...

Reality Music Television Shows

Forewords Often, advancement in technology has been attributed to the great transition of the music industry. As such, the role of reality television shows in the advancement and growth of the music industry has tended to be underestimated. In effect, the reality television music shows and their central role in...

“Men in Suits”: A Fusion of Dance Styles on Dancing With The Stars

Introduction Dance shows are manifestations of creativity and a source of inspiration and entertainment. Dancing With The Stars is a popular show that hosts dance competitions between celebrities guided by professional choreographers. The dance analyzed in this essay was shown in season 14 of this show in 2012 and presented...

The Cultural Heritage of Irish Dance: History, Costumes, and Global Influence

Introduction Irish dance is one of the most unique and multifaceted dances I have studied. This dance is a vital part of Ireland’s cultural heritage and has an ancient history that dates back several centuries. Irish dance continues to be performed worldwide, especially at competitions and dance festivals. Relevance of...

An Analysis of “Dreaming with a Broken Heart”: A Poignant Dance of Heartbreak

Introduction “Dreaming with a Broken Heart” is an expressive and heartrending postmodern dance presented by Twitch and Kherington, two remarkable dancers with adroit technical skills and a comprehensive understanding of the choreography. This dance, created by Stacey Tookey, was performed on the well-known dance contest program “So You Think You...

Evolution of Griot Music: Traditional and Modern Influences in Atlanta Kaira

Introduction The traditions of griots and the peculiarities of the implementation of their music under the influence of modern trends is a complex issue. The composition Atlanta Kaira and its older and newer versions will be used for the analysis (GrrlRaisin). The two versions of this piece of music show...

The History and Work of Merce Cunningham

Merce Cunningham was a well-known American director and performer. He began his dance career in the twentieth century as an associate of Martha Graham’s company (“Merce Cunningham”). He established the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, which rose to prominence for its avant-garde style of choreography (“Merce Cunningham”). This paper will look...

Claudio Monteverdi’s Life and Work

Introduction Claudio Monteverdi has been an essential figure in the development and evolution of Renaissance music. The Italian composer is often addressed as the person who majorly contributed to the establishment of the opera genre, which, later on, dominated the Baroque art scene. Needless to say, his unorthodox approach to...

The “This is America” Song by Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino’s song “This is America” is a striking and insightful statement on the nation’s current status and its social and political problems. In the music video, which was released in 2018, Childish Gambino, better known as Donald Glover, raps and dances through a succession of wild events. (Glover, 2018)....

Different Functions of Music: Art and Social Movements

Culture plays an important role in the conditions of the modern era because it defines society’s beliefs, values, and behaviors. Modern national cultures present a result of a continuous process in which different groups of people are united in one nation through shared beliefs and practices. Music presents an essential...

Nate Smith’s Jazz Concert in Vienne

I virtually attended Nate Smith’s jazz concert held at the Vienne Ancient Roman Theatre in Vienne, France. The performing musicians included Nate Smith (drums), Brad Allen Williams (guitar), Jaleel Shaw (alto+soprano saxophones), and Jon Cowherd (fender Rhodes, piano) (Culturebox, 2022). The band played eleven pieces, including “Street Lamp,” “Collision,” “Pages,”...

The Future of American Music: Music Industry

The history of music between 2025 and 2050 can be described as a shift toward more simplistic song recording and release. In 2025 the music industry was still less accessible to aspiring musicians due to the importance of recording technology and studios, which were not affordable to many. However, many...

Camila Cabello’s Consequences vs. Thomas Hardy’s Neutral Tones

Introduction Numerous songs and poems are dedicated to the elusive feeling of love and romantic relationships, their breakdown, and the accompanying heartbreak. Myriad lyrics and verses penned by different authors echo similar sentiments, relying on comparable imagery and symbolism. Camila Cabello’s song Consequences and Thomas Hardy’s poem Neutral Tones address...

The “Bad Habits” Music Video by Ed Sheeran

One of the most famous music videos on YouTube is Ed Sheeran’s clip for the song Bad Habits, which in just one year has collected more than 450 million views. In the video, the performer Ed Sheeran is in a bright and shocking image, and the song itself tells that...

The Definition and Genres of World Music

Introduction A broad range of traditional and folk music genres from all over the world, particularly non-western music genres, as well as their hybrids and modern interpretations of their original style, are collectively referred to as “world music.” Some folk and traditional music from Western nations are also regarded as...

The Controversies of Ye, Kanye West

Celebrities have much influence over their fans and the general public. As a result, all their actions, associations, and utterances are constantly under public scrutiny. Celebrities have a responsibility to use the power they hold over the public in a morally appropriate manner. However, some celebs often convey messages that...

Classical Music and Composers of That Era

Classical music is one of the directions of music that originated in the middle of the 17th century and is developing to this day. One of the most exceptional stages of the formation of classical music was the 18th century, which gave people the most talented composers, such as Ludwig...

Dance for Self-Expression and Social Change

Art has long been considered a form of undirect self-expression where people could reveal their feelings and emotions on a disturbing matter without directly speaking about them. Naturally, the government realized this and either started to use various forms of art as propaganda to influence society or wholly banned it....

Jazz Music as Reflection of Social Injustices

Summary During the civil rights movement, jazz music took a decidedly political tone to undertake an active role in the fight for civil rights. Jazz music provided soundtracks used in most liberation movements by utilizing vocal arrangements to create sound expressing injustices against marginalized African Americans, acting as a force...

The Beautiful Age in Art, Literature, and Music

Art In the painting “Impression Sunrise” (1872-1873), Claude Monet managed to convey the unity of the sea surface with the sky and the rising sun with extraordinary accuracy (Monet). The glare of the rays on the surface of the water appears to the audience as if alive. Claude Monet expressed...

Music Evolution and Historical Roots

Introduction It is important to note that music as a form of art was constantly changing throughout the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Baroque periods. The given comparative analysis will focus on melody, harmony, form, and rhythm as areas of interest and how each of these musical elements was...

“Better Days” by OneRepublic: A Song Analysis

Song Title, Group, and YouTube Link: “Better Days” by OneRepublic The song exhibits more of a duple meter and to some extent, there is some aspect of a triple meter. At the beginning around 0:29, I hear one measure of duple meter in the lyrics (Tedder et al.). The word “waking...

The Influence Music Has Over Various Generations

Introduction The chapter Love and Sex, written by Hesmondhalgh, illustrates the influence music has over various generations. In this sense, each song is capable of transforming the views of the public and rebelling against certain issues. One instance of such a situation is the incorporation of liberalizing sexual preferences in...

Reasons Why Music Matters

Introduction Chapter 4 discusses Hesmondhalgh’s theory that music helps human communities thrive in specific locations and eras. Despite an individual’s difficulties, a link is formed that, as time passes, lifts one’s spirits (Hesmondhalgh, 2013). To illustrate this point, he presents several instances of the essence of music in human culture....

Cosmopolitanism in Rap Music

Any given nation should be seen as a form of collective action and thought. According to Hesmondhalgh (2013), a community could be maintained by means of cosmopolitanism, which is a form of moral standing that makes every person equal. As a musical genre, rap music seems perfectly related to cosmopolitanism,...

Musicians: Nicki Minaj Discussion

Introduction For a musician, being influential means demonstrating the unique features of his or her style, being innovative, empowering others to introduce new techniques, and changing the industry. In the 21st century, there are multiple influential artists and one of them is Nicki Minaj. She was born in 1982 in...

Baroque and Classical Eras: Music Genre

The musical changes between the baroque and classical eras were the creative thinking used in composing the songs. Unlike the classical period, where music was homophonic in texture with more precise and more straightforward forms, the Baroque era music was polyphonic in texture. Additionally, Baroque era ornamented and elaborated melodies,...

Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Impact on Racial Integration

Rock’ n’ Roll influenced racial acceptance in the United States in the 1950s, even though it is commonly blamed for worsening segregation. The idea that Rock n’ Roll contributed to segregation stems from the emphasis on the African-American origin of this genre. As many Americans in the 1950s acquainted themselves...

Classical Music Pioneers: Haydn, Mozart, Albrehc

Joseph Haydn was born on March 31, 1732, in Austria. Haydn’s father was a wheelwright and His mother worked as a cook before she was married. The musician’s career was primarily natured by his cousin, who took notice of his musical gifts and took him in for training (Clark et...

Swinging Bach: New Interpretation of Music

The approach to Bach’s music throughout the Swinging Bach performance is unique in that it has allowed for the mixture of contemporary and classic in one performance. The jazz-like style introduced throughout the songs can be seen as a type of crossover with Bach’s music and a new interpretation. Crossovers...

Music: “Create, Produce, Consume” by Bruenger

Introduction It is foolish to deny that the music business is booming nowadays. It has continued to evolve and uncover new methods of delivering and satisfying consumers for nearly a century. Long ago, the ability to listen to music was limited geographically, economically, culturally, and technologically; it is available almost...

The ‘Hallelujah’ Song by Leonard Cohen

Music, like any other compulsive work, causes emotions and communicates powerful information to the audience. It is more than words and the instrumentals that accompany it and writers appreciate the texture and flow of phrases. On the other hand, the listeners decide on the music that goes with their personality...

Mozart’s Don Giovanni Opera Critique

Introduction The character of Don Giovanni has been characterized by some as a lovable, fun-loving rogue, and by others as an evil, lying villain. I believe that Mozart’s Don Giovanni is the embodiment of reckless courage, exuberant energy, indestructible optimism, and love of life. It is in the love of...

“On Sonic Art” Book by Trevor Wishart

The idea of creating art using sounds and vibrations might seem bizarre; however, the specified concept has recently been the source of unfaltering interest among numerous audiences. In his book, Trevor Wishart (1996) explains the concept of sonic art, including the nature of the phenomenon, its aesthetic value, and the...

The Gustav Mahler Orchestra Performance in 2013

The Gustav Mahler Orchestra took place in Europe during one of the summer classical music festivals. The orchestra took place in 2013. The orchestra’s performers are young people under twenty-six years of age. This paper discusses the venue, performers, as well as audience. Firstly, the architects of the hall where...

History of Museums of “Classical” Music

Introduction It is no secret that in the 20th century, Western music went through critical and definitive periods. During that era, there were many uncertainties surrounding the world of the art of arranging sound. For instance, Burkholder (1983) states that composers could not agree on general trends, and the number...

Aspects of Beethoven’s Music

Allowing the viewer to rediscover the majesty of the long-forgotten concept of heroic art that originated from the era of antiquity, Beethoven’s music created a breakthrough in the realm of music and art. Inspired by the art of Ancient Greece, Beethoven’s music incorporates elements that render the notions of heroism,...

The Discussion of Favorite Music Style Period

Though each musical era has its distinctively unique and wonderfully beautiful music, it is possible to discern the art pieces that appeal to a specific listener the most. For me, the post-WWII compositions, with their active experimentation that pushed the set boundaries of harmony and melody seem to be the...

Jazz Music: Historical Background

Music has a long and intricate history dating back thousands of years. It is a form of communication and expression, a source of entertainment and enjoyment for people, and occasionally a form of political protest. The earliest known forms were drum-based, rhythmical, and repetitive (Smith, 2020). Over time, music began...

“Weird” Art: An Invitation to Analytical Perception of Music

Compared to other forms of art, music has been generally perceived as the one that is supposed to be intuitively understandable. While the specified idea is not quite correct, being an accurate example of undervaluing the significance of academic musical analysis, it also proves the universality of musical language as...

Music as a Multifaceted Cultural Phenomenon

Art is inseparable from the history of humankind’s cultural development. It was present and accessible even at the dawn of civilization, considering the evidence such as cave paintings and others. The ability to express thoughts and feelings not only through speech and gestures contributed significantly to the evolution of society...

Hip-Hop and Violence: Does This Music Genre Promote Crime?

It is hard to disagree that various types and directions of art are extremely powerful and can have a severe impact on the world and society. Artists, musicians, and activists can use music and other artistic means to express their ideas, spread awareness of different issues, and promote some values...