This chapter focuses on the statuses of composers and musicians in society throughout history. The statuses of great musicians and composers have changed drastically throughout the history of music. Musicians have been looked upon as slaves or servants that were completely under the control of a master. Even famous composers such as Mozart had to take direction from a higher power. On the other hand there are musicians and composers that have been looked upon as royalty for there illustrious careers. Beethoven was so loved that he had one of the biggest funerals in Vienna's history with a turnout of around 30,000 people. While Mozart on the other hand had hardly anyone show up to his funeral. Another factor that played a huge role in the status of musicians and composers throughout history was the ability of a fan to visually be able to depict what these musicians and composers looked like. With the development of lithography and photography people were able to see what these musicians and composers looked like. This brought about the factor of sex appeal to the world of music. Musicians such as Franz Liszt and Niccolo Paganini were not only known as two of the greatest musicians to ever live but they were also known for their immense amount of sex appeal. this factor of sex appeal, as we all know, plays such a large role in the music of today, in fact it is practically taking over the music industry. It has gotten to the point that even famous politicians use well known musicians in order to further their campaigns. Prime minister Tony Blaire was well known for surrounding himself with famous musicians, and would also make it a point to let everyone know that he was also in a band and had a love for rock music. Tony Blair's favorite band was the Rolling Stones and because he made this known he believed that he would be loved by everyone who loved the the Stones as well. Smart politicians realize that in order to win elections they must target their campaigns towards the youth of the country and their is no better way of doing this than relating to the youth through music. Bill Clinton did this as well, during his campaign for president he appeared on MTV by doing so he was referred to as basically a rock star candidate. Early musicians were controlled while most musicians of today are out of control. This goes to show how the statuses to people in the music business have changed drastically over the course of history.
Purpose (chapter 2)
Over the course of history music has had many different purposes. Some musicians and composers have dedicated their whole lives to giving their music some sort of purpose. Music has been written to make you feel, or think, or just relax and forget about all of the worries of the world. Music has been in existence forever it has been used for countless numbers of things over the course of mankind's history. In Plato's day music was looked upon as a science that was broken down and analyzed very carefully. Scientist would take different objects such as strings and hollowed out wood and try and figure out what they could do to make sounds fit together in perfect harmony. Music has also been used to heal the mentally sick, it was thought that music had the ability to reach parts of the human soul unlike any other thing. Music is the most complicated of all art forms in the way that nothing else can have so many different effects on the human psyche. A listener is often able to tell what kind of mental state a composer was going through just by listening to his music. Composers such as Beethoven put an immense amount of emotion into the music that they wrote. It is said that after the first performance of Beethoven's 9th symphony the audience erupted with emotion. Even today someone who listens to that piece of music is going to feel the overwhelming amount of emotion that was put into this piece. Whether the purpose of music is to cause an emotional response whether it be happy or sad or even in love, or the purpose be for the music to cause you to think. There is always some purpose to all music.
Places and Spaces( Chapter 3)
This chapter explains the development of where music has been played over the course of musical history. This chapter mostly focuses on the architecture of different cathedrals and opera houses. It also tells the reader about some very awkward places that music has been played. Royalty use to have a group of musicians follow them around almost everywhere so that when they felt like hearing music it was always available to them. The wealthy would also have a small orchestra follow them around on hunts so that they could have music played during the climax of an exciting hunt. During the 1600's and 1700's music was looked upon as something that the wealthy was able to enjoy when ever they wanted. Opera houses were extremely segregated with the boxes for the wealthy, and the common folk would sit in the gallery. Some opera houses only were available to the wealthy. It was not rare for a box owner to go to the same opera 30 nights in a row. They would look at the opera more as a social gathering than a concert. Some orchestras were told that they need to cater to the audience, making them quiet down when they noticed that the audience was having conversations with each other. Most opera houses had a similar design they all had boxes for the wealthy, and their was also always a center box which was always glamorously designed for the highest royalty. In the case of the Paris opera house which is probably the most famous opera house in the world. The designer believed that it was just as important to have an elaborate entrance as it was to have a glamorous concert hall. The stair case which can only be used by those who are sitting in expensive seats. The Paris opera house was built with the social aspect of going to the opera in mind. When it first opened in 1875 the richest people in all of Europe were invited to attend. It was as much about the experience as it was about the actual music. On the other hand the Festival Theatre in Bayreuth which was designed by Wagner. This design all about the music, it was not glamorous but it was very practical. Wagner said in his original design that he wanted the concert hall to be made out of wood. He wanted to provide a place where common people could go and enjoy good music. His original thought was that all the concerts were going to be free of charge, but this did change over time and they had to start charging. Theatre was capable of seating almost as many people as the Paris opera house but it cost about seventy times less. Apparently the Bayreuth house is one if not the best place to enjoy a concert in the world. In the mid 1800's a large space was one that could seat 2000 people now there are stadiums that can seat over a 100,000 people. Over the course of a single century places and spaces have expanded to unfathomable amounts.
Technology (chapter 4)
Technology has played a major role in how music has changed over the course of musical history. Many instruments have become obsolete due to new technology. The first instrument that the author really goes into detail about is the piano. Apparently nobody really took an instant liking to this instrument, but over time it became the most popular instrument in the world. After a while their was a piano in almost every house in Europe and women were pretty much expected to know how to play. Before music was recorded, which was also talked about in this chapter, their were a much greater number of musicians. When it was made possible to record music effectively and inexpensively the number of musicians in world greatly decreased. Technology has brought about the existence of almost every new genre of music. Think about it what is rock without the famous electric guitar. It is impossible to go anywhere without hearing some sort of music. Its truly everywhere and this is all due to technology. Music has has been a huge part of every decade in the second half of the 20th century without things wouldn't have been nearly as crazy. Music has the ability to liberate, which is something that is discussed in the next chapter, and because of this ability it has influence different treads of society. The only reason why music has gotten the chance to have such an effect on society is because of technology. It all started with the jukebox which was soon located in every diner and bar across the country. Along with the jukebox came music on the radio, and this opened up a whole world of opportunities for music. Now you could hear music in your car, or just when your hanging out at home, or even while your out working. As long as you had a radio you had access to music. Along with this technology came immense stardom for those who were making the music. Everyone in the country knew the names of the musicians that were played on the radio. Now because of technology new sounds are created everyday. The possibilities are endless for the music industry.
Liberation (chapter 5)
This chapter concentrates on the affect of music in society over the course of history. Music Music has been known to be very influential throughout history. Music has played a major role during times of war, and also during big elections. Music has been known to have to ability to effect how people react to different situations. It is not ridiculous to say that some music has the ability to brain wash people. Music has also had the effect of encouragement as well both spiritually and mentally. Its true that a lot can be said about someone just by finding out what type of music they like. Musicians of today have the ability to set new trends in society. If theirs a famous musician who wears purple tights in a music video I guarantee that people that would have never done so otherwise will go out and buy a pair of purple tights. Think about the fact that more people vote for American Idol than they due for president. In church you see much more of an emotional response to praise and worship than you do to a sermon in itself. It is not what is said it is how that it is delivered, and by delivering a message that is pleasing to the ear through music you are having a much greater effect on your audience.
Note to Professor Held: I hope this works for you I don't know why but the blogger wasn't letting me post pictures. I spent a lot of time on this and I hope this shows you that I did read the book. Thank you, Josh Bourelle
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