“Most ancient cultures shared the belief that music was a vital component of the natural world, a gift from heavenly beings. One theory is that for very early people natural sounds were the voices of the gods, and human song was developed to imitate their voices.” (Janaro & Altshuler)pg155
I think through this perspective you can start to understand early cultures better and also understand the importance of the natural world to them. For American Indians rituals often involved the imitation of natural sounds. Drums used by tribes that roamed the Midwest are said to imitate the sounds of horses or buffalo hooves as they galloped across the plains. Both horses and buffalo played intricate parts in everyday lives of these people so it’s only natural that these sounds were integral in their music. I see it almost as a way to give back and celebrate the world around them.
“The music of Africa made possible the evolution of jazz and blues, two art forms that allow for maximum freedom of expression.” (Janaro & Altshuler)pg157
I think blues and jazz were created to allow for a maximum freedom of expression because the culture that made them were oppressed and had no platform to express themselves. As during the beginnings of both movements African Americans were free but, didn’t share the same privileges as white people at the time. I see blue’s as a way to express the sadness and sorrows that generations of Africans had suffered. While jazz was almost in defiance of the oppression. I see it as you can oppress us and take away our basic human rights but, you can never take away our happiness.
“Beethoven is believed to have dedicated his Third Symphony to Napoleon, depicted in Jacques Louis David’s portrait, then rescinded the dedication when word reached the composer that Napoleon had declared himself emperor.” (Janaro &Altshuler) pg167
I just thought that this was interesting in a sense of music being a way to get a feel for the perception of how people saw Napoleon before and after he declared himself Emperor. As Beethoven was gonna dedicate one of his most famous pieces of work to Napoleon for his accomplishments but, after the crowning he immediately rescinds the dedication showing that Napoleon was taking his power too far. Napoleon isn’t seen as hero of myth or worth the dedication of a masterpiece as he is now seen as a power hungry general who over stated his bounds.”
Citations:
Janaro, R. P., & Altshuler, T. C. (2017). The Art of Being Human: the Humanities as a Technique for Living (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
