Essentials of Music

MUSICAL CONTEXT

Ambivalent Attitudes toward the Musical Past

Some composers have made the conscious decision to distance themselves from the styles and values of the past.
Claude Debussy said: "The century of the airplane ought to have its own music."
Other composers have just as consciously tried to return to some aspects of the past, especially the elements of the Classical style.

A Widening Gap between "Art" and "Popular" Music

Popular music, especially jazz, country and rock, became the central musical focus of the majority of people in the Western world, and its reach covers the globe.
Composers in the "art" traditions have come to be seen as less relevant in day-to-day life.
Composers whose music has become more and more complex have widened the gap between art and popular music.

The Advent of Sound Recording

The distribution of music made possible by recording was instrumental in the growth of popular styles.
Recordings have changed the way we listen to music. Works from all musical periods are available at any time.
The techniques of recording and audio production have become important musical elements in their own right.

The Birth of a World Music Culture

Western music, popular as well as art traditions, has become a world language.
At the same time, Western musicians have become more and more interested in the music of other cultures. Western composers with non-Western ancestry have likewise sought out the music of their heritage.
Non-Western ideas have enriched Western styles and have been accepted enthusiastically.
In the age of global communication, a new "world music" style is starting to emerge. This style freely mixes elements from multiple cultures and is not dependent on the heritage of its creator.