Examining the music of the 19th and the 20th century, we do realize that music was strongly intertwined with social, political, and cultural state of that time. For example, the start of the 19th century, which is typically noted for its intense political, social, and cultural upheaval was marked as beginning with the French Revolution in 1789 and ending with the passing of the Great Reform Bill in 1832, occurrences which exemplify the political zeal of the late eighteenth- and early nineteenth centuries as well as the resultant changes brought about in society. Romanticism bloomed as a reaction to the effects of the social transformation caused by the Revolution. Music was no longer under the control of the church, and was no longer exclusive to the aristocrats. People started to realize the potential in music and its ability to express deep feelings and ideas.
Although we have seen many pieces linked to wars and conquests, written to celebrate victories and to keep spirits and morale alive in dark times such as Wellington 's Victory by Ludwig van Beethoven, or even Tchaikovsky 's 1812 Overture, we have to understand that wars also created unique antagonists who transform their empathy, concern, anger, and other emotions into poetry or prose. This was especially heard during the 1960s, in light of the Vietnam War.
Coincidentally, during this period, technologies such as the AM radio, and the turntables were made easily available and affordable. While concerts still held
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields”, Ernst Junger’s Storm of Steel, and Lewis Milestone’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” present different accounts of World War I. McCrae displays the sorrow of losing comrades while exhorting the public to continue to fight in memory of those who died. Junger writes a gripping account of his experience as a fearless young man in the war. “All Quiet on the Western Front” combines both the sorrow of McCrae’s poem with Junger’s fearless attitude to deliver a war story reminiscent of the personalities of the soldiers. All three works manipulate the use of syntax to evoke a sense of remorse as their audiences recognize the reality of death that manifests in war. McCrae employs syntax to display remorse through his stylization and organization
Music and War: The Effect of Music During the Vietnam War In the book called Battle Notes: Music of the Vietnam War, author Lee Andresen discussed the various viewpoints of songwriters in their music, pertaining to the American involvement in the Vietnam War. His thesis was that “All American wars had their music, but Vietnam was a conflict in which music played an especially significant role. Beyond simply entertaining, it also shaped and articulated public opinion in unprecedented fashion.” Andresen showed this in his work, by showing how different forms of both anti-war and pro-war songs had an effect on the American public.
Maybe nothing is more incessant in the pages of history books than wars. Since the beginning of time, men have battled to hold their ground and vanquish more. However, the images of war are never as victorious that they are painted out to be. The truth of war is dull, devastate, and nerve racking, with conditions unfavorable to mind, body, and soul. The substances of war and the dread experienced are reported and told by writers all through time.
Musical Journey Till The Kent State Massacre Music serves as a platform for commentary on important social issues. Social events are an inspiration for creativity, and often, this creativity gathers momentum to tackle these societal concerns. The mutual relationship between music and social issues is seen evidently throughout the history. The Vietnam War serves as a great example to showcase the interdependency between the society and music.
Composers have the ability to influence how we the audience views and responds to characters and issues. Through viewing and analysing ‘The Shoe Horn Sonata’ by John Misto and ‘Saving Private Ryan’ directed by Steven Spielberg, it is obvious that composers have the ability to impact and influence our views on characters and issues that occur. Shoe Horn Sonata and Saving Private Ryan were set in the same context of World War 2. John Misto’s Shoe Horn Sonata takes place during the war against Japan, the play focus on the lives of two women Bridie and Sheila who have been captured by the Japanese to become (POW) prisoners of war. John Misto’s play was based on real accounts from POWs, the play was to commemorate the female POWS who story was unheard of and to give an insight to the audience into what the POWs had to endure while under the japanese rule.
Devin Dew Frisch ELA 10 Honors 27 March 2023 How Music has Shaped America In the United States a person listens to approximately 20 hours of music per week. Music plays a large role in most people's daily lives. It can change a person's mood, keep people focused, and be a good conversation topic. What most people don't realize is that music has played an important role in shaping America.
Bernard wrote, “In camp and hospitals they sang sentimental songs and ballads, comic songs and patriotic numbers... The songs were better than rations or medicine.” By Bernard’s count, “ … during the first year of war alone, an estimated two thousand compositions were produced, and by the end of the war more music had been created, played, and sung than during all our other wars combined. More of the music of the era had endured than from any other period in our history.” (Kenneth A. Bernard 1966)
Literature can be funny, happy, lovely, and dynamic in all its forms, but literature that strikes a chord and evokes deep gut-wrenching feelings is often that of realistic fiction that contains tragic events in which the characters are involved. War is just one of the events that seems to captivate audiences. Literature like the story “The Things They Carried” and the poem “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner” paint the truth of events that happen during war. Death appears in both of these works and is the tragic event that changes the theme of the pieces. But what if the theme begins with death and then discussed its effect on the tone of the characters?
We live in a world where we have to hide to make love, while violence is practiced in broad daylight. John Lennon. Based on his own reading and reflection, Bruce Dawe constructs his attitudes towards war in his poems, Homecoming and Weapons Training, believing it to be lacking sense historically and ultimately futile. By specifically addressing an Australian cultural context, the poet exposes a universal appeal in that the insensitivity and anonymity are common attitudes towards soldiers during war. Dawe clearly expresses his ‘anti-war sentiment’ through his use of language and imagery as he examines the dehumanising aspects of war and its brutal reality.
Throughout the 20th century, music, art, and sports played an essential role in both the Civil Rights and Anti-War Movements. These cultural elements have a unique ability to inspire and unite people, creating a sense of solidarity and shared purpose that can lead to social change. This essay will explore the impact that music, art, and sports had on these two important movements, focusing on their ability to mobilize and motivate people, inspire creativity and expression, and foster a sense of community. Music was one of the most significant cultural forces in both the Civil Rights and Anti-War Movements. It was used to protest and spread awareness about the issues at hand.
The initial chapter of Jacques Attali’s Noise is incredibly insightful in the way that it characterizes music as not only “an organization of noise,” but as a spiritual tool that acts as both a mirror of ourselves as well as a prophecy. Its uniquely common thread is its ability to structure the sounds that we hear in order to perform as a means for structuring our thoughts and ourselves. Attali’s declaration that there is a parallel between the way in which society transforms and music evolves is an intriguing concept, especially given the way in which this is evident throughout history. The Beatles, and their adjoining “British invasion” movement, for example, occurred in conjunction to the free-love and “hippie” movement in America in the
Rob Rosenthal and Richard Flacks in their book Playing for Change: Music and Musicians in the Service of Social Movements poses the question “under what conditions, and ways, does music contribute to social change?” (Rosenthal and Flacks 8). The authors intention of posing this question is to argue that, not only culture, but the musicians and the different genre of music they produce are important to social movements. Their aim was to go beyond documenting the links between social movements and music. Determining and analysing “how music actually serves the various functions that have been claimed for it and to begin to determine how the function and effects of music vary depending on social and historical contexts” (Rosenthal and Flacks 5).
Music changed the life of people and bluegrass, scat, and jazz produced more genres of music like pop, country, classic, and instrumental ( Feinstein ). In addition, music impacted the culture of the United States in the 1910s by giving people more jobs like a producer, singer, songwriter, etc. and making singer and songwriters
In the Victorian Age, music was a prominent form of entertainment for all families. Whether it was making their own music, sitting around singing songs together, or having dances, music was a very important part of the Victorian Era. Although there were differences in social and economic classes, everyone knew how to have fun in their own ways. Music in the mid 1800s has shaped the way that music is made today as well with new techniques being discovered. With this being said, music in the Victorian Era has inspired much of our music today, has become a very important form of entertainment, and has been used in many dances and parties.
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the events that took place in the 1960s? Music that were performed or sang in the 1960s were great. Elvis Presley was a great american singer of rock and was mostly referred as “King of Rock and Roll.” Now “The Beatles” were a group of 4 male british talented people that invaded the United States and ended up popular. The best genre of music that were played in the 1960s were mostly rock.