The canon of classical and contemporary music
Since the dawn of time, music has been one of the most important cultural inventions of humanity. The use of music to convey knowledge and share information is so profound that almost all existing societies today have its own musical heritage. Music has always taken a vital place in the development of human culture. In fact, instrumental music and songs are regarded as one of the highest form of art by any culture at any point in time. From the tribal traditions passed on from generation to generation through songs, to the highly commercialized music industry of today, music is proven to be an important necessity which defines humankind.
The appreciation and acceptance of music are not dictated by cultural modernization. Instead it is influenced by the instinctive nature of human beings to love music. In order to show this, one must juxtapose two different musical personages in two different periods in time show their similarities in influences, ideas, struggles, successes and how both are accepted by people during their respective times. This simple comparison can easily display how the love and appreciation for music is constant throughout history. For this reason choosing Johann Sebastian Bach, the master of contrapuntal music and the inspiration for almost all classical composers and Beyonce Knowles, a well-renowned singer who is one of the most famous musical artists of the 21st century can become the perfect evidence to show the canon of musical appreciation that runs through all time.
There is no other person in music history that brought so much change than the legacy created by Johann Sebastian Bach. Every classical composer from Mozart to Rachmaninoff was influenced by the works of Bach. His music and style are studied even today and most of his work, especially his fugues and his mastery of contrapuntal music remain unmatched by any other composer. Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany on the 21st of March, 1685. His mother and father were both musicians and he was raised in a highly cultured, religious and musical environment. His father was his first mentor and was his main musical influence during his childhood.
Aside from the influence of his parents, the Lutheran faith was his main inspiration for most of his compositions. During his formative years, he became a famed organist in St. Boniface’s Church in Arnstadt, A musician in the court of Johann Ernst, Duke in Weimar and in Muhlhaussen. He became well-known because of his musical virtuosity and technique but gained the disdain of his superiors because of his inclination to create impromptu improvisations on solemn Lutheran hymns.
In his day, Bach became famous, not because of his musical compositions but because of his extraordinary keyboard skills. It was because most of his work was not published due to the fact that the music industry, in those days was still not that developed. However, his hymns, chorals and organ pieces were well appreciated, especially as most of his compositions revolve on a religious theme. Though Bach doesn’t regard himself as a truly pious man, he wrote that “The aim and final reasonof all musicshould be none else but the Glory of God and the recreation of the soul.” His devotion to music and his aim to provide a religious recreation of the soul made his works appealing to people from his day onwards.
One of the most famous female singers of the late 20th century. Her contribution to the music world was so profound that she became one of the pillars of the music industry of the 21st century. Beyonce Knowles was born in the 4th of September, 1981 in Houston, Texas. Aside from being gifted with a natural affinity towards music, she was born into a very supportive family. She started as a ballet dancer but was discovered to have a special talent in singing when she was 8 and from there her career blossomed.
During the 1990s, Beyonce had already won 30 competitions on singing and dancing. She started to work with her cousin, Kelly Rowland and formed an all female group, which would be the precursor to Destiny’s Child. Her father supported Beyonce’s dreams wholeheartedly that he decided to let go of his career to focus on managing Beyonce and her all girl group. Religious beliefs also inspired the young Beyonce, in fact the name Destiny’s child, the all-female vocal group she became famous with, was taken from a passage in the book of Isaiah.
Destiny’s child steadily grew in fame as the group vigorously works on creating album after album. From 1997 -2005, the group gained numerous awards and gained worldwide recognition. The song “Single ladies” was one of their most successful works that it catapulted the group into legendary status. Until today, Beyonce and Destiny’s child still hold that musical gleam that entertained and inspired millions of people everywhere. In 2003, Beyonce started to pursue a solo career. Her first solo album, “Dangerously in Love” gave her 5 Grammy awards. Her success in Destiny’s Child carried over to her solo career. Beyonce is now firmly embedded in the musical legacy of the 20th century and regarded as one of the most successful female musical artist of all time.
Though there is a stark difference from the style and genre of both Beyonce and Bach, their contribution to music is obviously similar. Both artists have contributed heavily on the development of music and both are successful in doing so. Bach continued to provide “religious recreation” for people in his time, same as with Beyonce with her singing. Bach focused on the delivery of religious Lutheran hymns for the larger part of his musical career as this was the “demand” at that time. Aside from his continual output of Lutheran hymns, he also had other non-liturgical compositions, which emphasizes technique, virtuosity and the enhancement of polyphonic and contrapuntal music.
Beyonce, on the other hand, also pursued a career that focuses on the musical demand of the 20th century. Her albums show how she answered the demand of people for contemporary music which revolves in a modern style of musical performances. For a decade, people worldwide was fascinated with Beyonce and with her group, culminating in successful sales of their album which reached a staggering 60 million sold copies. This shows both musical artists their grasp on how to adhere to trending musical tastes. It is important to understand that great musicians are able to understand what people like to hear. Though this doesn’t mean to lose all individuality and become a social chameleon, it points out the greatness of an artist to be able to introduce one’s own uniqueness and incorporate it seamless into any trending idea revolving at any given time. This musical principle is firmly employed by both artist and gave them the popularity and fame which they received.
In musicality, Bach focused on the musical landscape of polyphony and contrapuntal themes. He is often considered as the greatest master of counterpoint music of all time. His ability to compose such kind of music is so outstanding that his technique in composition is hard to duplicate even today. Though he has undoubtedly achieved contrapuntal mastery, he did not confine himself to work solely on such themes. He was able to introduce dramatic harmonies and impressive musical styles such as the “singing bass” which is supremely exemplified in his “Air in G String.” This level of beauty in harmonizing multiple styles, techniques and melodies makes his works a real masterpiece, placing etching him permanently into the fabric of eternity.
Beyonce, regarded as one of the best female music artists of all time, went also into perfecting one theme but continued to incorporate different styles to her plethora of musical compositions. Starting her solo career with “Crazy in Love” which was released in 2002, it clearly shows her style and theme in music. The upbeat, hip-hop style was harnessed by Beyonce on each musical piece she made afterwards, culminating on her hit “Single Ladies” which really placed her under the world’s limelight. However, in between these two fast beat compositions are selections of emotional songs that gave her variety, accenting her place in the halls of musical masters. Both Bach and Beyonce made full use of their innate musical preferences which they are masters of; Bach with his contrapuntal melodies and Beyonce’s upbeat music.
The appreciation of music is constant in every place, culture and time period. Bach, at his day was a superstar. He gained the respect of his peers, achieved popularity being an exceptional organist and became an inspiration for future musical artist like Mozart, Beethoven and Mendelsohn, which also become legendary as well. Beyonce was the top female singer of her time. She also earned the respect of his peers, achieved popularity for her vocal talent and gained enormous fame due to her artistic contribution to modern music styles. Finally as with Bach, She also became an inspiration to millions of people worldwide.
This simple comparison basically shows that the appreciation for music is constant throughout human history. One can say that Bach’s goal of giving Glory to God and providing recreation for the soul through his music was also accomplished by Beyonce and her music, four hundred years later. The canon or rule of music runs straight through human history and will repeat indefinitely for as long as humans exist in this beautiful world, made alive through music.
Bibliography
- “Johann Sebastian Bach” Encyclopedia Americana International Edition, Vol. 3, 1990. Print
- "Beyonce Knowles" Biography. A+E Networks, 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2013. <http://www.biography.com/people/beyonc%C3%A9-knowles-39230?page=1>
