Monday, 23 February 2015

Musical places



Hello, everybody!
As you know, even if we have decided to follow a chronology in order to you to understand easily the history of music, we also want to show some curiosities related to the topic. For this reason, in this post we are going to speak about important places to the music.

Obviously, first of all universities and schools, which are so numerous in the USA, so I have chosen some of them:


 Julliard School: located in Manhattan, NY, established in 1905, is one of the most prestigious drama, dance and music centre in the USA and trains approximately 850 undergraduates every year. A great amount of artist has studied there: musicians, singers, actors… However, I would like to remark Alan Gilbert who is the Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and who is Conductor Laureate.


The American Musical and Dramatic Academy: with campus in New York and Los Angeles, the AMDA, founded in 1964,is a centre which provide practical training by professional performer. It is specially focus in musicals, with notable alumni as Becca Tobin, one of the main characters in the popular TV show Glee.  

Now, I would like to show you some of the most important and best-known musical places in the USA. However, you have to know that it is not possible to show you all of them because in fact this is a real musical country where this art is extremely important along history.

The Rock & Roll Hall Museum: created in April 1983 in Ohio, this museum has kept the memory of artists such as Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Lou Reed, Louis Armstrong…And every year, they chose some of them and tell us their stories.


The Motown Historical Museum: founded in1959 by Berry Gordy in the first headquarter of the record company in Detroit, this museum show us the story of great artists like Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes…



The Experience Music Project: I have chosen this place because its history is very curious and the building is just unbelievable. This tribute to the musician Jimi Hendrix and the process of creative evolution of American music was commissioned by the Microsoft Company cofounder, Paul Allen and whose architect was the Canadian Frank Gehry, best-known thank to the Guggenheim Museum.



 There are even musical cities as the Forbes magazine says like San Francisco for classical music, Los Angeles for rock one, Memphis for blues one, the amazing Louisiana for jazz…
Finally I just wanted to name one of the worldly known musical places, Broadway. However, I am not going to talk about it because there will be a special post dedicated to musicals.


As I said at the very beginning, United States is a country where music has a special and very important role, not only in its history but nowadays too. For this reason, I hope you will enjoy this post and maybe in the future you will have the opportunity to visit some of them.

Best regards, the musical girls!

BIBLIOGRAPHY



                     

Monday, 16 February 2015

The music since the XVII until the XIX century


In this post we are going to talk about the music in the USA since the XVII until the XIX century.
In 1620, The Pilgrims sing from The Book of Psalms by Henry Ainsworth in 1612. One of the best known is Old 100th sung to Psalm 100 ("Shout to Jehovah all the  earth").


In 1640, The Whole Booke of Psalms Faithfully Translates into English Metre first edition (also known as The Bay Psalm Book) was printed without music.

One of the best known psalms is: "Psalm 23".
 



                                   


Later, in 1698 the first one edition to contain music was the Ninth edition of The Bay Book (original title: The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Old & New Testament: Faithfully Translated into English Metre,)  
In 1721 The Grounds and Rules of Musick Explained, or An Introduction to the Art of Singing By Note was the first music printed with barred notes by Rev.Thomas Walter.
In 1726 What is believed to be the earliest American tune was composed by Rev. John Tufts published in the fifth edition of his tune collection: An Introduction to the Singing of Psalm-Tunes.
In 1730 Gottliche Liebes Und Lobes Gethoene was the first collection of Pennsylvania German hymns by Conrad Beissel from the Ephrata Cloister (also known as Seventh Day Baptists).
In 1747 Paradisches Wunder-Spiel was the first choral music collection from the press of the Ephrata Clositer, a Protestant monastic order in Pennsylvania.

In 1759 "My Days Have Been So Wondrous Free" was the first song written by an American, Francis Hopkinson, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.


In 1761 "Urania. A Choice Collection of Psalm-Tunes, Anthems and Hymns" was the first music collection compiled by an American musician, Rev. James Lyon.
In 1762 The Saint Cecilia Society was the first musical society founded in Charleston, South Carolina. This society's history remains shrouded in mystery but is known to be a sponsoring group for concerts.
Also in this year, the first documented singing meetings in a diary of Elijah Dunbar which in 1782 was led to the later formation of the Stoughton Musical Society.
In 1770 The New-England Psalm-Singer was the first collection of music by an american composer, William Billings.
In 1776 was written to the "Yankee Doodle" tune probably the earliest American words called "Father and I Went Down to Camp", attributed to Edward Bangs.
  










In 1778 First patriotic war song "Chester" by an American, William Billings.
In 1786 The Stoughton Musical Society was founded when 25 male singers were listed in a journal. This is now the oldest choral society in the United States.
In 1787 a ballad called "The Grand Constitution" was written about the U.S. Constitution and is set to the English tune, "Heart of Oak".
In 1789 Some songs was written in tribute to George Washington's Inauguration as First US President, including an"Ode to the President of the United States" and set to the English tune, "God Save the King". 

                                         
In 1794 Several important tune collections were published. One was The Continental Harmony by William Billings and another one was The Harmony of Maine by Supply Belcher. 
In 1797 the song "The Battle of Trenton" was composed by James Hewitt and was dedicated to George Washington and included "Washington's March" and "Yankee Doodle."


In 1798 First use of the popular English tavern tune, " Anacreon in Heaven" in a song dedicated to President John Adams: "Adams and Liberty".
In 1799 some memorial songs were composed in memory of George Washington, such as Peter A. con Hagen's "Funeral Dirge on the Death of General Washington".

In 1805 The Christian Harmony, or Songster's Companion by Jeremiah Ingalls was one of the first collections with American folk hymns. His music has remained popular with various choruses.

In 1814 "The Star-Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key and set to the tune of "Anacreon in Heaven" but it was recognized in 1931. The original title of the poem by was "The Defense of Fort McHenry".




In 1815 The Handel & Haydn Society was founded. It is now the oldest continuous performing arts organization in the U.S.

Later, in 1822 The Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection of sacred choruses was first published.
In 1817 "There's Nothing True But Heaven" words by Sir Thomas More and music by Oliver Shaw is one of the first popular songs.
In 1827 "The Minstrel's Return from the War" was the first popular American song hit by John Hill Hewitt who was called "Father of the American Ballad."
In 1831 "My Country 'Tis of Thee" (also known as: "America") words were written by Samuel Francis Smith and set to the tune of "God Save the King."
In 1835 "Amazing Grace" published to the tune of "New Britain" in William Walker's The Southern Harmony. This is the version most often sung today.


In 1838 First music in public schools begun in Boston and led by Lowell Mason, who was best known for his many hymns and anthems, including "Nearer My God To Thee" and "Jerusalem, My Glorious Home."

In 1840 "The Old Arm Chair, A Ballad" by Henry Russell.
In 1842 The New York Philharmonic was founded and is now the oldest orchestra in the U.S.
In 1845 Leonora was the First American grand opera by William Henry Fry.

In 1848 "Simple Gifts" (also known by its first line: "Tis the gift to be simple") is a shaker dance song which was composed by Elder Joseph Brackett.
In 1851 "Old Folks at Home", the Stephen Foster's biggest hit, was published as sheet music.
In 1853 One of his popular piano pieces was "The Last Hope" by Louis Moreau Gottschalk, which was later arranged in several different hymns, including one composed in 1979: "They Who Seek The Throne Of Grace"
In 1859 "Dixie" was the biggest hit song of the era by Daniel Decatur Emmett. This became enormously popular in the South during the Civil War.

In 1860 First edition of Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Tunes, one of the most popular collections of this late 19th century. One of the tunes was "Song of the Old Folks" (tune: Auld Lang Syne).

 

  

In 1862 the song "Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Julia Ward Howe set to the tune: "Glory, Hallelujah".
Also this year a Shaker pacifist hymn called "A Prayer for the Captive" by Sister Cecilia De Vere, was reportedly sung at Shaker communities on the day of President Abraham Lincoln's funeral.
In 1867 "Mass in D" by John Knowles Paine was the first major work by an American to be performed in Europe.

In 1869 the hymn "Hymn of Peace" by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes was performed at the National Peace Jubilee to commemorate the end of the Civil War.

In 1876 "Centennial Meditation of Columbia" was the official cantata, with a poem by Sidney Lanier and music by Dudley Buck was performed at the U.S. Centennial celebration.
Also, John Knowles Paine's Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 23 set the standard for the symphonic tradition in 19th century America.
In 1886 in the centennial celebration of The Stoughton Musical Society culminated with a performance of Haydn's oratorio, The Creation.

Also that year another major symphony "Symphony No. 2 in B flat, Op. 21" by George W. Chadwick.
In 1892 the song "After the Ball" by Charles K. Harris became one of the biggest hits of the 1890s.
In 1899 the song "Maple Leaf Rag" by Scott Joplin is published and became the first major Ragtime hit.



I hope you have enjoyed this part of American Music history!


Best regards

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/Americanmusictimeline.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd1YIj6w1LI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NXFCDgyanA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QauX4S5FeBc 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6nwidAdH4A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDUYUtVCFj0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDMKMXs11vU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7cOqrolsy4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZANIc9HsWc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt9vopxw09Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S03cwGuw43s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62bHNvdbxOw




Sunday, 8 February 2015

The origins of American music


From the first Amerindians to 1852

In this publication we are going to talk about the origins of music in the USA.

AMERINDIAN MUSIC

First of all, I should talk about Amerindian people. They had a lot of instruments like maracas, flutes and a lot
of types of drums (bass drum, calling drum, merry drum, etc.) Singing and percussion are the most important aspects of traditional Native American music.

Localisation takes many forms, ranging from solo and choral song to responsorial, unison and multipart singing. Percussion, especially drums and rattles, are common accompaniment to keep the rhythm steady for the singers, who generally use their native language or non-lexical vocables (nonsense syllables). Traditional music usually begins with slow and steady beats that grow gradually faster and more emphatic.

Native American song texts include both public pieces and secret songs, said to be "ancient and unchanging", which are used only for sacred and ceremonial purposes. There are also public sacred songs, as well as ritual speeches that are sometimes perceived as musical because of their use of rhythm and melody. These ritual speeches often directly describe the events of a ceremony.

Native American music plays a vital role in history and education, with ceremonies and stories orally passing on ancestral customs to new generations. Native American ceremonial music is traditionally said to originate from deities or spirits, or from particularly respected individuals. Rituals are shaped by every aspect of song, dance and costuming, and each aspect informs about the "makers, wearers and symbols important to the nation, tribe, village, clan, family, or individual".


If you like relaxing yourself listening music, Amerindian music can be the better option!
Here, I give you an example of Amerindian traditional song.


AFRO-AMERICAN MUSIC

The New World was growing with a mix of cultures, people, traditions, etc. The Irish, Scottish, English,
French and Spanish immigrants, many living in the Appalachian Mountains, started hanging
out with African former slaves, whose polyrhythmic spiritual music was already gaining popularity after the civil war.

The Afro American slaves brought with them their own culture, traditions and music. When they were working in the fields, they sing some songs a capella.

Negro Christian Spiritual hymns gained popularity in the late 1800's, which were essentially old European hymns sung in an African call-and-response polyrhythmic style.

This is a scene from the film 12 years a slave in which you can see a group of slaves singing a song.


12 years a slave - Choir song - ''Roll jordan roll'', 2013

Then near the end of the century, a peculiar African American dance gained popularity; an over-the-top parody of ballroom dancing called the Cakewalk, often accompanied by goofy costumes.

                                     
The Cake-Walk or Cakewalk was a dance developed from the "Prize Walks" held in the late 19th century, generally at get-togethers on slave plantations in the Southern United States.

It was performed in minstrel shows, exclusively by men until the 1890s. The inclusion of women in the cast "made possible all sorts of improvisations in the Walk, and the original was soon changed into a grotesque dance" which became very popular across the country.

             


IRISH INFLUENCES


The traditions of the Celtic peoples together constitute the single most dynamic ethnic influence on
Appalachian music. An estimated 70 percent of the early settlers on the Appalachian frontier emigrated from historically Celtic countries (Scotland, Ireland, and Wales). Many of these settlers intermarried with people from different ethnicities, thus exchanging cultural traditions and widely influencing Appalachian music. Scottish and Irish settlers brought the baroque fiddle to Appalachia. The recently designed instrument had become widely popular in Celtic countries because it was easily carried and well suited for performing at dances.

Irish-Appalachian jig
The Irish influence on Appalachian music became more prominent after people escaping the potato
blight in Ireland immigrated to the United States in the 1840s. Soon many Appalachian musicians began playing variations of traditional Irish hornpipes, reels, and jigs.

                                       This is a short demo of Irish-Appalachian music.

Finally, I would like to show a little bit of information of two important men in the American history and also in the New World's music: Francis Hopkinson and John Phillip Sousa.

Francis Hopkinson (September 21, 1737 – May 9, 1791) was an American author and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey. He later served as a federal judge in Pennsylvania. He played a key role in the design of the first American Flag.

                       




                       


John Phillip Sousa (November 6, 1854 – March 6, 1932) was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic Era, known primarily for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition he is known as "The March King" or "The American March King". He wrote more than a hundred of marches.




I hope you have enjoyed this part of American music history!

Best regards.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://makeshiftmusician.blogspot.com.es/2008/04/origins-of-american-music.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_music
http://utpress.org/Appalachia/EntryDisplay.php?EntryID=003