The first stage is the music culture of ancient Greece. That period refers to the period from the 12th century BC to the 5th century BC. The lyre was made of cow intestine strings stretched on the back of the sea. The earliest Wind instruments are made of reeds. The second stage is the music culture of the Middle Ages. This stage mainly lasted from the 5th century AD to the 13th century. At this time, many churches appeared, which can also be said to be Christian culture. At that time, the main focus was on teaching music and cantata, and the size of musical instruments became larger and larger, such as pipe organs, which were built in buildings. The third stage is the music culture of the Renaissance. This period mainly lasted from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. During these 300 years, Europe went through a stage of cultural prosperity. The main musical instruments of that period were the organ and the lute. Piano, harp, vivor (fretted, 6 strings, later replaced by violin). The fourth stage is the Baroque era, which lasted from 1600 to 1750. The musical instruments at that time were mainly harpsichord, organ, guitar, etc. The fifth stage is the classicism period, which refers to the period from 1750 to 1827
Beethoven's death. At this time, the formation of symphony orchestras and orchestras began to gradually take shape. Later, in the romanticism and impressionism periods, Western musical instruments have formed supporting bowed string instrument groups, woodwind instrument groups, brass instrument groups, percussion instrument groups, keyboard instrument groups and other decorative instruments (harps, xylophones, celestas, bells), and in the electronic age, Electronic keyboards, synthesizers, computer music sound generators, etc. appeared again. Since then, a relatively complete set of Western musical instruments has been formed.
(1) The main characteristics of Greek music: single-part melody, simple and generous, with simple instrumental accompaniment; most of them are improvisational performances, forming a "trinity" of music, dance and poetry. ; Emphasizing secularity and reality, most of the works directly reflect the rich social life and national history of the ancient Greeks. Although very few pieces of ancient Greek music have been preserved, its significance lies not in the spread of specific works, but in inspiring the prosperity of music in later centuries.
(2) Music phenomena: mythological music, Homeric epics, and ancient Greek dramas.
2. Briefly describe the understanding of the social function of music in the ancient Greek period
Ancient Greek theorists believed that "music can have a significant impact on the will in three ways": it can inspire action; it can strengthen the body and mind, just like It destroys the balance of the mind, and finally it can interrupt the willpower of a party, making it impossible for people to be conscious of their actions. Therefore, not only should regular and supervised music education be established in the educational subjects of young people and the general public, but also order, dignity, courage and vitality should be promoted in daily music performances. The purpose of music is not only entertainment, but as Plato said, "the cultivation of harmony, the perfection of the soul and the neutralization of passions."
Ancient Greek theorists emphasized the theoretical value orientation of music and believed that music directly affects people's character.
With the prosperity and development of musical life, in the face of new situations, some people believe that music should innovate and keep moving forward. At that time, the dominant idea was still the "spiritual purification theory" of philosophers represented by Plato. ”, believes that music should not be too musical, not too complicated, and pursue innovation. It should be simple in order to purify the soul.
However, the ancient Greek view of music emphasized the social role of music, and the evaluation of music was not a purely aesthetic experience, but had a certain utilitarian purpose. However, they believed that music should comply with the rules and provide balanced, solemn, and simple music, which undoubtedly had a significant influence on later Western music.
Gregorian chant was formed in the 8th and 9th centuries. It was named after Pope Gregory I and has become the agreed norm and highest authority of the Roman Catholic chant liturgy.
Basic features: ① Single-part music form of pure human voice (male voice) without accompaniment. ②Latin lyrics. ③The improvisational style has no obvious rhythmic characteristics. ④ Based on simple diatonic scale. ⑤The lyrics mainly come from the Bible and Psalms. ⑥The melody has a gentle tone, mainly progressions and thirds. ⑦Narrow vocal range.
The emergence of motets can be traced back to Discount's polyphonic writing technique. To a certain extent, the lyrical characteristics of the motet have become its most important feature and herald its development direction. The most classic motet in the 13th century had three parts. At first, the lyrics attached to the upper part were in Latin. Language, related to religion. Later, the lyrics of the upper part began to be dialectized, and French motets appeared (both upper parts used French lyrics), forming the unique phenomenon of "complex lyrics" in motets, with different parts singing different lyrics. The two French lyrics are usually dance songs and love songs. Because the lyrics have their own characteristics, each part of the motet maintains a certain independence in rhythmic pattern. The rhythmic movement has unprecedented tension in polyphonic music. It can only be felt in the consonant intervals produced by each part. A certain unity. The polyphonic structure of the motet is highly rational.
Motets reflect the mutual influence between religious music and secular music, and the lyrics are often a mixture of religious and secular content or even completely secular.
The new style of French music in the 14th century represents a new trend in music creation that emerged in the new century (1) new notation system (2) application of other rhythmic techniques (3) changes The cadence of the sound
Ma Xiao: (1300-1377), the first musician in the history of Western music whose music works have been completely preserved. His compositions cover almost all important musical genres of the 14th century, including motets, masses and a large number of secular songs. ***Created 23 motets, mainly in 3 parts; in the Mass ceremony, the Mercy, the Gloria, the Creed, the Holy Bible and the Lamb are often regarded as a set of music, and later from the liturgy formed independently.
Characteristics of early Renaissance music: teaching less constraints of abstract theory, maintaining a natural connection with folk music, tending to major tonality and main key style, often freely using intervals of thirds and sixths. Produces a harmonious and full sound.
Representatives: Lionel Boro, John Dunstable, Faberton.
The most important musical achievement of the German Reformation in the 16th century - a Lutheran hymn, a musical form of the Protestant church. Initially, it was a monophonic, segmented song. Later, harmony and counterpoint were gradually added, and expanded into four choruses.
Significance: It enriches the formation of cantatas, Christmas music, Passion music, oratorios, etc., makes Protestant music gradually mature and powerful, and opens the way for large-scale vocal or instrumental music creation in the Baroque period
p>
Pattrina (1529-1594): Because he was born in the small town of Pattrina near Rome, people used to call him by his birthplace.
He devoted his life experience to religious music. His music has a certain conservative tendency. However, he was able to adapt to the development direction of Renaissance music and make polyphonic music under the constraints of the spiritual concepts of the Counter-Reformation. creative development. His creations are mainly religious music works, including 104 masses and 250 motets. More than 50 religious pastoral songs and more than 100 secular pastoral songs. His musical style is a polyphonic a cappella style.
The main context of the development of Italian opera during the Baroque period.
(1) The first opera in the history of music: At the end of the 16th century, a group of literati often gathered at Count Bardi's house in Forosa, Italy, to study ancient Greek culture and try to restore the true nature of ancient Greek drama and music. , so the composer Perry and the poet Nuchel collaborated to write the first opera "Daphni", but the score has been lost for a long time, and now only the opera "Euridice" written by the two of them has been handed down. Accompanied by harpsichord and simple harmonies.
(2) Opera in Rome: Under the influence of Forosa opera, operas were produced in Rome in the first half of the 17th century. They mostly used religious themes, often added chorus, and had distinct lyrical and recitative passages. , the drama often inserts comic servant characters.
(3) Venetian Opera: The emergence of the first opera garden - San Cassiano in the first half of the 17th century quickly strengthened the development of Venetian opera. Representative composer Monteverdi used a large number of solo arias and duets in the opera "Offill", with rich choruses. He was the first to use orchestral accompaniment and pioneered vibrato, pizzicato and other techniques, which enhanced the drama of the music. His operas overcome the boring melody and use a pastoral and singing recitation tone. Representative works include "Arianna" and so on.
(4) Neapolitan Opera: In the early 18th century, represented by A. Scarlatti, he focused on bringing out the beauty of the human voice in operas, which resulted in an unprecedented improvement in the level of vocal solo singing and strengthened the integration of arias and recitatives. the difference. He composed more than 100 operas, and pioneered the Italian-style overture in three speeds: "fast-slow-fast". He also made the string quartet the center of the orchestra.
After that, Bach and Handel came out, and then Haydn and Mozart, and then Beethoven and Schubert, and the history of music entered the romantic era.