Classical Period Vocal Music Characteristics

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Music has always been an integral part of the life of individuals and society. Today, there is a genre for everyone, ranging from pop and rock to electronic and hip-hop music. Classical music, rooted in the 18th century, remains universally accepted and enjoyed all around the world by people of different ages and backgrounds. Vocal music of that era, despite being ages old, still has a great influence on people’s lives and their perception of music as a whole.

Main body

For a better understanding of the deep meaning behind the vocal music of the classical era, it might be necessary to examine that particular time period and its distinguishing features. The year 1740 is considered to be a starting point in the history of musical classicism, the so-called Age of Enlightenment. It was a relatively short period of 50 years, influential enough so that the term “classical music” is often used to refer to long-standing musical traditions in general (DK, 2018). Frederick the Great became the King of Prussia, while Maria Theresa became the leader of the Austrian Empire. The Napoleonic Wars, followed by the beginning of the industrial revolution, transformed the minds of people across Europe (Zaslaw, 1989). Traditional baroque compositions could no longer satisfy the tastes of new demanding listeners. Aristocratic patronage was progressively replaced with a bourgeois audience.

The vocal music evolved as well to cater to the tastes of freshly empowered members of the middle class. Comic opera, called opera comique in France and ballad opera in England, introduced everyday characters, humorous subjects, and happy endings in musical history. This new style of opera was overwhelmingly successful in Italy, and conquered other parts of Europe, becoming the most popular vocal genre of the time. Such fascination with music was not surprising because people felt ‘disgust with daily life’ and tried to escape reality through the world of an opera house (Zaslaw, 1989, p. 5).

For the first time in the history of music, opera became international. “From Ljubljana to London, from Lisbon to St. Petersburg, opera houses were staffed with Italian composers, instrumentalists, and singers” (Zaslaw, 1989, p. 5). Musicians of all sorts and origins worked together to create harmonious masterpieces indulging the audience’s ears. In attempts to accommodate to the mixed audience, opera composers allowed different styles to co-exist and influence each other. Further expansion of the urban population led to the appearance of large venues supported by ticket sales to the public, as opposed to smaller concert halls and opera houses catering to the more affluent upper classes (Zaslaw, 1989). That moment might be registered as the turning point in the history of music, vocal, in particular, creating the musical environment as it is known today.

After a journey to the history of vocal music, it might be logical to analyze its influence on the modern world and society. While many people still enjoy listening to the music of the classical period, admiring its beauty and expression of the voice and melody, the real role of it is much more prominent and complicated. Historical examples mentioned above help illustrate that point of view.

First of all, the Age of Enlightenment changed our perception of music with its creation of iconic genres and compositions that are now considered classical models that should be followed. Musicians and listeners alike distribute and apply the precious knowledge of the classics to their everyday lives. Even the popular songs we hear every day are often created with the inspiration or fundamental principles and basics from the era of Enlightenment. Therefore, classical vocal music provides listeners with a system of values that they can use to appreciate modern music.

Second of all, the 18th century brought the gift of opera and music in general to the public. It was the privilege of the rich and influential to enjoy the great classical masterpieces. This situation, however, changed when large venues, selling tickets at affordable prices, became popular. The glory of music became available to everyone, both listeners and performers. Amateur singers had a chance to demonstrate their diverse talents in front of the audience, breaking the old rules and creating new ones. Thanks to classical music, humanity can enjoy the stunning variety of genres to listen to today.

Finally, during that particular period, it became apparent that music is a perfect tool for coping with psychological problems and a way to improve one’s mental health. The issue of daily stress is not new, as it got evident when urbanization started widely in different parts of the world. Listening to the passionate voices of opera singers, for example, lets people unwind and take a load of responsibility off their minds. With the help of classical vocal music, modern people might see music in general as a way to maintain psychological health.

Conclusion

All in all, vocal music of the classical period might be underrated or overlooked by a common listener. However, there is no denial of its significance to the formation of a value system that modern people apply to their everyday experiences with music. Its influence might have ‘enlightened’ the audience and the musicians, helping them understand the deep meaning of music and its complexity. Classical opera, in particular, let us regard music as a safe place for everyone to escape the trouble, despair, and hardships of daily life.

References

DK. (2018). The classical music book: Big ideas simply explained. New York, NY: Penguin.
Zaslaw, N. (Ed.). (1989). The classical era: Volume 5: From the 1740s to the end of the 18th century. London, UK: Macmillan.

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Classical Period Vocal Music Characteristics

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