Classical Music Essay

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 t...

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...spiration 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.