Music History: Revolution, Oppression, and Connection by Madelyn
Madelynof Conway's entry into Varsity Tutor's August 2017 scholarship contest
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Music History: Revolution, Oppression, and Connection by Madelyn - August 2017 Scholarship Essay
If I were a college professor, I would teach music history. Now, to some that might sound like a boring choice, and as a violinist, I’ll admit I am a little biased toward the importance of music. However, music history is actually one of the most vital subjects to understanding societies and people. When one examines a piece of music from a certain time period, the music offers a glimpse into what was important and influential at that time and place. Music has been used throughout history as a means of expression that can be understood by anyone who listens. In some societies, music was even used to record history. The study of music history not only reveals the development of music and how music came to be the way it is today, but how music served as a tool for people around the world and throughout history to express themselves.
Take, for example, the work of Beethoven. This familiar composer produced music during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that was influential in the transition from the Classical period of music to the Romantic period. With the music of the Classical period, everything was restrained and organized. Beethoven’s music brought new expression of emotion and drama into the world of popular music. This music reflected Enlightenment ideals and coincided with a change in society: where things had previously been orderly and monarchies ruled in many areas, revolutions were now taking place around the world. Musical expression became less restrained and more emotive, and in a way, music experienced a revolution of its own. Through studying Beethoven’s music and its place in history, it is easier to understand the move toward greater freedom and less social restraint in society during that time.
Another notable composer whose work reflected his society at the time was Shostakovich. As a Russian composer during the rule of Stalin, Shostakovich faced oppression and difficulties in a time and place where free expression could result in harsh punishment if the government disliked what they heard. His music illustrates the fear of living in such a society, the force of the powerful regime, and the sadness that Shostakovich faced in his situation. While it is hard for most of us to understand what living in the Soviet Union during that time was like, studying the music of Shostakovich and learning about his circumstances and influences allows us to connect on a human level with what people in that society experienced. When listening to his music, one feels the fear, the sadness, and the struggle that he faced. It becomes clear that music can connect people, even across time and distance, by portraying the essence of a society and humanity.
Throughout history, music has been crucial to expression and communication. In the future, people will likely study the popular music of our time in attempts to understand what life was like in the early 21st century. Music expresses emotions that are hard to communicate through words alone. By listening and understanding music, we can come to understand each other. That’s why I would want to teach music history: studying music and the messages it communicates makes even distant societies seem familiar, and it brings people closer to understanding the world and each other.