What are the standards of classical music?
What are the standards of classical music? The word "classical" itself contains the concepts of balance, moderation, simplicity and refinement. These concepts may be used, for example, in "classical" architecture, but are not an adequate expression of classical style, whose music can be stormy and complex in content and form. Simply put, classical styles refer to those styles that can be heard in the music of the greatest and most famous composers of the 18th century, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. So, what are the basic elements that distinguish their music from the Baroque music that preceded it and the Romantic music that followed?
Part of the reason for the unprecedented character of classical style is historical. One thing is certain, if a national tendency appeared in the classical style, it would have surprised the composers in the mid-18th century, because it did not appear until the 19th and 20th centuries. Although they recognized that their work formed a strong contrast with the works of the late Baroque, the gradual process was slower than the historical motivation.
Perhaps the use of sonata form is the most typical feature of classical music. This form is used in many works of the late 18th century. It also adopts the basic method of organizing musical materials, but it serves as the main method for an entire generation. The musical form was used until the decline of the classical music school and provided inspiration for many composers in the Romantic period.
Never have classical composers described sonata form so thoroughly as we do now. What's more, mid-18th-century composers loved to play with the concept of expression. Mozart provides an important clue to his creative intentions in a letter to his father, when he said of the creation of his piano concerto: "A happy medium between the extremely difficult and the extremely easy, both of which are extremely brilliant." It is sweet, and very natural and smooth. There are some passages in the music from time to time, which connoisseurs can find satisfaction; but these passages are not written in a profound way to avoid being too high-pitched. "Easy to understand is the vitality of Mozart's music.
The development of simple and easy-to-understand musical language is closely related to the ideas of the Enlightenment in the 18th century. It provides a clue as to why something must have happened: around 1740, an impatience with the supposedly obscure traditional methods of the old school developed. This traditional method emphasized the counterpoint technique of composition. The composers at that time hoped to write some simple music with open harmony (the positions of the notes in the chord are arranged as scattered harmonies). But the most important thing is not to confuse the mainstream development of classical style. Because by the time of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, these revolutionary changes had already been absorbed into the musical language: one can see this evolution in Haydn's early symphonies, and (from a completely different perspective) in Mozart's seen in the symphony. Moreover, another important feature of the mature classical style (obviously it is what confuses us) is the return to the contrapuntal principles of the heyday of the Baroque.
In classical style music, the idea of ??contrast is an essential feature, as described in sonata form, where an "intense" first theme contrasts with an often restrained second theme. Although there are many famous examples in late Baroque music, the concept of strong contrast is extremely important. Such as the dramatic ensembles in Handel's oratorios and operas. On the other hand, within the category of classical style can also be found works that almost abandon the concept of contrast in a given movement in favor of the expression of consistency: many movements in Handel's symphonies and string quartets, Considered to be monothematic, or built upon a theme. Sometimes they may appear to be dynamically contrasting but actually maintain the unity of the musical material, contradicting our simplistic understanding of classical style. Other examples can be found in the smooth and melodic movements of some of Mozart's early piano concertos.
If there is a criterion that distinguishes classical and baroque music structures, then it must be the use of pitch or key, which is the dramatic element in the work.
Composers of the classical music school established a new set of expression techniques using dialogue and balance between different main tones. For example, much of the novelty in the movements of Haydn's quartets comes from when the listener's attention is directed to expect to hear a certain key, but instead hears another key. There is also rhythmic novelty and melody novelty, but the important way to express this kind of novelty is through the contrast between tonality.
We do not have to be overly rational like the critics of the 19th century, but as long as we grasp the essence of this tonal composition, the basic driving force for classical style will be clear at a glance. We can immediately see how broad its scope is, because the range of possibilities for tonal coordination is very large; but it is also limited, because the rich chromatic harmony has not yet been developed, and chromatic harmony will come quickly. Gradually developed into a technique that dominated Romantic music.
Thus, we can see that although the classical style is an expressive style that can express strong and passionate emotions as well as lyrical and rich emotions, it is always subject to conventional restrictions. At the end of the 18th century, the music of the great composers was organized under these conventions, but always followed these conventions. In this sense, understanding classical style is more important than any formal description.
What is "light music"?
"Light music" is a variety in the category of music. To put it figuratively, it is a light weapon in music, roughly the same as essays, jokes, lyric poems, etc. in literature. It is lightweight, popular, compact, easy to understand and easy to accept. It is in sharp contrast to large-scale art forms such as symphony, concerto, cantata, and orchestral music. Among the people, light music is very popular and has extensive social significance and spiritual effects. However, among the works in the form of light music, there are also many works that are low-level and pornographic. Therefore, in terms of the political content of light music, some are good and some are bad, some are progressive and some are backward.
There are many types of light music, including general life songs, lyrical songs, witty songs, and satirical songs, as well as some operettas, waltzes, small orchestral overtures, serenades, and some orchestral sketches and movies. Songs, dance music, etc.
The style and characteristics of light music are more lively and interesting than other forms of music, especially its tunes are particularly beautiful. Some symphonies, orchestral music, cantata and other works often need the help of technical means such as harmony, orchestration, polyphony and so on. In addition to this, light music also relies more importantly on the beauty of the melody. Therefore, light music has stricter requirements for beautiful and light tunes than other music forms. A lyrical song should be graceful and euphemistic; a waltz must have a distinct rhythm and melodious tone; a witty song should give people a joyful and joyful infection; and a satirical song should be spicy and sharp. The unique performance characteristics of these light music also form its own style.
Entering the warm and romantic poetic country - Talking about light music (1)
The "third force" in music
The so-called light music (LIGHT MUSIC ) is relative to classical music, which is adapted and interpreted using popular popular techniques and performed by a small band to create a warm, romantic, relaxed and beautiful atmosphere. It is a popular music with a casual nature. As we all know, classical music has a heavy texture, huge structure and scale, dignified musical thoughts, and profound ideological connotations. The most important feature is solemnity and dignity. Light music, on the contrary, has a light texture, small and simple structure, bright and stretching rhythm, and beautiful melody. It has no profound ideological connotation, nor does it want to have such connotation. It just wants to bring people relaxed and beautiful enjoyment. Its main feature is lightness and liveliness. Therefore, it is very appropriate to name this music as light music.
But light music is not the same as pop music with pop songs as its core.
Enter the warm and romantic poetic country - Talking about light music (3)
Unique charm and beauty
The charm and beauty of light music are different It is different from classical music and pop music. The moving melody, beautiful harmony, novel orchestration, rich timbre, and strong romantic sentiment all give people a new feeling and create the unique beauty of light music. The piece "Charm" performed by the Mandovani Band epitomizes this beauty. The extremely pleasant sound flows into people's hearts like intoxicating fragrance, and people can't help but shout in their hearts: "It's so beautiful!" The band played "Time Passes", "Autumn Leaves" and "Yesterday" The beauty that the music brings to people is also difficult to express in words.
Listening to the performance of the Paul Moria Band, one feels that every note is permeated with the unique romantic sentiment of the French nation, reminding you of the fragrance of wine, roses, and tulips; the sunshine of the Mediterranean, A lover's laughter and tears. He showed various romantic feelings and poetry in life, which aroused strong excitement in people. His famous work "Love is Blue" has become a hit in Europe and the United States in the 1960s and has become an enduring piece that light music bands compete to play.
The beauty of "Evenings on the outskirts of Moscow" played by the James Last Band is irreplaceable: with the guitar gently strumming a few decomposed chords, and the percussion instruments Against the background of the bright rhythm played, the grand piano played the main melody of the song softly and euphemistically. Then the beautiful mixed chorus sounded softly along with the extension of string strings, sometimes strong and sometimes weak, sometimes far and sometimes near, bringing people into the distant Russian night full of warm and romantic atmosphere. The whole music is dreamlike and beautiful. If listening to symphony is like watching a drama, then listening to light music is like reading beautiful poems and watching elegant landscape paintings, which is pleasing to the ear and refreshing.
Enter the warm and romantic poetic country - Talking about light music (4)
Novel and unique adaptation techniques
Most conductors of light music bands are proficient in classical music , can play a variety of instruments. They are both the conductor of the band and the arranger of the music. The unique charm of light music is largely due to their creative arrangement of the original music. Among them, the most frequently used method is to reprocess the rhythm, speed, intensity, beat and other musical elements of the original music. The more common method is to give classical music the rhythm of Latin dance music, jazz, rock and disco music, and strengthen the original music through percussion instruments. The rhythmic characteristics and beat emphasis of the music create a strong contrast between the form and content of the music. For example, use disco rhythm to play Mozart's Serenade, use tango rhythm to play Brahms' Hungarian Dance, use samba, cha-cha, and rumba rhythms to play Dvo?ák's Slavonic Dances and Offenbach's Barcarolle. Wait, it sounds enthusiastic and unrestrained, very contagious. Some popular songs with originally intense rhythms are "softened" with a slow tempo, thus creating a new listening experience.
Colorful and unique orchestration is another main method of light music adaptation. First, they like to use some unrefined folk instruments, such as mandolin, Spanish guitar, harmonica, accordion, etc., and often let them play the main melody, so as to create a special musical mood and atmosphere, and combine it with traditional orchestral music. The musical instruments form a contrast in timbre, making the sound varied and colorful. Second, he likes to use various percussion instruments, such as xylophone, snare drum, jazz drum, tambourine, triangle, percussion bells, maracas, etc. He also uses some distinctive ethnic and folk percussion instruments to make the sound lively and sensory. impact on. The third is to enrich the band's timbre and add a modern flavor to the sound by adding electroacoustic instruments. Electronic instruments, percussion instruments, and traditional string instruments are perfectly integrated to create a bright, light, vivid and lively sound effect. The fourth is to add wordless vocal humming to enhance the beautiful musical atmosphere.
James Rust is the pioneer in this regard. His band has a dedicated mixed chorus. During the performance, accompanied by a modern rhythm, the moving wordless mixed singing alternates with the beautiful melody played by the band. It appears, rises and falls, and is extremely beautiful. For example, the band played Beethoven's "Für Elise" and Offenbach's "Barcarolle" with mixed male and female voices singing without words, which sounded unique and beautiful.
Enter the warm and romantic poetic country - Talking about light music (5)
Recording products of light music
Since the 1980s, the performance of light music has gradually become more personal. With the development in the direction of culturalization, the core of the band is no longer the conductor, but the star performer of a certain instrument; the band has also changed from the original main body of the performance to the supporting role of the performance. Some light music bands are eclectic, integrating symphony, pop music, jazz, rock music, and new age music, which are very different from traditional light music bands. There are many records of this kind that can be called "new light music", but in addition to Richard Clayderman (piano), Kenicki (saxophone), Bierke (clarinet), Modia and Odin (ocarina and Except for the records recorded by people such as cello), Zamfir (panpipe), Yanni and other bands, most of the records have a strong "salon flavor" and cannot give people high-level aesthetic enjoyment.
To listen to authentic light music, the first choice is still the three major light music bands. In fact, the records of these three bands have occupied a mainstream position in China. Among them, most of the Mantovani Band's records are produced by DECCA, mainly recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. Last year, DECCA released a two-piece album of Mantovani's golden songs, which brought together 29 of the most exciting golden songs played by the Mantovani band. It is a treasure for collection. Some small European and American record companies and Japanese record companies have also produced many records of the band. The James Last Band is an exclusive band under Universal Company (formerly PolyGram). It has recorded a large number of exquisite records for decades. There are more than 30 of them available in China alone, making it the one with the most recording products. Light music band. The Paul Moria Band's records are recorded by PHILIPS, and there are a large number of them. There are also many newly recorded records in recent years. The recording standards are also high and the sound effects are excellent. Many records of other famous light music bands, such as Henry Mancini Band, Alfred Hauser Band, Stanley Black Band, Kurt Edelhagen Band, and Hesse Band, have also entered China. But it is no longer easy to see.