The Purpose and Value of Music in Human History - Essay Example

What are your thoughts about the purpose and value of music in human history? The sound of music appeals to every sort of human emotions. Not only the Western but also Eastern countries of the world are rich in musical history. Humans are made of different emotions such as love, anger, sympathy, passion and so on. To express such emotions, people use the sound of music to convey their message to someone. Additionally, the sound of music has a natural touch that can either satisfy the needs of some particular feelings or augment a certain type of emotional appeal.

In addition, the sound of music has some spiritual touch, in which people find internal peace, serenity and tranquility, and it has been an internal part of certain traditions, cultures found in Eastern countries. In the Eastern countries, people consider music as a way to develop and grow certain emotional feelings that would bring closer them to their Lord. And, at the same time, they become softer while communicating with humans as well. Is it important that we study history and try to understand the important lessons of the past or is our culture fascinated by history to an unhealthy degree?

Explain your reasoning? There is music in all things if men had ears (Byron, n.d).Music finds its history in both parts of the world- Eastern and Western culture. Additionally, music has been a valid component of human history throughout different ages for human growth and development. Various reasons require studying the history of music. First, nowadays, globally, people only hear the news of killings, rape, violence, lawlessness and chaos. Humans in these times do not avail peaceful time.

Second, many authors believe that the message of music is to spread peace, and harmony, not violence or hatred. Third, the music has strange but strong power to attach and bring together people belonging to different sect, caste, and color; it has unique attaching frequency, bringing people closer to one other. For example, if we go to a music program, we meet people belonging to different segments of society. On the other hand, if we go into a religious program, we hardly find such diversity.

The Sunken Cathedral by Debussy This prelude is based on the legend city of Ys, which was engulfed in the sea. Once in a year, the city was allowed to rise out of the sea as a reminder of city. The prelude starts with the sound of music. And, slowly and gradually, it increases its sound of music, showing something is emerging. Till the point of full emergence, the sound of music keeps maintaining the same rhythm. Then, the sound of music stops for a few moments, giving some feelings that city stays above the sea for a while.

And the city of Ys remain above the sea level for a few moments. Slowly and gradually, that sound of music begins to fall, providing a feel that something is decreasing or going down. The city of Ys is starting to go down into the sea. While decreasing the sound of music, it gives the feelings the city has began to drown slowly again into the sea. The sound of music maintains a very slow pace with every single step showing a declining pattern. Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copeland ‘Fanfare for the common man ‘was one of ten fanfares commissioned by Eugene Goossens for Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in 1942 for fostering patriotic spirit during World War II.

The program of music begins with the sound of music showing that something is emerging from a scene in the initial part of Aaron Copland’s patriotic song. The sound of music remains constant with the same sound, slowly and gradually, it moves with the same sound. It represents as someone has appeared. For a moment, the tune pauses in a way to show a sign of respect for someone. In the next minute, the tune maintains the same rhythm showing or praising someone for their work done. Before ending, the tune again changes its rhythm in a higher sound, thanking the war fighters for the courageous and bold role in the War against the enemy.

Aggregately, this tune increases patriotic feelings for the soldiers. Works cited Byron, Lord, n.d. “Giga Quotes,” available at: http://giga-usa.com/quotes/topics/music_t002.htm ] [[accessed on 19 June, 2011] Copland, Aaron “Fanfare for the common man”, (1942), available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr6CnG5dmvM&feature=related [accessed on 19 June, 2011] Debussy, claude, “The Engulfed Catherdal,” (1862-1918) available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfSBddhFvyA [accessed on 19 June, 2011]