A Glorious Symphony
Music has gone through several different eras across the years. Each era plays an important role in music history and development and is characterized by its style, innovations, composers, etc. There are many things to learn from the past and the history of music. This art has proven to come and be appreciated in countless forms and is among the most beautiful things in life. The advances and legacies of music can be attributed to the great composers, professors, musicians, and historians who have dedicated their lives to this fine and unequaled art.
Among the great compositions that music has given us is the symphony. Symphonies have also developed and had significant changes, and they are widely recognized for their complexity and grandiosity.
The article titled “Symphony” by Jan Larue expresses how the orchestra was often compared to the ideal society, in which, no one stands out, and all individuals give their part to create something glorious as a whole. They are all included; they are all important, and they all work together as one. It is fantastic to see how the combination of so many instruments — and on occasions, vocals, such as in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony — can create something that a single person could not be able to emulate. In fact, the fourth movement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony — which is acknowledged for its choral music — contains the words by Friedrich Schiller’s poem “Ode to Joy”, which talks about this “utopian brotherhood” and the power of joy in humanity. The powerful words of this piece teach what a world living in symphony would be like: “All that custom has divided, All men become brothers…” and ends with the encouragement of following the Creator and worshiping Him together. Such integration, fellowship, and love can surpass anything else and make people experience the happiest of feelings.
Can symphonies do that? Have symphonies done that? I, myself, can say that I have experienced the happiness that Schiller describes. Mahler said: “The symphony must be like the world; it must be all-embracing”, and that reminds me of a very special called “Glorious”, popularly performed by David Archuleta. This song says:
It’s like a symphony
Just keep listening
And pretty soon you’ll start
To figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece
And there are melodies
In each one of us
Ooh it’s glorious
Symphonies do create a sense of unanimity, brotherhood, and unity that are rare in other circumstances. No one gets to “sit on the bench” without eventually playing and contributing to something that is indeed glorious.
In contrast to Sonatas, for example, Symphonies targeted a larger audience and were also performed for a bigger number of people. The places where the symphonies were performed also grew in size, and the elements of symphonies changed over time.
The impact that Beethoven has had on music is beyond belief. He did wonders during his lifetime, for which he was recognized and admired and continues to be. He inspired and influenced the lives of his listeners, followers, and many others and has left one of the most remarkable legacies in the world. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is one of his most famous symphonies and with one of the most significant historical impacts. However, according to Jan Larue, “it is impossible to single out any one of his symphonies as ‘typical’” for he explored so many different and innovative ideas with all of his pieces and created extraordinary compositions.
There is no doubt that Beethoven is one of the greatest and most influential composers of all time. He gave a great treasure to the world, and by listening to his masterpieces, one can agree to the comparison of how symphonies can be represented as an ideal society, which works together constantly as a whole to make something glorious and beautiful.
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