Portal:Music
The Music Portal
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Music is the art of arranging sounds in time through the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre. It is one of the universal cultural aspects of all human societies. General definitions of music include common elements such as pitch (which governs melody and harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics (loudness and softness), and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture (which are sometimes termed the "color" of a musical sound). Different styles or types of music may emphasize, de-emphasize or omit some of these elements. Music is performed with a vast range of instruments and vocal techniques ranging from singing to rapping; there are solely instrumental pieces, solely vocal pieces (such as songs without instrumental accompaniment) and pieces that combine singing and instruments. The word derives from Greek μουσική (mousike; "(art) of the Muses").
In its most general form, the activities describing music as an art form or cultural activity include the creation of works of music (songs, tunes, symphonies, and so on), the criticism of music, the study of the history of music, and the aesthetic examination of music. Ancient Greek and Indian philosophers defined music in two parts: melodies, as tones ordered horizontally, and harmonies as tones ordered vertically. Common sayings such as "the harmony of the spheres" and "it is music to my ears" point to the notion that music is often ordered and pleasant to listen to. However, 20th-century composer John Cage thought that any sound can be music, saying, for example, "There is no noise, only sound."
The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of music vary according to culture and social context. Indeed, throughout history, some new forms or styles of music have been criticized as "not being music", including Beethoven's Grosse Fuge string quartet in 1825, early jazz in the beginning of the 1900s and hardcore punk in the 1980s. There are many types of music, including popular music, traditional music, art music, music written for religious ceremonies, and work songs such as chanteys. Music ranges from strictly organized compositions—such as Classical music symphonies from the 1700s and 1800s—through to spontaneously played improvisational music such as jazz, and avant-garde styles of chance-based contemporary music from the 20th and 21st centuries. (Full article...)
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Did you know...
- ... that when conductor Hans Drewanz, a personal assistant to Georg Solti at the Oper Frankfurt, became Generalmusikdirektor in Darmstadt, he was the youngest GMD in Germany?
- ... that the finale of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 31 sees a gradual "return to life" and ends with a "passionate" and "heroic" coda?
- ... that Hugo Marchand was named an étoile of Paris Opera Ballet at age 23, after he made an unexpected role debut when the company was touring in Japan?
- ... that Gottfried Hornik, a baritone at the Vienna State Opera for 25 years, appeared in his signature role of Beckmesser from Aachen and Barcelona in 1976 to the Municipal Theatre of Santiago in 2001?
- ... that although Dmitri Shostakovich initially dismissed his own Piano Sonata No. 2 as a "trifle, something impromptu", he would later consider it his most important piano composition?
Today's Birthdays
- Birthdays in Music: October 10
- Junior Mance, American pianist, turns 93.
- Cecil Bridgewater, American trumpeter, turns 79.
- Alan Cartwright, Brit bassist with Procol Harum, turns 76.
- Ben Vereen, American performer, turns 75.
- Cyril Neville, American percussionist with The Meters, The Neville Brothers, turns 73.
- Midge Ure, Scottish guitarist and vocalist for Ultravox and Slik, turns 71.
- David Lee Roth, American vocalist with Van Halen, turns 66.
- Johnny O'Neal, American bebop and soul jazz pianist, turns 65.
- Tanya Tucker, American country music singer, turns 63.
- Jodi Benson, American voice actress and singer, turns 60.
- Jonathan Butler, South African guitarist and vocalist, turns 60.
- Jim Glennie, Brit bassist for James, turns 58.
- Graham Crabb, Brit drummer for Pop Will Eat Itself, turns 57.
- Rebecca Pidgeon, American actress and singer; wife to David Mamet, turns 56.
- Mike Malinin, American drummer for Goo Goo Dolls, turns 54.
- Corinna May, German singer, turns 51.
- Evgeny Kissin, Russian pianist, turns 50.
- Scott Morriss, Brit bassist for The Bluetones, turns 48.
- Mýa Harrison, American R&B singer and songwriter, turns 42.
- Tim Maurer, American singer of Suburban Legends, turns 41.
- Lzzy Hale, American singer, musician, and songwriter from Halestorm, turns 38.
- Cherie, French pop music singer, turns 37.
- Stephanie Cheng, Hong Kong singer, turns 37.
- Marina and the Diamonds , (born Marina Lambrini Diamandis), Welsh singer, turns 36.
- Gabriella Cilmi, Australian singer, turns 30.
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WikiProjects connected with music: Main project – Songs – Albums – Alternative music - Classical music – Composers – Contemporary Christian music – Contemporary music – Electronic music – Emo music – Hip hop – Instruments – Led Zeppelin - Metal music – Jazz – Musicians – Opera – Panic at the Disco – Powderfinger (band) – Punk music – Record Labels – Record Production – Rock music – R&B and Soul Music – Terminology – The Beatles
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Improve an article: See the Music Noticeboard for a list of tasks.
Start a music course: School of Music at Wikiversity
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