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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, mousiké, '(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 (auto-generated)
- ... that when Lviv-born Maria Moscisca performed the title role of Verdi's La traviata at the San Francisco Opera in 1913, a review described her as "the impersonation of grace and refinement"?
- ... that New York's Wieting Opera House burnt down and was rebuilt on three separate occasions by its proprietors, John Wieting and Mary Elizabeth Wieting?
- ... that after George Alexander Albrecht collapsed when conducting Beethoven's Ninth Symphony during a New Year's concert, he returned to composing and began hospice work?
- ... that American soprano Emily Pogorelc went from winning the 2018 "Most Promising Talent" prize at Glyndebourne to appearing as Mozart's Cherubino at the Munich Opera Festival?
- ... that the Polish mezzo-soprano Agnieszka Rehlis, who sang on the Grammy Award–winning album Penderecki conducts Penderecki, was Verdi's Azucena in Zürich in 2021?
- ... that the Polish soprano Zofia Kilanowicz appeared as Roxana in Szymanowski's King Roger in Paris, and recorded Górecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs?
Today's Birthdays
- Birthdays in Music: May 2
- Mickey Bass, American bass player, turns 79.
- Larry Gatlin, American country singer and songwriter, turns 74.
- Eric Person, American flautist and saxophonist, turns 59.
- Lorie (singer), (born Laure Pester) French pop music singer, turns 40.
- Lily Allen, English singer, turns 37.
- Nana Kitade, Japanese j-pop singer, turns 35.
- Sara Forsberg, Finnish singer and songwriter, turns 28.
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WikiProjects connected with music: WikiProject Music – 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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