Contextual Considerations
Context provides us a window with which we can better understand the time and place a piece of music was created. The context sets a narrative that allows the listener to better conceptualize the ideas before they are heard. There are many specific aspects of context we might concern ourselves with:
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On?
Krzysztof Penderecki: Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima
- Historical context - facts, figures and events relevant to the creation of the music such as wars, protests, musical trends, musical styles, etc.
- Geographical and cultural context - musical and artistic details unique within different geographical locations and/or worldly customs
- Musical context - how it was released, recorded, chronologically written within an artist's repertoire, etc.
- Artist context - biographical information, past musical endeavors, musical style, etc.
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On?
- Marvin Gaye suffered from severe depression and attempted suicide in the late 1960s. He spent many years out of the music business to deal with his condition.
- "In 1969 or 1970, I began to re-evaluate my whole concept of what I wanted my music to say... I was very much affected by letters my brother was sending me from Vietnam, as well as the social situation here at home. I realized that I had to put my own fantasies behind me if I wanted to write songs that would reach the souls of people. I wanted them to take a look at what was happening in the world." —Marvin Gaye
Krzysztof Penderecki: Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima
- Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of WWII
- Only uses of nuclear bombs in war to date
- Directly killed an estimated 80,000 people immediately and totaled upwards of 90,000-160,000 by the end of the year due to effects of radiation
- Based on our discussion on the purpose of music and contextual considerations, I want each of you to go to You Tube and pick a piece of music (from any genre--popular music, classical, jazz...) that had been specifically written for something. Your piece could be a memorial, tribute, celebratory dedication or anything else positive or negative. After you have found your piece, post a YouTube link in the blog with an explanation on the background information of the piece, the performer/composer, historical context, and why you made that decision. The goal here is to get each of you critically thinking about music as it relates to events that happen in society. Music can make a much deeper connection than the groove we all love to move around to...
