Euro American Musics

Students gain insight into how European musical traditions impacted early American music. They examine how immigrants adapted musical styles to their new culture, creating music with depth and drama while still remaining accessible enough for amateur musical ensembles to perform effectively.

Piano music, songs and small-scale choral pieces by European composers who enjoyed modest American success are well represented here. Additionally, an excellent selection of major operatic arias and ensembles in accurate voice-and-piano editions.

Classical

Before the early 1900s, classical music in America was predominantly created by European immigrants who had settled here permanently. Composers such as Benjamin West and Samuel Morse attempted to capture traditional European art forms in their compositions without resorting to popular American forms.

American publishers found enough revenue in piano works, songs and small-scale choral music to sustain European composers for many years; not symphonies though! Medley overtures, potpourris quadrilles and easy piano versions of operas by Sullivan, Strauss, Offenbach Jacques Offenbach Charles Lecocq Franz Abt were more suitable fare for American performers.

Timeless music soon began reflecting the diversity of American society. Composers such as Ives incorporated American melodies and styles into their work to convey themes or convey messages; using cumulative form in his symphonies which develop themes gradually in reverse order of traditional European sonata structure.

Light Music

Some years back, I saw a question posted to an Internet classical music discussion site pertaining to Light Music, asking what it exactly is.

Your question is an excellent one and the answer lies within orchestral music that strives to avoid being too ‘serious.” This includes broadly romantic themes suitable for main titles, lighthearted pizzicato and string fantasias, clever novelty pieces, melodic marches, as well as jazz-influenced sophisticated arrangements.

Light Music composers drew upon a wide variety of sources for inspiration, particularly light classical compositions (from ballet and operetta scores to Broadway musical theatre), big band composers’ work (as it evolved into Swing Music) and popular song repertoires.

Unfortunately, American educators’ and record companies’ inattention have rendered much of the public unaware of earlier styles and their value; consequently, most know nothing more about Light Instrumental Music other than what can be heard on popular radio stations or as canned enthusiasm in oldies shows that still dominate airwaves.

Folk

Folk music reflects and communicates the traditions and customs of its culture while reflecting everyday events in its lyrics. It often follows a strophic form with lyrics that convey everyday events or reflect life stories from its singers.

Folk themes soon entered classical music through nationalistic composers like Antonin Dvorak who used them to demonstrate pride for their homelands in their compositions. Even rock ‘n roll can trace its roots back to folk music; many classic tracks like Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes” incorporate folk elements such as strophic songs and acoustic guitar melodies into its melody lines.

Europeans today enjoy American music through Eurovision and contemporary artists from England, Sweden and Ireland. Jazz in particular has made an indelible mark on European musical tradition by merging formal Euro-American harmonies with African rhythms and blues tonality in its melodies and rhythms.

Pop

Pop music’s worldwide appeal has helped unify commercial music cultures across the globe, while simultaneously serving unintentional purposes like Americanization of other countries and homogenization of cultures as well as cultural imperialism.

In the 1980s, we saw many one-hit wonders come and go. Pop musicians were increasingly concerned with projecting an image onstage and in music videos; boy bands such as Take That, S Club 7 and Boyzone emerged. From UK singers such as Siouxsie & the Banshees, UB40 and Dexy’s Midnight Runners emerged during this time period as well.

Mariah Carey and Madonna continued their dominance of US charts; while teenage singers such as Hilary Duff and Avril Lavigne achieved prominence through American Idol. Meanwhile, Italo disco and Euro house music styles were dominant styles across central Europe during this period.