Sample Music Paper on Concert Music

Concert music has evolved from the Baroque era to the modern day with apparent similarities and differences. Changes in technology have not only affected how music is produced, but also how it is performed and experienced. This paper explores the evolution of concert music by observing two live concerts from the two eras. It analyzes the contrasts between the music era and the overall concert experience. The paper then explores the changing role of concerts as well as concert-goers and articulates the reasons people go for concerts. Lastly, the paper explores how changing technologies have influenced the way that music is experienced.

It is necessary to mention that the two concerts were enjoyable. The rock concert was electrically charged with the crowd participating in the performance. The loud music accompanied by the numerous instruments was fast paced leaving one feeling a part of the crowd. The music was also enjoyable and contained a message. Since numerous songs were played back to back, there was a diversity that added to the whole experience. The baroque concert was also enjoyable, as it had soft music accompanied by instrumentals that were soothing to the heart (Vivaldi). The lighting was also ambient, and the performance was well coordinated. The two concerts, although different, were, thus, both enjoyable.

The music in the two eras has numerous similarities and differences. Both eras incorporate the use of instruments in the performance as seen in both concerts. The music is also coordinated and rhythmic and both use contrast for great effect. There are, however, apparent differences. Where the baroque music is slow and deliberate with soft beats, the rock music is loud, contains fast beats, and is more electrically charged. Where the baroque music is performed in quiet concerts with cool lighting and a rather passive crowd, the rock music is performed in halls that have fancy lighting and the crowd is active, just like in Road to Revolution (Park).

The role of concerts has also evolved over the years, but still having the same energy to entertain people. In the classical era, concerts were the primary way that people experienced music besides listening in on the radio. People also did not own music and had to attend live concerts to hear any type of music, whether new or old. In the present era, where music piracy and downloadable music are rife, concerts have been pushed to the background, and people only attend them for the experience or as a social event. Additionally, while before, concerts were the chief way for classical artists to earn an income: presently, live concerts make a small percentage of artists’ income with some artists preferring not to go to the concert.

Music concerts have been preferred since the classical era with big differences on who attended these concerts. In the classical era, concerts were popular among the rich and powerful; and concerts were filled with impeccably dressed ladies and gentlemen. The older generation also attended the most. Concerts have evolved, and, today, there is a clear distinction between the type of the concert and the people attending. A majority of the young generation attends popular rock concerts that are hip with rowdy crowds and a lot of dancing. The older generation prefers attending classical concerts that are quiet with little in the way of dancing. Due to the cheap rates of most concerts by relatively unknown artists, people from all economic and social backgrounds attend live concerts presently.

People attend concerts for many reasons, but there are five recurring themes cited by concert-goers, the chief one being for the experience. Those who go for the experience are either trying to discover a new type of music or a favorite artist live. The experience includes things like the venue, the welcome, the ambiance, and, even, the social constitution of the place that leads to a sense of belonging. People enjoy being around people with similar interests and listening en masse makes live concerts preferable. Additionally, some want to revisit old music by hearing it freshly conceived by a performer, and others state that sitting at a concert uninterrupted is spiritual and inspirational.

Changing technology, such as digital media, the Internet, and smartphones have revolutionized not only how music is made, but also how it is experienced. Novel ways in recording, storing, and transferring music have led to better quality music, but which has been criticized for being too digital. Applications that alter sound, such as auto tune mean that some music today may sound unoriginal. While the traditional music was either heard in concerts or on radio, today’s music can be downloaded over the Internet, streamed live, and heard over Internet radio (Thompson). Most music can, thus, be heard free, and this increases the diversity of music that people hear. Additionally, novel technologies in sound technology mean that people can listen to clear concert-quality music from the comfort of their homes, and without paying a single cent.

In conclusion, both baroque music and modern rock and pop music concerts are enjoyable and have massive crowds. There are, however, many differences with baroque concert music being soft and smooth and performed in quiet halls with cool lighting. Rock concerts, on the other hand, are electrically charged, contain fancy lighting, and involve the crowd more. With the onset of novel technologies, such as Internet radio and downloadable files, concerts have become a formality attended mostly for the experience. Reasons for attending concerts have not changed much, however, with many people citing the experience, spirituality, discovering new music, revisiting old music in a new way, while yet others attend to socialize with other people.

 

Works Cited

Concert for two violins G-minor, RV 517. By Antonio Vivaldi. Perf. Croatian Baroque Ensemble. Croatian Music Institute concert hall, Zagreb. 25 April 2010. Digital. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dfi8p2EBV8>.

Road To Revolution. By Linkin Park. Perf. Linkin Park. Milton Keynes National Bowl, Buckinghamshire. 29 June 2008. Concert. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw4Vhiprm-k>.

Thompson, Derek. Has Technology Changed the Experience of Music? 10 June 2010. Web. 22 November 2016. <http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/06/has-technology-changed-the-experience-of-music/57961/>.

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