The Yesteryears of Music
Written by: Maddison Kurniawan

With over 1,300 music genres all over the world, music has served as one of the most captivating ways of communication, self-expression, appreciation, and entertainment. Nevertheless, its significance is much farther than our expectations, passing through all the walls of auditory delight. Music has the peculiar ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, offering a medium of connection when words fail. Hence, it stands as a silent sentinel among us.

 

Studies have pointed out the universal presence of music in every human society throughout history. Music is one of the ways that inform people about their own personal culture; it helps to preserve the cultural identities of communities as well. Even during the Renaissance, the roots of music can be traced back to ancient and dated civilizations, where music was used for religious ceremonies, storytelling, and perhaps even rituals. In the present day, its purposes have grown, ranging from a way that shares with us the start of something new in someone’s story or the expression of complex emotions associated with love to feelings of vengeance.

 

During the Renaissance, composers introduced one of the first concepts music developed, and that was through polyphonic lines, which were used for both singing and instrumentation.  Through polyphonic lines, the listeners would be able to listen closely to the cooperation of two or more contrasting melodic lines. After a few more centuries, the classical era, often referred to as 'Viennese Classicism, was introduced between 1750 and 1830. It was a musical period where iconic composers such as Mozart and Beethoven emerged, creating timeless works that many of us are familiar with even today.  Decades later came along what most of our grandparents and even parents are familiar with, from the infamous Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and even the legendary Beatles. Over time, the form of music continued to evolve, gradually shaping the remarkable and dynamic sounds of the kind of music we listen to today.

 

In the past, music was dependent on melody, and so the composers had to dedicate a long period of time to compose their own specific music. It was such a lengthy process that making a new song could even take up to several years. Now, with the evolution of technology and creativity, composers can only take a few hours to compose their new songs. Even with just a little flick of editing and random sounds will release a music masterpiece people will listen to.

 

There is still a continuous appreciation for the timeless history of music. In the near future, the music of yesteryears will be cherished as precious relics, while the current kinds of music of today will be treasured as much as the new classics. Undoubtedly, as each piece of music ages, the growing depth of appreciation for music remains to flourish.