On the history of Ukrainian music

MUSIC IN OUR LIFE

(1)

Can you think of a day without music? There is music everywhere: at home, in a concert hall, in parks, at the seaside and even in the forest. People cannot live without music. They listen to music, they dance to music, they learn to play musical instruments. But what is music? Specialists explain it very well. Music isn't combination of pleasant sounds only. It is an art, which reflects life. Music reflects people's ideas and emotions. Music is also a weapon. It fights for light against darkness, for freedom against tyranny, for humanism against barbarity ("Seventh symphony" by Shostakovich, "Sixth symphony" by Tchaikovsky and so on). When speaking of different forms of music I'd like to mention first and foremost classical music. I prefer different musical genres: symphony, concerto, chamber music, vocal music, opera, and ballet. Classical music gives me delight, pleasure, partly sensual, partly intellectual. Classical music is always a complex of emotions, excitement and at the same time, love for others and a desire to do something for them. When listening to classical music I have to combine all my feelings into one and to give it name, it will be happiness. Classical music contains the powerful appeal for listeners. It addresses both our senses and intellect. We are lucky to have such a famous orchestra, which executes music by Beethoven and Mozart, Britten and Gershvin. It is famous all over the world of its original interpretations of classical music. As for me I prefer such musical pieces which are based on the theme of struggle of good against evil. Also I like quiet lyrical piano pieces by Chopin and Prokofiev which are full of enchanting melodies.

Many young people today are gravitating towards new rhythms. This explains why new pop groups are proliferating. Pop has permeated all the mass media. Pop may be said to have emerged in the mid 1950's with the arrival of rock'n'roll. About 99% of pop songs are about love. Nowadays many listeners are rejecting second-rate products, which are nothing but a rehashing of the old numbers. This explains the success achieved by many groups and some other bands of the new generation which are free of false sentiments. They are genuine. The voice of the new groups is pure and clear and they sing about the things that are important in life. A readiness to experiment, favour and sincerity are their hallmark. A simple message conveyed with a good melody has, Ibelieve, been found by the "Beatles". Some of their old songs still enjoy popularity today.

Pop music has always been influenced by other forms of music: by jazz, the blues, classical music etc. Another important influence is folk music. Folk songs are the songs composed and sung by country people. They may be hundreds of years old. Nobody knows who originally composed them. Folk music is often music for dancing. Russian and Ukrainian folk songs are very melodious. I like to listen to Russian and Ukrainian folk songs sung by outstanding singers.

(2)

Music plays an important role in people's life. It forms people's internal world, helps correctly understand occurring events and bring up taste. Outstanding German musician Ludwig van Beethoven told: «Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Famous Russian sculptor Konenkov told: «I never would become the artist, if from childhood would not grow fond music» Music expresses most beautiful and sincere feelings. It is difficult to imagine a person, who would not love music. But everyone understands the role of music by different ways: Superficial or deep and of cause different types of music: Serious and thoughtless. But it doesn't mean that serious music is good music and thoughtless - bad. Simple and thoughtless music is very popular today. It is easier to hear and understand it. Nowadays that kind of music called «POP music». It includes such styles of music as jazz, rock, rap, disco and so on. Such music is necessary to the man, it lifts mood, and also it is easily remembered.

Music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chaykovsky, Grig, Schubert, Rachmaninov - is classic music. it is necessary to learn, to understand it and it is quite accessible to everyone. It is necessary gradually to prepare itself for acquaintance to serious music. Also it is good to learn and find out some information about the composer, about his time, and maybe read literary product to which music is written. Despite of it, classical music is not less popular than POP music. Leading composers are connected to progressive public movements, life, interests and aspirations people. Each nation differs by peculiar national features.

Folk music, being improved by creative efforts of many generations of the people, reaches a high degree of art maturity. On the basis of riches of national music professional musical creativity of composers is developed. Rejection of music from advanced ideas epoch of national culture, national roots of art leads to it's to decline and degeneration. In the simplest terms music can be described as the juxtaposition of two elements that involve pitch and duration and that are usually called melody and rhythm. Millions of people like music and can't imagine their life without it. Music affects the emotions in different ways. Music arouses deep emotions and makes people think. It gives people new energy and optimism, besides music is a wonderful rest, a good way to remove from tiredness and tension, it may just clam a person make him think of some think.

People like different music. Some enjoy only formal music of the 18th century; others prefer romantic music; still others respond only to the modern music of today. There are those who enjoy none of these kinds of music, but the simple folk music of the countryside. There are no right or wrong in this - it is simply a matter of varying sensitivity of different personalities to various kinds of music. The questions, which arise, are how to teach the young people to distinguish between faddish, tasteless imitations and music of enduring quality. Of course classical music is a complicated and exclusive art but it always occupies a worthy place in musical culture. Classical music gives the listener keen delight. It appeals to our intellect. It also has an ethical effect because it changes the listener for the better. The life of a man is very different, sometimes happy, and sometimes dramatic, music gives us possibility to find new strength, to get new energy and desires. That is why each generation and every epoch have their own music to express their desires, hopes and ideals. Nowadays there are a lot of new ideas in music. We can speak about new musical technology. In less than ten years, video, compact discs and computers all became important in the pop industry. Thanks to compact discs, the quality of record sound is better than ever. Thanks to computers it is possible to play and record thousands of new sounds.

 

TYPES OF MUSIC

I. CLASSICAL MUSIC. There is a tendency to use classical music with particular reference to the music of the past, up to and including the 19th century. However, the term ajso includes music being written now, and we may speak of modern classical music.

II. LIGHT CLASSICAL is used for short classical works, which are easy to listen to, either because the composer's aim was simply to entertain.

III. SERIOUS MUSIC. It is sometimes used as a synonym of classical music. Serious music is a wider concept than classical music. It includes classical music, folk music and jazz.

IV. LIGHT MUSIC. It includes light classical music, popular tunes and songs from different sources, both traditional and new, dance music, film music and so on.

V. JAZZ. Popular music first played by Negro groups in the Southern USA in the early 20th century characterized by improvisation and strong rhythms, called traditional jazz; similar music played by

large bands for dancing, a later variation much influenced by the blues to produce an unhurried emotive style called modern jazz.

VI. POP MUSIC is modern music of an uncomplicated character, played mainly on electric guitars and drums often with a singer.

VII. DANCE MUSIC is music used for dancing including jazz and pop music.

VIII. BACKGROUND MUSIC is any music played softly as a background for conversation, etc. Some people put on records as background music when friends come to see them and such music is increasingly heard in public places in Britain: hotel foyers, airports, supermarkets, etc.

IX. CHAMBER MUSIC is orchestral, written for a chamber orchestra, but the category also includes works for smaller groups of instrumentalists or soloists.

 

UKRAINIAN FOLK MUSIC

POPULAR MUSIC

There is a traditional subdivision of music into classical, folk and pop music. People of different ages usually prefer listening to different styles of music, which can probably be explained by psychological qualities of each age group.

Young people normally prefer to listen to different styles of popular music which include rock music, hip-hop music, rhythm and blues, jazz and many others.

Rock, or rock'n'roll is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals, electric guitars, a bass guitar and a strong back beat. The genre of rock is broad, sometimes even soul is included into. It is a genre of music that emerged in the USA in the 1950s. It has been the most popular music genre until the 1990s.

Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music is made of two main components: rapping and DJing (audio mixing and scratching) and is an element of hip hop, a cultural movement that was initiated by city youth. Typically, hip hop music consists of one or more rappers who tell semi-autobiographic tales in a rhythmic lyrical form using alliteration and rhyme. The rapper is accompanied by an instrumental track, a beat, performed by a DJ and created by a producer and one or more instrumentalists. In addition to the beat other sounds are often synthesised or performed.

Rhythm and blues combines jazz and blues, now means the modern version of the soul and funk and was influenced by African American pop music. Country music is a combination of popular musical forms developed in the Southern United States, with roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music and blues. It actually embraces several different genres of music. Reggae is based upon a rhythm style which is characterised by regular chops on the back beat, known as bang, played by a rhythm guitarist and a bass drum hitting on the third beat of each measure.

Psychedelic music, of which acid rock is a form, is a musical style attempting to replicate the experience of drugs. It has lyrics often describing dreams and visions, lengthy instrumental solos, and electronic effects. Techno is a form if electronic music that emerged 1980s and is based on instrumentation and beats per minute.

Punk rock has fast tempos, its songs are normally about two and a half minutes in length, but sometimes are only twenty seven seconds. Instrumentation includes drums, one or two electric guitars, an electric bass, and vocals. Punk vocals are usually nasal or throaty.

Jazz is an original American musical art form which emerged in the 1920s in New Orleans, and is a combination of Western music and African American techniques. It is characterized by syncopation, swing and improvisation. Typical instruments are a saxophone, a trumpet, a trombone, a piano, guitars, drums, and vocals. Blues is a form of music which appeared in the United States in the communities of former African slaves from spirituals and other types of African music. It is characterised by call-and-response patterns in music and lyrics.

As for me, I can't say I prefer to listen to some definite kind of music all the time. The choice of music I listen to depends on my state of mind and mood. I can tell you what kind of music I prefer to listen to when I feel depressed, and it is jazz. The first reason why I do it is that jazz music usually has a powerful rhythm, so it is a kind of music that fills you with energy and strength. Secondly, it provides a brilliant combination of instrumental tunes and voice, which creates unforgettable harmony. Jazz immediately carries me away from my troubles, fills me with hope and joy, even though its tunes are often sad.

 

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times. The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common practice period. It should not be confused with the Classical Era.

European music is largely distinguished from many other non-European and popular musical forms by its system of staff notation, in use since about the 16th century. Western staff notation is used by composers to prescribe to the performer the pitch, speed, meter, individual rhythms and exact execution of a piece of music. This leaves less room for practices such as improvisation and ad libitum ornamentation, that are frequently heard in non-European art music and popular music.

The term "classical music" did not appear until the early 19th century, in an attempt to "canonize" the period from Johann Sebastian Bach to Beethoven as a golden age.

Given the extremely broad variety of forms, styles, genres, and historical periods generally perceived as being described by the term "classical music," it is difficult to list characteristics that can be attributed to all works of that type. Vague descriptions are plentiful, such as describing classical music as anything that "lasts a long time," a statement made rather moot when one considers contemporary composers who are described as classical; or music that has certain instruments like violins, which are also found in other genres. However, there are characteristics that classical music contains that few or no other genres of music contain.

A VISIT TO A CONCERT

I'm fond of music and whenever I have some free time I go to the Concert Hall.
There are a lot of concert halls in our country. Our people are very keen on music. That is why whenever I go to the concert, the hall is always full of people.

As I take a special liking to classical music, I try not to miss solo concerts or symphonic orchestras by the conductors. I like both piano and violin concerts. My sister has a good ear for music, she goes to school for violin lessons. She accompanies me all the time when I go to the conservatoire or to the concert hall. We enjoy music very much.

A concert hall is a cultural building, which serves as performance venue, chiefly for classical instrumental music. Many concert halls exist as one of several halls or performance spaces within a larger performing arts center and, where appropriate, the name of the arts centre is included.

Many larger cities have both public and private concert halls. Particularly in smaller cities with fewer alternative venues, concert halls may also be used to accommodate other activities, from rock concerts to university graduation ceremonies, in addition to their primary purpose.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

The great majority of musical instruments fall readily into one of six major categories: bowed strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard, and the guitar family, the first four of which form the basis of the modern symphony orchestra.

The four principle orchestral string instruments are (in descending order of overall pitch) the violins (usually divided into two sections, playing individual parts), the violas, the cellos and the double basses. Each have four strings arranged in order of pitch, can be played by means of a bow (arco) or plucked (pizzicato), but whereas the violin and viola are played with the instrument resting between the shoulder and the chin, the larger cello (or, to give it its full title, violoncello) is placed facing outwards between and slightly behind the knees, and the bulky double bass is played standing up or seated on a high stool.

Enthusiasts of Medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque music will encounter earlier varieties of bowed instruments known variously as vielle, viol, or in its earliest form, fidel (hence the modern nickname for a violin, 'fiddle'). The most popular member of the viol family is the cello's precursor, the viola da gamba (literally 'viol of the legs').

The four principle woodwind instruments of the orchestra all work by means of a system of keys (usually silver-plated) which when variously depressed and released allow air to pass through differing lengths of the instrument resulting in notes of different pitch. In order of descending overall pitch, these are: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon.

Brass instruments are also activated by blowing into them, although instead of using a form of reed over which the mouth is placed, the lips are placed against or inside the cup of a metal mouthpiece, and made to vibrate against its inner rim. In order of descending pitch, these are: Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Tuba.

A percussion instrument is probably best defined as one where a resonating surface is struck by the player, either by hand or by some form of stick. These divide roughly into tuned instruments which have a definite pitch or series of pitches, and those of indefinite pitch. Popular examples of both types are: Tuned and Indefinite pitch.

Conveniently collected together as any instrument which is operated by means of a standard keyboard, the differences in operation are wide-ranging and carry obvious associations with certain of the above categories. These break down into four main types: Plucked, Struck,
Aerated, Electronic.

The 'classical' guitar is typically a Spanish-derived, six-stringed instrument played using a plectrum or the finger-nails, with frets set into the fingerboard. Popular music tends to use amplification for both six-stringed instruments and the four-string bass guitar. The guitar family gradually supplanted the lute which had come to prominence during the Renaissance.

MY FUTURE PROFESSION

(1) MUSICIAN

A musician is an instrumentalist, composer or singer who creates and performs music. This can be recorded in a studio or performed live, either as a soloist or in a group of musicians. It may involve working as a salaried member of a group or could be in the form of freelance work for several organisations.

Musicians usually specialise in a particular type of music although there can be the opportunity to move between genres. The job requires high levels of skill, expertise and dedication especially since competition to work in this field is high. Most musicians do their job as they have a passion for music and a strong desire to perform.

Many of a musician's activities will be similar regardless of the specific field or genre they work in. However, there will be variations between someone who is a full-time member of an orchestra and someone who works freelance in another field such as jazz or rock.

General tasks for all musicians can include:

· performing in concerts and participating in recording sessions;

· practising regularly;

· preparing for and attending rehearsals;

· maintaining the instrument;

· setting up/tuning the instrument and other equipment as well as arranging for its transportation, if it is large;

· learning new pieces of music to extend your repertoire;

· handling the administration of business activities, such as organising publicity and negotiating fees;

· seeking out and liaising with new venues in which to perform;

· delivering educational work in schools, businesses and the wider community.

Many musicians also work in a related area such as the arts, or teach in order to support their career as a performer.

(2) Music Teacher

As you might have guessed, music teachers teach music! But that teaching can take on many different forms. Some are vocal coaches, some teach instruments, some teach music theory, and some do a combination of different types of teaching. Some music teachers are tied to a school or a business and some teach music independently.

The career path you take as music teacher can vary greatly. It simply depends on the kind of teaching that interests you most.

Music Teachers in Schools:

Most of us have had experience with these kinds of music teachers. As a school based music teacher, you will rove from classroom to classroom providing music instruction. The exact curriculum you cover will be dictated by the school district and the grade levels with which you are working. Usually there is a heavy emphasis on vocal instruction and music theory.

Some schools have elective music classes that go a little deeper into music - teaching instruments, working more on music theory, and so on. Music teachers may also be responsible for devising school musical productions and/or coaching the school band.

Music Teachers in Businesses:

Some music instrument shops have in-house music teachers. This set-up can work in a few different ways:

• Independent music teachers may "rent" space in the shop, like an independent hair dresser rents salon space, and set their own prices
• Workers in the shop may teach music on the side in the shop and share income with the business
• The business has dedicated music teachers on staff

Again, these music teachers may handle vocal instruction, instrument instruction or all of the above. Lessons may be private or group.

Private Music Teachers/Independent Music Teachers: As mentioned in the section above, sometimes, independent music teachers can work in a specific location, renting out space. Other times, private music teachers travel to the homes their students or teach lessons out of their own home. In terms of the subject matter, working as a private music tutor is the same as working in a school or business - you can teach whatever aspect of music you have the most skill and feel comfortable teaching. The difference is that these music teachers are self employed. Sometimes, private music teachers teach music as a second job, and some do this work full time.

Qualifications Required to Be a Music Teacher: The qualifications you need to be a music teacher depend on the career path you choose. Of course you will need to be proficient at the subject you're teaching, but if you are self employed for instance, there is no outside vetting process that you need to pass before you advertise your services as music instructor (though judgment will be passed soon enough if your students aren't thrilled with your know-how!). On the other end of the spectrum, to work in a school, you'll likely need a degree, preferably music related, and depending on your location, possibly a teaching certificate as well.

MY FAVOURITE SINGER

(1)

MY FAVOURITE BAND

MY FAVOURITE COMPOSER

(1)

Wilhelm Richard Wagner ( 22 May1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German composer, conductor, theatre director and polemicist primarily known for his operas (or "music dramas", as he later called them). Wagner's compositions, particularly those of his later period, are notable for their complex texture, rich harmonies and orchestration, and the elaborate use of leitmotifs: musical themes associated with individual characters, places, ideas or plot elements. Unlike most other opera composers, Wagner wrote both the music and libretto for every one of his stage works. Perhaps the two best-known extracts from his works are the Ride of the Valkyries from the opera Die Walküre, and the Wedding March (Bridal Chorus) from the opera Lohengrin.

Initially establishing his reputation as a composer of works such as The Flying Dutchman and Tannhäuser which were broadly in the romantic vein of Weber and Meyerbeer, Wagner transformed operatic thought through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk ("total work of art"). This would achieve the synthesis of all the poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts and was announced in a series of essays between 1849 and 1852. Wagner realized this concept most fully in the first half of the monumental four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen. However, his thoughts on the relative importance of music and drama were to change again, and he reintroduced some traditional operatic forms into his last few stage works, including Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg.

Wagner pioneered advances in musical language, such as extreme chromaticism and quickly shifting tonal centres, which greatly influenced the development of European classical music. His Tristan und Isolde is sometimes described as marking the start of modern music. Wagner's influence spread beyond music into philosophy, literature, the visual arts and theatre. He had his own opera house built, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, which contained many novel design features. It was here that the Ring and Parsifal received their premieres and where his most important stage works continue to be performed today in an annual festival run by his descendants. Wagner's views on conducting were also highly influential. His extensive writings on music, drama and politics have all attracted extensive comment in recent decades, especially where they have antisemitic content.

Wagner achieved all of this despite a life characterized, until his last decades, by political exile, turbulent love affairs, poverty and repeated flight from his creditors. His pugnacious personality and often outspoken views on music, politics and society made him a controversial figure during his life, which he remains to this day. The effect of his ideas can be traced in many of the arts throughout the twentieth century.

(2)

BENJAMIN BRITTEN B. Britten was an outstanding English composer of our time. He was born in England in 1913. He was, in fact, a remarkable child. At the age of five he began to compose. Soon it became evident enough that his musical gifts would have to be taken very seriously indeed.

His earliest compositions were inspired by his daily adventures. Everything from a storm at sea to a storm in the family teacup, was grist to his mill. For the youthful Britten it was a normal thing to express himself in music as in ordinary everyday speech. By the time he was 14 he had written ten sonates, six string quartets, and oratorio, and a number of songs and piano pieces. His "Simple Symphony", though written in 1934, is based on ideas from the music of his childhood.

His career as a professional composer began in earnest in 1934. He began to produce the works that were to bring him the taste of fame. The set of choral variations "A Boy Was Born", which received its first performance in a BBC broadcast early in 1934, advanced his reputation as a composer of serious intent. There was a special feature of Britten's genius: the capacity to write charming and effective music that is within the reach of amateur performers.

He loved children and wrote many works for them. A book of songs "Friday Afternoon", his children's opera "Let's Make an Opera" are simple and very nice.

Britten followed the musical traditions of realism. Two of his most important compositions are the opera "Peter Grimes" and the "War Requiem".

Benjamin Britten often appeared as conductor and pianist in England and abroad. He often came to Russia.

(3)

Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the greatest composers in Western musical history. More than 1,000 of his compositions survive. He came from a family of musicians. There were over 53 musicians in his family over a period of 300 years. Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany in 1685. His father was a talented violinist. When his parents died, he was only 10 years old. He went to stay with his older brother, Johann Christoph, who was a professional organist, and continued his younger brother's musical education. After several years in this arrangement, Johann Sebastian won a scholarship to study in Luneberg, Northern Germany. A master of several instruments while still in his teens, Johann Sebastian first found employment at the age of 18 as a 'lackey and violinist' in a court orchestra in Weimar; and soon after he took the job of an organist at a church in Arnstadt.

He married his cousin Maria Barbara Bach and assumed the post of organist and concertmaster in the ducal chapel in Weimar. He remained there for nine years, and composed his first major works, including organ showpieces and cantatas. By this stage in his life, Bach had developed a reputation as a brilliant musical talent. His proficiency on the organ was unequaled in Europe, and he toured regularly.

His growing mastery of compositional forms, like the fugue and the canon, was already attracting interest from the musical establishment which, in his day, was the Lutheran church. But, like many people of uncommon talent, he was never very good at playing the political game, and therefore suffered periodic setbacks in his career. When his wife died, he remarried and had 11 children in both marriages. Several of these children would become fine composers. After conducting and composing for the court orchestra at Cothen for seven years, Bach was offered the highly prestigious post of cantor (music director) of St. Thomas' Church in Leipzig. Bach remained at his post in Leipzig until his death in 1750.

He was creatively active until the very end, even after cataract problems virtually blinded him in 1740. His last musical composition, a chorale prelude entitled 'Before Thine Throne, My God, I Stand', was dictated to his son-in-law only days before his death.

MUSIC IN OUR LIFE

(1)

Can you think of a day without music? There is music everywhere: at home, in a concert hall, in parks, at the seaside and even in the forest. People cannot live without music. They listen to music, they dance to music, they learn to play musical instruments. But what is music? Specialists explain it very well. Music isn't combination of pleasant sounds only. It is an art, which reflects life. Music reflects people's ideas and emotions. Music is also a weapon. It fights for light against darkness, for freedom against tyranny, for humanism against barbarity ("Seventh symphony" by Shostakovich, "Sixth symphony" by Tchaikovsky and so on). When speaking of different forms of music I'd like to mention first and foremost classical music. I prefer different musical genres: symphony, concerto, chamber music, vocal music, opera, and ballet. Classical music gives me delight, pleasure, partly sensual, partly intellectual. Classical music is always a complex of emotions, excitement and at the same time, love for others and a desire to do something for them. When listening to classical music I have to combine all my feelings into one and to give it name, it will be happiness. Classical music contains the powerful appeal for listeners. It addresses both our senses and intellect. We are lucky to have such a famous orchestra, which executes music by Beethoven and Mozart, Britten and Gershvin. It is famous all over the world of its original interpretations of classical music. As for me I prefer such musical pieces which are based on the theme of struggle of good against evil. Also I like quiet lyrical piano pieces by Chopin and Prokofiev which are full of enchanting melodies.

Many young people today are gravitating towards new rhythms. This explains why new pop groups are proliferating. Pop has permeated all the mass media. Pop may be said to have emerged in the mid 1950's with the arrival of rock'n'roll. About 99% of pop songs are about love. Nowadays many listeners are rejecting second-rate products, which are nothing but a rehashing of the old numbers. This explains the success achieved by many groups and some other bands of the new generation which are free of false sentiments. They are genuine. The voice of the new groups is pure and clear and they sing about the things that are important in life. A readiness to experiment, favour and sincerity are their hallmark. A simple message conveyed with a good melody has, Ibelieve, been found by the "Beatles". Some of their old songs still enjoy popularity today.

Pop music has always been influenced by other forms of music: by jazz, the blues, classical music etc. Another important influence is folk music. Folk songs are the songs composed and sung by country people. They may be hundreds of years old. Nobody knows who originally composed them. Folk music is often music for dancing. Russian and Ukrainian folk songs are very melodious. I like to listen to Russian and Ukrainian folk songs sung by outstanding singers.

(2)

Music plays an important role in people's life. It forms people's internal world, helps correctly understand occurring events and bring up taste. Outstanding German musician Ludwig van Beethoven told: «Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Famous Russian sculptor Konenkov told: «I never would become the artist, if from childhood would not grow fond music» Music expresses most beautiful and sincere feelings. It is difficult to imagine a person, who would not love music. But everyone understands the role of music by different ways: Superficial or deep and of cause different types of music: Serious and thoughtless. But it doesn't mean that serious music is good music and thoughtless - bad. Simple and thoughtless music is very popular today. It is easier to hear and understand it. Nowadays that kind of music called «POP music». It includes such styles of music as jazz, rock, rap, disco and so on. Such music is necessary to the man, it lifts mood, and also it is easily remembered.

Music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chaykovsky, Grig, Schubert, Rachmaninov - is classic music. it is necessary to learn, to understand it and it is quite accessible to everyone. It is necessary gradually to prepare itself for acquaintance to serious music. Also it is good to learn and find out some information about the composer, about his time, and maybe read literary product to which music is written. Despite of it, classical music is not less popular than POP music. Leading composers are connected to progressive public movements, life, interests and aspirations people. Each nation differs by peculiar national features.

Folk music, being improved by creative efforts of many generations of the people, reaches a high degree of art maturity. On the basis of riches of national music professional musical creativity of composers is developed. Rejection of music from advanced ideas epoch of national culture, national roots of art leads to it's to decline and degeneration. In the simplest terms music can be described as the juxtaposition of two elements that involve pitch and duration and that are usually called melody and rhythm. Millions of people like music and can't imagine their life without it. Music affects the emotions in different ways. Music arouses deep emotions and makes people think. It gives people new energy and optimism, besides music is a wonderful rest, a good way to remove from tiredness and tension, it may just clam a person make him think of some think.

People like different music. Some enjoy only formal music of the 18th century; others prefer romantic music; still others respond only to the modern music of today. There are those who enjoy none of these kinds of music, but the simple folk music of the countryside. There are no right or wrong in this - it is simply a matter of varying sensitivity of different personalities to various kinds of music. The questions, which arise, are how to teach the young people to distinguish between faddish, tasteless imitations and music of enduring quality. Of course classical music is a complicated and exclusive art but it always occupies a worthy place in musical culture. Classical music gives the listener keen delight. It appeals to our intellect. It also has an ethical effect because it changes the listener for the better. The life of a man is very different, sometimes happy, and sometimes dramatic, music gives us possibility to find new strength, to get new energy and desires. That is why each generation and every epoch have their own music to express their desires, hopes and ideals. Nowadays there are a lot of new ideas in music. We can speak about new musical technology. In less than ten years, video, compact discs and computers all became important in the pop industry. Thanks to compact discs, the quality of record sound is better than ever. Thanks to computers it is possible to play and record thousands of new sounds.

 

TYPES OF MUSIC

I. CLASSICAL MUSIC. There is a tendency to use classical music with particular reference to the music of the past, up to and including the 19th century. However, the term ajso includes music being written now, and we may speak of modern classical music.

II. LIGHT CLASSICAL is used for short classical works, which are easy to listen to, either because the composer's aim was simply to entertain.

III. SERIOUS MUSIC. It is sometimes used as a synonym of classical music. Serious music is a wider concept than classical music. It includes classical music, folk music and jazz.

IV. LIGHT MUSIC. It includes light classical music, popular tunes and songs from different sources, both traditional and new, dance music, film music and so on.

V. JAZZ. Popular music first played by Negro groups in the Southern USA in the early 20th century characterized by improvisation and strong rhythms, called traditional jazz; similar music played by

large bands for dancing, a later variation much influenced by the blues to produce an unhurried emotive style called modern jazz.

VI. POP MUSIC is modern music of an uncomplicated character, played mainly on electric guitars and drums often with a singer.

VII. DANCE MUSIC is music used for dancing including jazz and pop music.

VIII. BACKGROUND MUSIC is any music played softly as a background for conversation, etc. Some people put on records as background music when friends come to see them and such music is increasingly heard in public places in Britain: hotel foyers, airports, supermarkets, etc.

IX. CHAMBER MUSIC is orchestral, written for a chamber orchestra, but the category also includes works for smaller groups of instrumentalists or soloists.

 

ON THE HISTORY OF UKRAINIAN MUSIC

 

Traditional Ukrainian music is easily recognized by its somewhat melancholy tone. It first became known outside of Ukraine during the 18th century as musicians from Ukraine would perform before the royal courts in Russia and Poland. Ukraine's music history spans back many years and remains popular today.

The bandura is commonly heard in Ukrainian music particularly those of the folk and semi-classical genres. A musical instrument from the 19th century, the bandura's forerunners were the kobza and torban. The use of these fascinating instruments is facing a revival in recent years. During the 15th century Ukrainian musicians, referred to as kobzari would sing epic poems whilst accompanying themselves on the kobza. A professional guild was established for the kobzari and was called “Kobzar Guild”. Sadly the kobzari suffered great losses during Stalin's rulership, but the guild is once again very active in Ukraine.

Early on in the 1900s, Ukrainian musicians in the USA were able to keep traditional music from Ukraine alive when it almost disappeared in its homeland. One fiddler who gained great fame in USA was Pavlo Humeniuk. In previous decades, polyphony was a common sound in music from Ukraine and certain groups have kept it going. However, today, pop and rock seem to be taking over the scene.

Certain tribes within Ukraine are known for their own unique music. The Hutsuls of the Carpathian Mountains make use of a trembita (alpenhorn) and different flutes. A great example of the rhythms and melodies of Hutsul folk music was seen in Ruslana Lyzhichko's performance at the 2004 Eurovision contest.

Many talented musicians and bands have come out of Ukraine. Some of them are dedicated to preserving the original traditional sounds of Ukrainian music whilst others have introduced new styles such as Ukrainian pop music. Ukraine is also well-known for its many great classical music performers.

Ukraine's music has had a long and successful history and continues to make waves throughout the world. Why not listen to some music from Ukraine online, you are certain to enjoy it.

 

 

UKRAINIAN FOLK MUSIC