So here we are at last, the 21st century!
Music has grown into a wide variety of different genres all over the world. Some people would argue that music has skyrocketed since the time of Mozart and Bach, that music today is completely different. It only sounds different because the musical instruments of today are significantly more technical. Today’s musicians use synthesizers, electric guitars, drum machines and equalizers to create a “modern” sound. But the foundation of the music modern musicians play is still found in the keys of the music and their chord progression.
Johan Feigenbaum proves that music today has direct ties to classical music in his performance of “Yeethoven.” He performs across the US with a string orchestra combining the music of acclaimed musician Kanye West and the romantic composer Beethoven. The group eventually got the attention of Kanye and would go on to cover beats for multiple upcoming songs such as “New Slaves” and “Waves”. In both of these songs we see direct correlation to some of Beethoven’s finest works. Spencer Kornhaber a writer for “The Atlantic” puts it as “the jarring tonal switch in the end of “New Slaves,” recalling the turn at the close of Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture.” Another: the way West’s “Waves” uses its high end to keep time and its low end to convey melody, much like in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8.” (Jackson, The Atlantic.)With all of these classical ties to Kanye’s music and many other musicians, We can see that classical music has a large impact on music today, and probably will continue to do so for many years to come.
Classical music doesn’t just affect big musicians of today, it will go on to affect aspiring young musicians of the future. During an interview with talented cellist Kayla Keats of Highland Park High School we hear about this impact. When asked if she thought that music today is connected to the past, she responded with “Absolutely I do. How could it not be since every song has roots in classical music since it really was one of the first explorations of tone. Especially in modern movies we see the inclusion of classic classical songs like the prelude in Master and Commander or Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in literally every bank robbing scene ever. The things that we play are inspired by the things we’ve heard whether we want them to be or not.” That idea that music created today is more often than not inspired by other pieces we’ve heard directly corresponds to the romantic ideology of being the inspired creator. So even the things that inspire us still link back to the past. In terms of Music theory we can go back even further to Pythagoras who created the first 12 note scale. Music would be nothing like it is today without help from the past.
So that brings us to me. My name is John Bryant and like Kayla I’ve been playing cello for a majority of my life. Every musician has their ‘this is me’ moment – a single event that would change the course of their life. For me, that was first performing the prelude to Bach’s 1st cello suite. Perhaps the most iconic piece for cello, it is still studied by masters of the instrument. So to me, this was the true start of my celloing journey and my journey of musicianship.
I remember the day clearly. Blinding light was shining from my window on the well worn cello case that stood in front of my bed. We had a long drive ahead of us to an unfamiliar high school, where middle schoolers from across the state would perform. As the car drew nearer and nearer down the dirty road, I listened to the prelude over and over again, planning a road map for how I would express certain parts of the piece. Just then shining light was blasting right into the front window as if it were hiding the high school and what might be my fate. From then on I can remember the countless lines of people, my nerves began to kick in and everything began to feel hot and claustrophobic. Finally after waiting for what seemed like days, I walked up onto the stage. This was one of those cliche moments where a large spotlight is covering you while the judges in the audiences remain faceless, as ghosts in your closet. Deep breath, deep breath I told myself. Once I pulled onto the string, there was no going back. I had memorized the first famous couple of notes and was able to close my eyes for a brief second, replaying what I had heard in the recording. With each passing bar of notes I was onto the finale, this grandioso of rising chords, getting closer and closer to the very first chord. Then it hit, that satisfactory moment of ahhhhhhhhh. As I opened my eyes, I was immediately drawn to that same shimmer of light leaking from the upper windows in the back of the room, putting an end to a very long day. Right then and there, I knew I would probably keep playing the cello for the rest of my life.
So that’s where music is now, whether it be discovering beats invented by Beethoven, or combining classical with the new school. I truly believe that we are incredibly fortunate to live in a time where music is so abundant. Not only that but to have such great figures from the past to light the way for musicians of the future. Who knows what the future may hold? What instrument is next? Who will be the next Mozart? Yet I know for a fact that the journey of music is far from over and I for one, am looking forward to what may come.