Arts Essays
African Art
African Art The traditional art of Africa plays a major part in the African society. Most ceremonies and activities (such as singing, dancing, storytelling, ect.) can not function without visual art. It can also be used as an implement and insignia of rank or prestige, or have a religious significance.African art consists mainly of sculptures, paintings, fetishes, masks, figures, and decorative objects. Sculptures are considered to be the greatest achievement for...
Existentialism and Theatre
Existentialism and Theatre Existentialism is a concept that became popular during the second World War in France, and just after it. French playrights have often used the stage to express their views, and these views came to surface even during a Nazi occupation. Bernard Shaw got his play "Saint Joan" past the German censors because it appeared to be very Anti-British. French audiences however immediately understood the real meaning of the play, and replaced the British wit...
Beatlemania in the 1960s
Beatlemania in the 1960s The Beatles were a mystical happening that many people still don't understand. Phenomenoligists had a ball in 1964 with Beatlemania, a generally harmless form of madness which came from Britain in 1963. The sole cause of Beatlemania is a quartet of young Englishmen known as the Beatles. In the less than one year that they achieved popularity in England to the time they came to America, The Beatles achieved a popularity and following that is unpreced...
A History of Handel
A History of Handel Georg Friedrich Handel was one of the most accomplished Baroque composers in his time. Born in Halle, Germany in 1685, he was the son of a wealthy barber who wanted his son to become a lawyer. However, he displayed such musical aptitude with the harpsichord, organ, oboe, counterpoint and fugue, he became an assistant with Friedrich Zachav, organist of the cathedral of Halle. However, Handel entered the University of Halle, but quickly withdrew, and left ...
A Complete History of Beethoven
A Complete History of Beethoven Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770 to Johann van Beethoven and his wife, Maria Magdalena. He took his first music lessons from his father, who was tenor in the choir of the archbishop-elector of Cologne. His father was an unstable, yet ambitious man whose excessive drinking, rough temper and anxiety surprisingly did not diminish Beethoven�s love for music. He studied and performed with great success, despite becoming the breadwinner ...
The Beatles
The Beatles The Beatles to this day are one of the most famous and popular rock 'n roll groups in the world. The Beatles include George Harrison, John Lennon(1940-1980), Paul McCartney, and Richard Starkey(Ringo Starr). All of the Beatles where born and raised in Liverpool, England. John Lennon was considered the leader of the band. George Harrison was the lead guitarist. John Lennon was a song writer, one of the two lead singers, and rhythm guitarist. Paul McCartney...
Berlioz - An Appreciated Musical Genius
Berlioz - An Appreciated Musical Genius Louis Hector Berlioz was born on December 11, 1803, in La Cote-Saint-Andre, a very small town in the east of France, fairly close to Grenoble, and a little further from Lyon. His father was a very respected doctor, an openly declared atheist and also a music lover. His mother was a Catholic. He was brought up under strict Catholicism as a boy, but soon left the Church and claimed agnosticism for the rest of his life. He started musi...
Chopin - Poland's Greatest Composer
Chopin - Poland's Greatest Composer Frederic Francois Chopin, one of the greatest composers of all time, was born in Zelazowa Wola, near Warsaw on February 22, 1810. His father was a Frenchman who had lived in Poland for many years and his mother was Polish and of noble birth. He loved to play music, even as a small child. Before he even knew how to write down his ideas, he started to compose music. He took piano lessons when he was 6 years old from a Czech teacher named W...
Edwin McCain: A Modern Musician
Edwin McCain: A Modern Musician As you sit back and listen to Edwin McCain's first album,Honor Among Theives, McCain's incorporation of all kinds of music such as rock, pop, jazz, and blues will surely amaze you. This is consistant with his second album Misguided Roses,which incorporates the same standards. These two albums provide a great mix of acoustic rock with a hint of jazz and blues. McCain was successful with his first album which included the hit song "Solitude." He w...
The Peculiar Frank Zappa
The Peculiar Frank Zappa Frank Zappa was an American singer, composer, arranger, guitarist, bandleader, and all around musician who was one of the greatest iconoclastic musicians of the 20th Century. He also produced over 60 albums in 30 years. Some considered him to have demonstrated a mastery of pop idioms ranging from jazz to rock of every conceivable variety. As astute an entrepreneur as he was a musician, he was impatient with any division between popular and high art; he...
Remembering Gershwin
Remembering Gershwin Who was George Gershwin? Today, most people would answer that question by saying that he was the composer of the song that�s in the airline commercial. Although that is true, he was much more than that. Gershwin was the most celebrated and wealthiest American composer who expressed the dreams of every American citizen of the 1920's. He achieved this by mixing different styles of music like Jewish, black, jazz, classical, blues and put them into one g...
All About Guitars
All About Guitars Jimmy Hendrix, Eddie VanHalen, B. B. King, Angus Young, Brian "Head" Welch, Fletcher Dragge. What do all of these people have in common? They are all guitar heroes in they're own styles of music. However, because of the different styles of music they play, each guitarist mentioned above uses a different style of guitar. The guitars different body styles and shape help mold the perfect sound for the style you play. From sweet and warm, to loud and thrashin...
Does Heavy Metal Corrupt Youth?
Does Heavy Metal Corrupt Youth? Musical preferences are as diverse as the people who listen to it. Different types of music have different reputations. Heavy metal music is often labeled as "negative." Yet others find it a harmless form of music. The argument presented in this paper will show that heavy metal music poses no threat to the well-being of its listeners. Like other types of music, such as jazz, blues, and even rap. The distinct style of heavy metal music can ...
The Development of Modern Rap
The Development of Modern Rap Rap music as a musical form began among the youth of South Bronx, New York in the mid 1970�s. Individuals such Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash were some of the early pioneers of this art form. Through their performances at clubs and promotion of the music, rap consistently gained in popularity throughout the rest of the 1970�s. The first commercial success of the rap song �Rapper's Delight� by the Sugar Hill Gang in 1979 helped bring rap music in...
Music's Important Influence
Music's Important Influence Music has been around for thousands of years. Music appeals to everyone. When was the last time you have heard someone say, "I hate all music."? Lately though music has been criticized for corrupting teen's minds. Rap is being blamed for all the crimes and murders in cities all over America and heavy metal is being blamed for giving teens only dark images and thoughts in their minds. Although the media and public criticize rap and rock music and bla...
Jazz vs. Classical Music
Jazz vs. Classical Music Upon entering a modern record store, one is confronted with a wide variety of choices in recorded music. These choices not only include a multitude of artists, but also a wide diversity of music categories. These categories run the gamut from easy listening dance music to more complex art music. On the complex side of the scale are the categories known as Jazz and Classical music. Some of the most accomplished musicians of our time have devoted themse...
History of Jazz and Classical Music
History of Jazz and Classical Music Upon entering a modern record store, one is confronted with a wide variety of choices in recorded music. These choices not only include a multitude of artists, but also a wide diversity of music categories. These categories run the gamut from easy listening dance music to more complex art music. On the complex side of the scale are the categories known as Jazz and Classical music. Some of the most accomplished musicians of our time have dev...
A Time to Kill Movie Analysis
A Time to Kill Movie Analysis Tradition is a priceless component to any culture, as it has been shaped and developed by time itself. Tradition passes from generation to generation, exercising its influence through the actions and thoughts of a people. The tradition that has materialized from the history of the American South is no different. It remains a pillar of hope, faith, and pride for those southerners who embrace it. Tradition of the South dictates a way life with r...
Biography of BB King
Biography of BB King B.B. King was a blues singer and guitarist. His full name is Riley B. King. He was born September 16, 1925, near Indianola, Mississippi. An important aspect in King's life was, of course, when he was first exposed to the blues. 'I guess the earliest sound of the blues that I can rremember was in the fields while people would be pickin' cotton or choppin' or somethin,' " he told Living Blues . " When I sing and play now I can hear those same sounds that I u...
Analysis of Blaxploitation Films
Analysis of Blaxploitation Films In today�s culturally diverse, politically correct society, it is hard to believe that at one time racism was not only accepted as the norm, but enjoyed for its entertainment value. Individuals of African descent in North America today take the large, diverse pool of opportunities offered by the film industry for granted. Much like Canadian theatre however, there was a time when a black man in any role, be it servant or slave, was virtually un...
Carl Orff the Music Educator
Carl Orff the Music Educator While Carl Orff is a very seminal composer of the 20th century, his greatest success and influence has been in the field of Music Education. Born on July 10th in Munich, Germany in 1895, Orff refused to speak about his past almost as if he were ashamed of it. What we do know, however, is that Orff came from a Bavarian family who was very active in the German military. His father's regiment band would often play through some of the young Orff's f...
Analysis of Dead Man Walking
Analysis of Dead Man Walking People in society today have changed their feelings towards humanity and religious practises. This change is seen clearly in the movie �Dead Man Walking.� The characters go through changes in their view of religion and their feelings about human morality and humanity towards each other. The characters of Sister Helen, Matthew, and the victims parents all went through these changes during the movie for different reasons. These emotional chan...
Biography of Duke Ellington
Biography of Duke Ellington Duke Ellington, by the time of his passing, was considered amongst the world's greatest composers and musicians. The French government honored him with their highest award, the Legion of Honor, while the government of the United States bestowed upon him the highest civil honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He played for the royalty and for the common people and by the end of his fifty-year career, he had played over 20,000 performances worldwi...
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony It has been called the greatest audio entity one could ever listen to; a song which can pierce the soul of even the most dedicated music-hater: Beethoven�s Ninth Symphony. Not only has it been designated thus; also, as one of the few truly divinely inspired works, one which most men can only marvel at, as they wallow in their appropriate humility. These creations, however, are definitely not the only aspects of entities beyond the scopes of men...
Friday's Treatment of Social Issues
Friday's Treatment of Social Issues The movie Friday is a comedy, but it also depicts many important social issues. The story is set in the city of Los Angeles, California, in what could be called a high class ghetto. The main theme of the movie is about a young black man who looses his job and is influenced by his best friend to smoke marijuana. The movie also shows the relationships of his family and other members of his neighborhood. With a zany cast of characters and a hil...