As Cantata Academy Chorale presents its world music concert, Travel the Globe, on March 18, there are some ideas to keep in mind for both the singers and listeners. Music is a universal art that appears in all cultures, and each nation or ethnic group develops its own music and preserves it’s own musical traditions. In much of the world, these traditions are oral and are transferred from one person to another, and from one generation to the next simply by word of mouth. Some cultures regard their music as sacrosanct and try to keep the music of their past more or less intact. Others regard music as part of the “living” present and therefore it is in a constant state of change.
Music reflects the society that creates it, and each society creates the music that it wants. Each culture possesses its own musical language that reflects its own traditions, concerns, and activities. To understand another musical heritage is to understand the culture’s systems and the role music plays in it. Simply put, culture forms the music and music represents the culture.
On March 18, Cantata will be presenting music from many world cultures. Originally, much of this music was probably not written down, but someone took the time to notate it so that Western singers like us could perform it for you. Much of it is challenging to our westernized ears and we have had to conquer new languages and tonal color in order to present it as authentically as possible for you. Hope you enjoy listening as much as we do performing!
