Katz writes, "Such music [the European Classical tradition] was valued in America as a civilizing influence and an agent of moral uplift." Why do you think this music was seen to have such a powerful moralizing influence? Do you think that Americans still believe this? Give examples to support your position.
This is a classic example of people resisting change. Throughout history, Americans and societies in general, tend to fear the unknown. The people saw the new age music and different and scary, therefore they clung to classical music, calling it "an agent of moral uplift". Often it is the older generation that resists change to musical shifts in culture. For example, my dad thinks rap music is garbage, and would rather listen to the bands his time: Pink Floyd, The Eagles, etc. I can't really blame him because new music is foreign and different than what he is used to. The same was probably true in the early 1900s. The older generation preferred music that they were familiar with and so they tended to moralize it. Americans may not still cling to classical European music like they once did, but we still cling to the music of our pasts.
ReplyDeleteThe classical "good music" referred to in the book had moralizing influence because it was seen as the opposite of the new morally questionable music of the time. Ragtime and Jazz music was the music of the younger, more rebellious generation while classical music was listened to by sophisticated people with more refined music taste. I don't think that classical music is still looked so highly upon like it was then, but I do think that older people do tend to see the music of the younger generation as morally questionable. Particularly I think about rap and how when my parents listen to it they just get this look on their faces like, "how could anyone enjoy such vulgar music?" I think this will always be the case where the older generations favor their music and look down upon the music of the younger generations.
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ReplyDeleteI think that European Classical tradition was seen to have such a powerful moralizing influence because it showed the roots of the American culture. We were founded by the Europeans and when America was first civilizing it would uplifting to hear the music that was from their native country, or mother country. Today however I do not think that Americans still believe this. I can't think of any one person that I know who enjoys any time of Classical Music. It seems that today's view on European Classical Music is that it's kind of boring. I mean I personally do not enjoy classical music, it just puts me to sleep. I think it was moralizing in earlier time periods of America because the music was more recent then.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of music puts out a different kind of tone that no other genre of music can really mimic too closely. To many, it gives a very sophisticated, intelligent, and complex tone making the actual music deeper. The dynamics of the music and all that happens within one piece give it this sophistication. People could listen to this music and know that it was the sound of some of the most brilliant people that have stood the test of time, it makes the listener feel privileged and lifts them up. I do believe Americans still think that older Classical music is such a beautiful and uplifting thing. People often look up to classical music personally and feel it gives another a better disposition towards good and scientists have done studies showing the impact that classical music has on mood and development have shown very positive results. Even so, these tests do not prove that listening to classical music makes a person better morally and, in the end, it all depends on the views of the listener.
ReplyDeleteMusic was seen to have such a powerful moralizing influence because it gave people common interests and things to talk about. Through the help of the phonograph, people who might of had nothing in common, from different backgrounds, different income levels, and different ages, were able to talk about something that they had in common. Music connected people and gave them something to do and talk about. This common ground civilized people. I think European classical music in particular was unifying because it was mostly musical rather than dealing with lyrics. It was also considered to be more sophisticated then the "questionable" newer music of the time. Lyrics are often things that separate peoples musical tastes, so the fact that it was instrumental assisted in this. Today, however, I don't believe people think European classical tradition is civilizing and an agent of moral uplift. This is simply because most people don't listen to this type of music. Personally, I do not listen to this music and I know most people my age do not.
ReplyDeleteUnlike in Europe, awareness and knowledge of classical music during this time was not nearly as common in the United States. With the spread of this music in America, it was understood that those who were more educated in classical music were more educated overall. This preconception made them known to be generally more civilized, because those of the higher classes were those who generally listened to this type of music. Also, it was much more morally just than other popular music such as certain types of jazz. I think this is still believed to an extent today; classical music is much more rare now, and we usually look up to those educated in the genre as being more culturally educated. However, I don't think Americans really care as much today; we care less about being known as more civilized and more about listening to the music we enjoy listening to.
ReplyDeleteThis music back then was taken as moralizing because it was their own kind of pop music. Society rallied around music and the ways that it was being made portable and more accessible. The type of music is refined and it was to the people at the time what classic rock is to our generation, in a sense. I think now, Americans have a different appreciation for Classical music because we have evolved music into such a broad landscape that everyone has different likes and opinions about certain genres. Most of the classical appreciation comes from the older generation and those who study or play the older "civilizing" music.
ReplyDeletePeople saw this music a moralizing influence because of how it maintained the resemblance of old-fashioned European tradition. As tradition is "known," there was no reason to change, especially into the new music that was coming out and being recorded in the early twentieth century. I do not think Americans still believe European classical music to be "morally uplifting," but do think that it resembles a higher standard of living than today's music; namely rap, pop, and hard rock music.
ReplyDeleteClassical music is seen as a moral uplift because of its complicated manner. This music incorporated great crescendos and difficult solos for instruments which required great musical talent. Also, to truly grasp all of the musical difficulties, one would have to understand music. Music was not well spread until the phonograph, so very few were educated in music and then when this became widespread, people began to become more and more knowledgeable. Also, the art of conducting became more prevalent as this music became more well known. People essentially saw classical music as something of prestige, something that if understood correctly was beautiful and complicated. I believe this ideal is still ingrained in Americans today because people usually associate it with intelligence. Listening to classical music while studying is shown to improve test scores and it is an event to attend classical music performances. There will always be this prestige associated with it and with that the idea that it is moralizing.
ReplyDeleteIt is believed that all members of a society should have equal access to the highest forms of culture, and European classical music represented this high culture. Its introduction, and the use of the phonograph, allowed people from all classes to listen to the music, uniting all cultures. Classical music was seen as "good music," and it was finally reaching American ears. I think this type of music is still seen as "high culture" music, and it is still seen as having a powerful moralizing influence. This is why parents stick their kids in piano and violin lessons at such young ages; they want them to experience this good music and to become a well-rounded person with high morals and cultural status.
ReplyDeleteClassical music was seen to have such a powerful moralizing influence because it was viewed as "good music." This type of music was usually exclusively available to the upper class before the invention of the phonograph. However, with the phonograph came the widespread distribution of this music to all classes. Suddenly everyone could listen to the music that was once only available to the wealthiest of people. These people were seen as those with the highest morals and being the most civilized, therefore the lower classes strove to be like them by listening to their music. I do not believe that Americans still believe in this idea. Music has been such a widespread medium for so long that no one type is better than the other, since they are all so easily accessible.
ReplyDeleteI think this music was seen to have such a powerful moralizing influence because it was at a time when all sorts of dangers and eminent wars were rampant. It also reminded Americans of their roots in Europe and was a sign of sophistication to have music. This may have caused people to look at their actions closer or it could have had religious influence on Americans.Many classical songs were religiously based so it could have instilled a bit of spiritual inspiration to listen to them. I don't think most Americans still believe this because we have so many different styles of music and genres now that many have moved away from listening to the European classics on a daily basis. Now if someone wants to find moral uplift they can find it in any of the many songs they find uplifting.
ReplyDeleteMusic was seen to have such a powerful moralizing influence because listening to and enjoying classical music was something that made you more sophisticated and began as something only the wealthiest of people could do. There was an example in the reading that told the story of a woman whose was going to be repossessed. She begged them not to take it away because she believed the ability to listen to music was an extremely important part of her children's development.
ReplyDeleteI think this music was seen as having such a powerful moralizing influence because of its classification as "classic." If you listen to classical music, then you are probably viewed as being classy. Also, I think the lack of lyrics made people appreciate the music just for its sound, instead of the lyrics. So if you could talk about the musical components of a piece, it made you sound well rounded and educated. I think that Americans still believe this to some degree. Growing up, the third, fourth, and fifth graders took a field trip every year to hear the North Carolina Symphony. They wanted us to hear music other than Hannah Montana or Hillary Duff. In kind of the opposite sense, some people view rap music as demoralizing, so I think those same people would be for listening to classical music again.
ReplyDeleteI think this music was seen to have a powerful moralizing influence because it was seen as elegant and of the elite social class. Listening to this music was thought of as a step to becoming a better person because it would make you more like the wealthy upper class. The young people and lower classes had access to the cheap music of ragtime and jazz that one would hear on the streets, so in contrast the classical music was a symbol of success, high standards, and maturity. In addition, the upper class was more likely to be educated, so to be able to understand and enjoy this music was thought of as improving or elevating the mind. I do think that such music is still viewed as an agent of moral uplift in comparison to all the many different genres of music that have come about in modern society. For example, rap music can sometimes be looked down upon due to the nature of its lyrics that some people view as obscene or vulgar. In school, classical music like Mozart was often played in some of my classes while we were working to help us concentrate when not everyone enjoys that kind of music. I can't imagine my uptight art teacher ever coming in and playing some Kanye as we paint because his themes are considered inappropriate and harmful to the mind despite being about real situations.
ReplyDeleteMany Americans percieved that only Europe could produce "good music". Having a love of "good music" was believed to steer the youth of America clear of its presumed moral and aesthetic opposite such as ragtime or jazz. This "good music" was supposed to improve the cultrual standing of the national as a whole. I don't think that Americans still feel this way. Today, there are so many genres of music and ways to get this music. Everyone has their own taste. Not many people voluntarily listen to classical music these days. Most Americans don't like it. I know the only time that i want to listen to classical music is when I am forced to like for a school assignment.
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ReplyDeleteThis music had a powerful moralizing influence because it was an expression of high society and ideas and feelings that could be transported and exposed to any American at any time. It was a widespread connection made through art, and the more connected people could be, the more aware of one another and therefore civilized and/or moralized they would become. It was also an exposure to elitist culture, which was seen as classy and superior and deserving of being spread throughout the general population. I think Americans still do believe this, and that is part of the reason that music has continued to remain popular and still influences so many aspects of day to day life.
DeleteI think that the reason Americans saw European Classical Music as such a moral uplift was because of the pop of Rock n' Roll that began in America. Rock was seen as music of the devil and a terrible thing by the older generations at the time so, in turn, they believed that the music was Europe would enlighten the youth and bring them away from such devilish music. I don't think its necessarily seen that way anymore. I do think adults still criticize the music that is popular with "kids these days" and sometimes they do have a point. However, I don't think we still believe European Classical Music is the sought out answer to that problem as before.
ReplyDeleteI believe this music had such a powerful moralizing influence because the music that came from these European countries was seen as, in the words of Katz, "first-class music" and "the best music". This music to America was a different, more formal type of music as opposed to the popular music in America. I don't think that Americans still believe this because we have developed a strong sense of patriotism and pride from music that has come out of America. Most musical artists around the world always come to America to tour and to release their music in America because we have created the world's most powerful country in terms of music.
ReplyDeleteOver history, the only thing that maintains consistent in American culture, whether wavering in style and tone, is the moralization of music. No matter on the radio or in the home, music everywhere has some sort of hope portrayed that back then meant everything in European Classical tradition, and showed rooting strings within civilization's hearts. Today on the radio, you don't hear so much of moral standpoints within popular music, however they still exist and are still prevalent whether in extremely popular music or not.
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ReplyDeleteEuropean classical music was seen to have such a powerful moralizing influence because it was established. Europeans had concert halls, symphonies, music schools, you name it. They were incredibly prominent and practiced in the music world. America, on the other hand, was just beginning to make its impact with music. But it didn’t have the official stance or the worldly scope of the Europeans. I don’t think that Americans still believe this. I think our music is well established now, and I think we’re confident and behind what our nation is producing.
ReplyDeleteI think this music was seen as a moralizing influence because classical music is very prominent in religion and religious ceremonies. Both of which combined with the music have the ability to positively impact people's emotions. Through uplifting emotions people often see the world in a different light, which can translate to a better and healthier morality.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure if Americans still believe this, given the fact that many are not familiar with "European Classical tradition" music. Nowadays, people listen to more modern music and musicians. Though the music can still uplift them morally, and change their perspective on a subject, or just brighten their day, I wouldn't consider it "a powerful moralizing influence". Jamming out to the radio in your car or going to a Drake concert fall short as an agent of moral uplift.
European classical music was viewed as "good music." Perhaps it was due to the strong religious wave sweeping across Europe. This "good music" was believed to encourage healthy morals, keep young people out of trouble, and encourage happy relationships. I think that the music was seen to have this effect because Europe is known for its high class societal stereotypes. This music represents something a lot of Americans want to be. I do not think we still think this today, I think we have grown out of our idolization of Europe, but our influence is gathered from wanting to be ourselves, not necessarily striving to be high class and posh.
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