Week 3 Blog

The age of industrialization transformed society into a mass production rather than agriculture, signifying the start of mass communication and power. This period was when one of the most prominent machines jumpstarting industrialization was created – the movable type and printing press (Vesna). These two machines were the starting point of how music was produced as well. With the printing press, amateur musicians were able to use this new market to earn more income, even jumping up to the middle class (Lumenlearning “Music 101”).


Fig 1. Recreated Gutenberg press at the International Printing Museum, Carson, California

Ever since I was four years old, I started learning piano, and was exposed to the classical piano music we all know and love. I was introduced to various composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Haydn throughout my piano playing career. As I got older, I also had to learn about music theory and how different time periods and events happening in society changes the type of music created (Farrant “The 6 Different Eras Of Classical Music: A Complete Guide”). For example, industrialization helped increase individual’s income, in which they were able to enjoy more leisure time listening to music (Irish Independent “Classical: How the Industrial Revolution helped shape our music”). This affected the music industry as more printing of music being produced and spread was working in conjunction with increased individuals listening to music.



Fig 2. Frédéric Chopin playing his works before the aristocratic Polish family Radziwiłłs in 1829.

Walter Benjamin argues industrialization can alter the authenticity of art, contributing in the recontextualization of the original art (Cikaj “5 Ideas in Walter Benjamin’s “Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”). I believe this is correct as the mass production of sheet music allows for increased interpretations of how the music should be played through their own sense of musical expression. However, this could also foster new opportunities for music to be healing for the mind.



Fig 3. Audience gets emotional and teary


Works Cited

“5 Ideas in Walter Benjamin’s ‘Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.’” TheCollector, 20 Feb. 2024, www.thecollector.com/walter-benjamin-art-in-the-age-of-mechanical-reproduction/. 

“The 6 Different Eras of Classical Music: A Complete Guide.” Hello Music Theory | Learn To Read Music, 13 Apr. 2024, hellomusictheory.com/learn/classical-music-eras/. 

“Classical: How the Industrial Revolution Helped Shape Our Music.” Irish Independent, Irish Independent, 12 July 2015, www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/classical-how-the-industrial-revolution-helped-shape-our-music/31357937.html. 

“Music 101.” The Printing Press | Music 101, courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-musicapp-medieval-modern/chapter/the-printing-press-e/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024. 

Vesna, Victoria. “Lectures Part 1”

Image Citations

“Music 101.” The Printing Press | Music 101, courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-musicapp-medieval-modern/chapter/the-printing-press-e/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024. 

PianoLIT. “The Romantic Period in a Nutshell.” PianoLIT, 18 Apr. 2024, pianolit.com/blog/the-romantic-period-in-a-nutshell. 

“Crying Female Fan at Tarrus Riley Concert Thrills Kenyans – Video.” Nairobi News, 22 Oct. 2018, nairobinews.nation.africa/crying-female-fan-at-tarrus-riley-concert-thrills-kenyans-video/. 


Comments

  1. KylieAndonianDESMA9April 21, 2024 at 2:23 PM

    Hello, Gillian! I really appreciated how you connected the class material on mass production and movable type to your past experiences in piano classes and in learning about music theory. I support your argument that mass production, however, has caused the people of society to challenge the authenticity of those materials that are being reproduced. How would you show/tell these people that mass reproduction is also simultaneously encouraging the dispersion of knowledge? I believe that people are gaining more exposure to both geographically and culturally diverse materials, which helps to further educate individuals and advance society.

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