Famous Folk Music Composers

A list of some of the most famous and influential folk music composers of all time.

The Origins of Folk Music

Folk music is a genre of music that has been around for centuries. It is a type of music that is passed down from generation to generation and is usually about the daily life of the people. Folk music is usually sung in the native language of the people.

The British Isles

Folk music of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland has been traced back to the medieval period. Although many of the songs may be very old, there is often uncertainty about the authorship, meaning and dates of composition. In some cases it is possible to identify poetry or lyrics that have been reused or adapted over the years. The singer Mary Blathwayt collected songs from all over Britain during the 17th century, many of which were found in her commonplace book when it was published in 1911 as Early British Ballads.

The term “folk music” can be used to refer to music that has been composed by professional songwriters and musicians, as well as music that has been passed down orally from one generation to the next. The folk music of Britain and Ireland often includes elements of both types.

Some popular British and Irish folk songs include: “The Coventry Carol”, “Greensleeves”, “Danny Boy”, “The Wild Rover” and “Whiskey in the Jar”.

The United States

Folk music of the United States is varied and complicated. It has been shaped both by itsNative American and by its immigrant cultures. The first American folk music was shaped largely by the English, Scottish, and Irish immigrants who arrived in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries. African Americans also played an important role in the development of American folk music, shaping it through their work songs, spirituals, and blues.

The United States is also home to a number of indigenous folk traditions, including those of the Native Americans, who have been living in North America for millennia. These folk traditions have been deeply influential in shaping the sound of American folk music.

One of the earliest forms of American folk music was Anglo-American balladry, which began to develop in the 18th century. This form of folk music was characterized by its simple melodies and narratives about love, loss, and murder. Many of these ballads were brought over from England, Scotland, and Ireland by immigrants. The most famous of these ballads is probably “Barbara Allen,” which tells the story of a young woman who dies of a broken heart after her lover marries another woman.

African American work songs were another important early form of American folk music. These songs were typically sung while performing manual labor tasks such as chopping wood or splitting logs. They often featured call-and-response lyrics that allowed workers to keep rhythm while they worked. One famous example of an African American work song is “John Henry,” which tells the story of a steel-driving man who dies while working on a railroadsubcontract for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company.

Native American folklore is another important source of American folk music. This folklore includes a wide variety of traditions, including love songs, war chants, lullabies, and stories about animals and nature. Native American folk music has been influenced by both European and African musical traditions. One famous example of a Native American folk song is “The Erie Canal,” which was first recorded by Irish singer Pete Seeger in 1940.

The Development of Folk Music

Folk music has always been a part of our society. It’s a type of music that is passed down from generation to generation. Folk music is often about the stories of the people and their culture. It’s a way for people to connect with their heritage. Folk music has evolved over the years, and there have been many famous folk music composers.

The 18th Century

The 18th century was an era of transition in folk music. With the decline of the Troubadours and Trouvères, and the rise of professional songwriters, folk music began to take on a new form. The folk ballad tradition continued to thrive, and new ballads were created on a wide variety of topics.Social dances became increasingly popular, and dance tunes began to be codified into specific dance forms such as the minuet, reel, jig, and waltz. Folk music also began to be used as source material by classical composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Joseph Haydn.

The 19th Century

The 19th century saw the rise of many important folk music composers. One of the most important was Antonín Dvořák, a Czech composer who wrote some of the most renowned folk-inspired music of the era. Other important composers included Bela Bartok, a Hungarian composer who did much to preserve and promote Hungarian folk music, and John Lomax, an American who helped collect and popularize folk songs from the United States.

Folk Music in the 20th Century

Folk music enjoyed a resurgence in the early 20th century, with composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst taking an interest in the genre. Vaughan Williams in particular was inspired by the music he heard while working on the Norfolk Revival, an attempt to revive traditional English folk music. This paragraph will discuss Vaughan Williams’ work in relation to folk music.

The First Half of the Century

The first half of the twentieth century was a time of great change in the United States. This was a time of industrialization and urbanization, when many people were leaving the countryside and moving to the cities in search of work. At the same time, there was a growing interest in the traditional music of rural America. This music was often called “folk” music, and it was different from the popular music of the day in that it was passed down from generation to generation, rather than being written by professional composers.

One of the most important figures in early folk music was composer Aaron Copland. Copland traveled around the United States collecting folk songs, which he then arranged for orchestra. His best-known work is “Appalachian Spring,” which is based on a set of Shaker tunes.

Other important folk composers of the first half of the twentieth century include John Jacob Niles and Vernon Dalhart. Niles was known for his “ballads,” which were folk songs that he had collected from various parts of the country. Dalhart was a singer who popularized many folk songs, including “The House of the Rising Sun” and “The Wabash Cannonball.”

The Second Half of the Century

The second half of the century saw a tremendous upsurge in the popularity of folk music. This was due in part to the aftershocks of the First World War, which left Europe reeling, and in part to the rise of socialism and communism, which gave folk music a political edge. Folk music also benefited from the rise of recording technology, which made it possible for more people to hear it.

The most famous folk musician of the second half of the century was undoubtedly Bob Dylan. Dylan’s songs, which blended traditional folk styles with rock and roll, spoke to a generation of young people who were disillusioned with the status quo. Dylan’s success helped to bring other folk musicians, such as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger, to prominence.

The 1960s also saw the rise of world music, as musicians from countries as diverse as Brazil, India, and Jamaica began to gain international audiences. In the latter part of the century, folk music continued to evolve, as artists such as Billy Bragg and Natalie Merchant incorporated elements of punk rock and hip hop into their work.

Contemporary Folk Music

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s no surprise that some of the most famous composers in the world are folk musicians. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the most famous folk music composers of our time.

The 21st Century

The 21st century has seen a revival of interest in traditional and folk music, with performers such as Alasdair Roberts, Olivia Chaney, Tune-Yards, Jim Moray, Mellow Candle, The Strawbs and Laura Marling achieving mainstream success. In the early 2000s a renewed interest in political folk music was sparked by events such as the September 11th attacks and the Iraq War. This lead to increased popularity for artists such as Woody Guthrie, Phil Ochs and Joan Baez.

The Future of Folk Music

As the world becomes more and more digitized, it’s important to remember the roots music comes from. Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s frequently passed down through generations orally. In a time where instant gratification is key and digital downloads are the norm, it’s easy to forget about folk music’s charming simplicity.

While some may believe that folk music is a dying genre, there are many contemporary artists keeping the tradition alive. These modern troubadours are creating new works of art while also paying homage to the musicians who came before them. Here are a few examples of contemporary folk musicians who are keeping the genre alive and well:

1. Andrew Bird
2. Iron & Wine
3. The Decemberists
4. Fleet Foxes
5. Bon Iver