Is Absolute Music Really Instrumental?

Instrumental music has been around for centuries, but what does it really mean? Is absolute music really just music without words, or is there more to it than that?

The Nature of Absolute Music

The term “absolute music” was first coined in the 19th century by German philosopher and critic, Eduard Hanslick. He used the term to describe music that is not associated with any particular story, poem, or painting. This type of music is purely musical; it is not connected to anything else.

What is absolute music?

Absolute music is a term used to describe music that is not attached to any specific story, lyrics, or emotions. It is “absolute” in the sense that it can stand alone, without needing any extra context or explanation. This type of music is typically just instrumental, without any singing or speaking.

Some people believe that absolute music is the highest form of art because it is pure and unadulterated by human emotions. Others find it clinical and soulless. Regardless of your opinion, there are many examples of absolute music throughout history.

One of the most famous examples of absolute music is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, often referred to as the “Ode to Joy.” This work is entirely instrumental and does not lyrically express any specific emotions or tell a story. Instead, it relies on the interplay between the different instruments and sections to create its overall effect.

It can be argued that all classical music is absolute music, as it often does not reference any specific extramusical ideas. However, there are some works from this genre that do contain lyrics, such as opera and vocal pieces. In these cases, the music is still considered absolute if the meaning of the lyrics is not essential to understanding the work as a whole.

Many modern composers have also written pieces that can be considered absolute music. One example is Steve Reich’s “Different Trains,” which uses recorded speech instead of singing to create its effects. This type of composition blurs the lines between absolute and non-absolute music, as the meaning of the speech samples is essential to understanding the piece.

Overall, absolute music is a controversial topic with no clear answer. Whether you believe that this type of composition is pure and elevated or dry and soulless, there are many examples throughout history that show that absolute music can be beautiful and moving regardless.

The history of absolute music

Few genres have had as much of an impact on Western music as absolute music. This style, which emphasizes instrumental performance and composition over other elements such as lyrics or storytelling, has influenced everything from classical to pop. But what exactly is absolute music? And where did it come from?

Despite its name, absolute music is not a completely separate genre from other types of music. Rather, it refers to a specific approach to composition and performance. Instrumental music has always been a part of the Western tradition, dating back to at least the Renaissance. However, the idea of absolute music as a distinct genre only began to emerge in the 18th century.

One of the earliest proponents of absolute music was the German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. In his works, Bach often used complex mathematical structures to create elaborate fugues and other pieces that were designed to be purely musical experiences. Other composers of the time, such as Georg Friedrich Händel and Antonio Vivaldi, also wrote instrumental works that could be considered absolute music.

The term “absolute music” was first coined by German philosopher Immanuel Kant in his 1787 work Critique of Judgment. Kant used the term to describe a type of art that was defined solely by its form and structure, without any reference to outside concepts such as nature or morality. This concept was further developed in the 19th century by another German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, who argued that all art should aspire to be absolute music.

The 20th century saw a renewed interest in absolute music, particularly in the form of avant-garde classical works. Composers such as Arnold Schoenberg and John Cage pushed the boundaries of what could be considered purely musical experience, creating atonal and experimental pieces that challenged traditional ideas about harmony and rhythm. In recent years, there has also been a growing appreciation for electronic and computer-generated forms of absolute music, such as minimalism and ambient soundscapes.

The Characteristics of Absolute Music

One of the most noticeable things about absolute music is that the composer doesn’t use any words. This type of music is also called instrumental music. You might wonder why the composer would choose not to use words. There are a few reasons for this.

The form of absolute music

Form in music is the structure of a musical composition or performance. Absolute music, as contrasted with program music, is intended by the composer to be heard as formal events with distinct sections, and usually without any representations of extra-musical ideas or events. The opposite of program music, it is usually purely instrumental, without any reference to stories or poems. Sometimes it is called art music or serious music.

The structure of absolute music

As the name suggests, absolute music is characterized by its lack of reliance on external factors such as words or pictures. This type of music is created purely for the sake of the sound itself, and as such, it is often seen as being more “pure” than other types of music.

Although it can be enjoyed simply for its own sake, absolute music is usually structured in a very specific way. One of the most important elements of this structure is the melody, which is often designed to be extremely catchy and memorable. The harmony (the relationship between different notes) is also carefully considered, and composers will often use counterpoint (the simultaneous use of two or more melodies) to create interest and variety.

The rhythm of absolute music is usually extremely regular, and this can give it a feeling of being quite “simple” or “staid”. However, some composers have used irregular rhythms to create a sense of tension or drama, and this can be an effective way of adding interest to absolute music.

Overall, then, absolute music tends to be highly structured and carefully planned. This does not mean that it is always boring or predictable – indeed, some of the greatest works in the genre are both moving and unexpected – but it does mean that absolute music tends to be very different from other types of music.

The harmony of absolute music

As the name suggests, absolute music is music that is not tied to any particular story or idea, and is instead focused on the purely musical elements of harmony, melody, and rhythm. This type of music is usually performed by an instrumental group or soloist, without any singing or other vocals.

One of the defining characteristics of absolute music is its harmony. This type of music often uses complex harmonies and chord progressions, which can create a feeling of tension and release. Absolute music often has a formal structure, such as in sonata form, which can give listeners a sense of satisfaction as they hear the work unfold.

Another important element of absolute music is melody. These pieces often have catchy, memorable melodies that are easy to sing along to. The melodies in absolute music are often longer and more complex than those in popular music, and they may be repeated several times throughout the piece.

Finally, rhythm is also an important element of absolute music. These pieces often have intricate rhythms that add to their complexity and interest. Absolute music often has a pulse or beat that helps listeners keep track of the piece as it progresses.

The Emotional Effects of Absolute Music

Though it is commonly believed that absolute music has no extramusical reference and no emotional effects, I believe that this is not the case. Absolute music, as I see it, can most definitely have emotional effects. In fact, some of my favorite pieces of absolute music are some of the most emotionally moving pieces of music I have ever heard.

The effects of absolute music on the emotions

Although absolute music is typically thought of as music without words, it can actually have a profound emotional effect on listeners. This type of music is often used to evoke certain emotions or to create a particular mood, and it can be just as powerful as music with lyrics.

Some research has shown that absolute music can have a positive effect on emotions, helping to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Other studies have shown that this type of music can improve focus and concentration, and even boost morale and self-esteem. In general, absolute music seems to have a calming, relaxing effect on listeners, which can be beneficial in many different situations.

So, if you’re looking for music to help you relax or get in the right frame of mind for work or study, give absolute music a try! You might be surprised by how Affective it can be.

The effects of absolute music on the intellect

While the effects of absolute music on the intellect have been widely debated, there is no denying that this type of music can have a profound effect on the emotions. For many people, absolute music is the perfect way to relax and escape from the stresses of daily life. This type of music can also be used to promote positive moods and states of mind.

The Significance of Absolute Music

The place of absolute music in the history of music

In the history of music, absolute music is a term used to describe music that is not intended to describe or represent anything outside of itself. It is often contrasted with program music, which is music that is written to tell a story or paint a picture.

Absolute music was first used as a term by German critic Johann Friedrich Riedel in 1795, but it did not gain widespread use until the early 19th century. The rise of program music in the Romantic era led to a renewed interest in absolute music, and it was championed by such composers as Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms.

While absolute music has never been as popular as program music, it has continued to be an important part of the classical repertoire. Many composers have written works that could be classified as absolute music, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, and Claude Debussy.

The influence of absolute music on other genres of music

Since the late eighteenth century, Western art music has been increasingly split into two types: absolute music and program music. Absolute music is abstract; it is designed to be listened to for its own sake and is not intended to convey any extra-musical meaning. Program music, on the other hand, does seek to evoke an extra-musical mood or story; examples include Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique (1830), which tells the tale of an artist who commits suicide after being jilted by his lover, and Wagner’s Ring Cycle (1850-74), which draws on Norse mythology.

Despite its name, absolute music is not necessarily ‘absolute’ in the sense of being non-representational; some composers, such as Beethoven and Chopin, did attach titles to their works which gave clues as to their emotional content (e.g. Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata or Chopin’s ‘Funeral March’). However, these titles were intended only as starting points for the listener’s imagination; they were not meant to be taken literally.

The term ‘absolute music’ was first coined by German critic Ludwig Rellstab in 1834, in reference to a new breed of instrumental work that was beginning to emerge in the early nineteenth century. These works were characterized by their use of sonata form – a three-part structure consisting of an exposition (in which the main thematic materials are presented), a development (in which these materials are manipulated and developed) and a recapitulation (in which the themes are brought back in their original form). The new breed of absolute composer – chief among them Beethoven – was interested in pushing the boundaries of this established form, expanding its possibilities and exploiting its potential for expressive power.

The influence of absolute music can be felt in all genres of classical music that followed, from Schumann and Brahms in the nineteenth century to Debussy and Bartók in the early twentieth. Even today, composers such as John Adams continue to explore the potential of instrumental sound without recourse to words or extra-musical narratives.