Introduction to Canons and Music Flashcards
What is a canon?
A canon is a shared representation of what is ‘best’ or ‘greatest’ in a given field
Where are the origins of a canon?
Greek/Latin origins
What did Greeks thing the term ‘canon’ defined originally?
Brings together rules, measurement and sense of law
What is canon law?
Rules governing early Catholic church
What is canonoisation?
The practice of venerating ‘saints’ to confer (give honour/reward/grant) public recognition on exceptionally holy individuals
Deciding whether individuals should become ‘saints’ or not. Looked at how holy they were and what things they’ve done.
The practice of canonisation led to Saint Francis being granted sainthood - he did exceptionally holy things.
How does canonisation relate to arts?
We create canons in artistic world.
Decide which artists or works are worthy of canonisation / worthy of being recognised as exceptional examples within their field
What did Giorgio Vasari contribute to canonisation?
Wrote a book - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects
Set up a familiar process of establishing who or what the ‘greats’ are in a cultural field
Who is at the centre of the literary canon?
Shakespeare - the ultimate canonical figure who defines what great writing is
What did Weber (2003) argue about canons in classical music?
Up until the 19th century, people were only interested in music which was being produced at that time (similar to popular music today)
When did the cult of Beethoven emerge?
1820s
Just after his death
People began to recognise him as this great composer
What are canonical repertoires and when did they emerge? (old music cropping up in performances)
1850s
Emergence of old classic music cropping up in concert programmes and performances
Concerts began to recognise composers who were long-dead. More classic stuff and less contemporary stuff in concert programmes.
Old composers were canonised (mid-19th century).
