Eastern Europe

Listening journal Write the following selections: Sister Hold Your Chastity Oifn Pripetshik W Moim Ogródecku Be able to describe the music appropriately and in detail. Focus on the speed, high and low, instruments, voice quality, etc.

What do we know so far about Eastern Europe? The Iron Curtain USSR Communist Nine languages Eastern Orthodox Eight countries Judaism WWI Christianity Gypsies Cold War Islam

What are some influences? Western Europe Middle East

A little history Eastern Europe has only recently gained any sort of political stability due to constant forming, breaking apart, and reforming of countries (WWI and the Cold War chief among them). Eastern Europe was cut off from the rest of the world through the Iron Curtain, which separated Eastern Germany and anything east of that as part of Communist regime. The three major religions of Eastern Europe is Christianity (particularly Eastern Orthodox), Judaism, and Islam. Given it’s location and history, why do you think these three religions would be of equal population?

Poland

Roots of Polish Music Originally traced back to 13th century France (Notre Dame) Miklaj z Radomia – first notable composer (15th century). 16th century – two musical groups from Krakow developed the traditional music scene.

Traditional Music Began to be collected in the 19th century as part of a nationalism movement. Nationalism - The strong belief that the interests of a particular nation- state are of primary importance. What are some forms of nationalism in the United States? The Communist state limited folk music to only state approved folk ensembles. This is an example of censoring. What are other examples of censoring? The sanitized version of the folk scene made it uncool to the youth of Poland and many traditions dwindled rapidly. Imagine you could only listen to one type of state-approved music. What would you do? Would you have a similar reaction?

Dance Music and Podhale Mazurka, polonaise, and krakowiak were three types of dances in Poland. Polonaise was revived in the lower class musical life and became an integral part of the music scene. Podhale Retains folk music traditions despite lack of interest in it throughout the rest of Poland. How can something survive in one part of there is no real interest in it elsewhere? Local ensembles use string instruments. Folk music is not as popular in other regions of Poland. Podhale is the hub for folk music – what are some hotspots in America for certain genres of music?

Instruments Used in Traditional Polish Music Accordion Suka Koziol

Contemporary Music New talents exploded after the fall of communism. Very open to new genres and forms of music Metal scene Poland has one of the largest and most respected metal scenes in the world. Polish black metal grew from Norwegian black metal Death metal scene – developed in 1980 but floundered. Death metal emphasizes blasphemy and diabolism. Has speed and aggression and adopts Satanic and slasher-movie terminology. Vocals are guttural growls and screaming and instruments are distorted guitar and speed percussion.

Metal Scene (continued). Thrash metal A response to America’s thrash metal scene. Includes a faster, aggressive sound, low guitar riffs and shredding guitar overtop. Usual subject matter is social issues in violent, gory language. American examples include Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeath, and Slayer.