The Smithsonian Institute has released the Classic Appalachian Blues, which was recognized as the best album in its genre in 2010. The Smithsonian site has uploaded some free samples and has a purchase link.
Of course, Appalachian music is still being written and recorded today, and the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the historical home of Appalachian Music, hosted plenty of contemporary performances, like this one:
Chuck Berry (1926-) is one of the most influential figures in all of rock-and-roll. An unofficial Internet history of rock’n’roll reminds us that although rock-and-roll is mostly associated with parties and good times, its roots include the tragedy of human slavery. Elvis Presley may always be known as the King of rock’n’roll, But it is Chuck Berry, often referred to as the Father of Rock’n’Roll who best represents this uniquely American musical tradition.
Chuck Berry’s musical catalog is impressive. One Dozen Berrys, his second album, is a good place to sample his early work.
Classic Chuck Berry performances show his signature live stage presence:
(References: Chuck Berry biography. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://www.biography.com/people/chuck-berry-9210488#synopsis; Eder, B. (n.d.). One Dozen Berrys – Chuck Berry | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic. Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://www.allmusic.com/album/one-dozen-berrys-mw0000602929; Townsend, D. (2011, January 1). Changing the World, Chapter 1: Origins. Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://www.dntownsend.com/Site/Rock/1orig.htm)
There may be no better representative of The Blues musical tradition that Robert Johnson (1911-1938). Born poor in Mississippi, his posthumous fame has had an unlikely influence on musicians as far-reaching ad The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. So much of contemporary culture can be traced back to musical styles and compositions made famous by Robert Johnson.
Miles Davis (1926-1991) is one of the most influential, accomplished, and well-respected men in the field of professional music composition and performance. Born in Illinois, he was a graduate of Julliard Music School and is credited with influencing the original development of jazz.
Contemporary music is too often composed, recorded, and performed with so much technological support that talent, musicianship, skill, discipline, and artistry are no longer present in the final product. The final musical product in today’s musical industry is art only in the most literal of senses: it is “artificial,” in its inception, its creation, its delivery, and its promotion as a piece of merchandise engineered to boost sales to willing crowds who only want to be seen as complicit in the indoctrinated behavior of buying objects that are most loudly advertised as the most popular so their “friends” will still talk to them. Sadly, the value of the art of music is rarely found in the music anymore, but rather in the ability to insult those whom you’ve beaten to the iTunes store to download the latest 5 minutes of temporarily hip computer sounds.
In 1964 in Milan, Italy, the Miles Davis Quintet display true talent and skill and dedication to the enrichment of the world via artistic achievement. Jazz blends classical music traditions with themes from the contemporary world. The resulting music imitates the rhythm of the modern world in no less authentic form than did the classical music of its time did for a more pastoral setting. This live performance is proof that while so many people claim that technology has made the world an infinitely better place, the relatively low-tech surroundings of 1964 were home to people who achieved a level of artistry, civilization, and humanity that today’s world completely and absolutely lacks–and even, tragically and incomprehensibly–looks down upon as inferior and unworthy.
The following video, from Patreon.com combines the elements of Baroque and Chamber music. A valuable and enjoyable celebration of past musical traditions, this performance proves that works of art from history are still relevant and necessary. Our lives lack the depth, warmth and humanity that make them worth living when we turn or backs on the past:
(Ref: Support Emily creating Classical Music & Teaching Videos. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from https://www.patreon.com/user.php?v=emilyplayscello.) Baroque Music is music composed during the Baroque period–from 1600 to 1750. “Baroque” comes from the Portuguese barocco, which means, “misshapen pearl,” and was originally meant as a somewhat negative description of this period’s music. Many people found the music of this period to be ornate and heavily ornamented. Thus, architecture from this period, also often criticized as being too ornate, is sometimes referred to as Baroque, as well.
(Ref: Baroque music. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baroque_music.)
Chamber Music is classical music, including Baroque Music, that is composed for a small number of musicians to perform live. Originally, many classical musicians were employed by aristocrats or hired by wealthy individuals to play music for their pleasure or for special occasions. A good analogy is to consider acoustic folk bands or electric “garage bands” who dominated the 20th century American rock-and-roll music profession. During the Baroque and Classical eras, Chamber Music, one could argue, served many of the same functions. As with rock-and-roll, changes in society and advances in music and sound technology altered the prominence and role of small, live venues.
(Ref: Chamber music. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamber_music.)
The Four Seasons may be the most famous Baroque composition. Composed by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), this piece is composed of four main parts–one each for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Bold for it’s time, Vivaldi’s “musical description” attempted to violate many of the established practices composers of his time were expected to follow. Rather than limit himself to a musical program that delivered familiar variations on accepted themes, The Four Seasons attempts to express human feelings and actions using only music. Sinfini Music presents a discussion among music theorists about whether he was successful. Regardless, this composition is timeless and continues to bring joy to our lives.
(References: Antonio Vivaldi biography: Educator, priest, composer. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://www.biography.com/people/antonio-vivaldi-9519560; Antonio Vivaldi – The Four Seasons – Clarinet & Chamber Orchestra. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3miOg_yKw50; Vivaldi: The secret behind the Four Seasons | Sinfini Music – Cutting Through Classical. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://www.sinfinimusic.com/uk/features/other-features/the-four-seasons.)