VANNA

What is music? By definition, it is a form of art, on a par with poetry and expressive arts, which use special combinations of sounds. When music appeared is anyone’s guess. Most probably, it originated a very long time ago. Yet it was not until the middle of the third millennium BC that it became a separate form or art. Let us go back into the past. If you recall great composers, the first names that come to mind are Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Strauss, Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and countless other founding fathers of classical music. This list could be continued indefinitely. Yet everybody must know these people. It is thanks to them that we can now listen to music, for it was them who proved to everybody that society needed music. While completely deaf, Beethoven continued to compose music. His greatest work, Moonlight Sonata, has been probably heard and enjoyed by every living person. Also noteworthy is the fact that many composers, much like other men of the arts, were not recognized during their lifetime, and their works became famous years or decades after their passing. In olden days there had been no musical centers or players. Everybody would listen to live music only. Now let us get back to our age. Now the situation is completely different. We can listen to music for free and for as long as we wish. There is a large number of composers and performers. Such genres as rock, metal, pop, hip hop, and rap are popular nowadays. Music has achieved total democracy, or freedom of choice. Nowadays, one can choose not to buy CDs, as MP3 music files are available for download online from many websites, and free of charge to boot. Going to concerts is no longer necessary if you want to hear your favorite performer. It is now a matter of personal choice. To conclude this article, I would like to point out that music has entered our life to such a degree that it would become impossible without music. It surrounds us everywhere, it is accessible to everyone. One only has to make a choice. The way music has developed is unprecedented. It has been a long process during which it has proven its significance.