Music and Religion in the Colonies

the new world

- the collective name given to the landmasses of the Americans by early European explorers, settlers, and mapmakers

- term originated in the early 16th century, shortly after Christopher Columbus's voyages, to distinguish the newly encountered continents from the regions already known to Europeans

- when Europeans first discovered the Americas and Australia

- called the "new world" because Europeans did not know there were other lands that existed outside of them and Asia

- imposed their eurocentric view: a worldview centered on Europeans

- England, Spain, and France were very dominant in establishing the Americas: brought the practices of Church -> Catholicism and Protestantism, Spain came for the resources (commerce), Commerce and religion played a significant role in their coming to the U.S.

the old world

- the collective name given to the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa, which were known to Europeans before the voyages of Christopher Columbus

- they had a eurocentric view on the world

catholic music and musical values in spanish north america

- was shaped by the goal of evangelization and establishing the dominance of the church

- embraced the use of elaborate, beautiful music, art, and architecture to inspire, awe, and reverence in the congregation and the convey the glory of God

- evangelization

- maintaining identity

- complexity

- musical textures

evangelization

- to impress the indigenous population with the grandeur and spiritual power of the new religion, making conversion more appealing and impactful than relying solely on doctrine

maintaining identity

- the elaborate rituals and music provided a link to their home country and a sense of cultural and religious continuity for the Spanish colonists

complexity of catholic music in north america

- featured trained singers, instrumental accompaniments (like organs, violins, and brass), and complex harmonies

musical textures of catholic music in north america

- predominantly polyphonic

- included highly structured forms like masses, motets, and hymns

- performed by specialized choirs

- contrasted sharply with the simpler, monophonic chanting used in some earlier periods or the strictly homophonic style