By Giorgia Ragni
Music and art, in general, are able to trigger strong emotional reactions.
These emotions, as the word itself suggests, "move" fast, they overwhelm the listener/viewer in an unexpected, and sometimes uncontrolled way.
Universally considered as positive, an emotion which is totally passive and not elaborated because the audience, for example, might not always be ready for it, could actually result quite harmful.
Let's now make a music distinction first: precisely between Early Music (before Baroque times) and post-Baroque music (from Baroque music onward).
Early Music was meant for meditation, to help reach a high level of mental calm and peace (balance), hence wellness and closeness with the divine.
For example: Giovanni P. da Palestrina Motet for 5 voices (1584)
The five voices singing together in latin, each a different melodic line (polyphony) suggests that attention for lyrics is not sought after. The listener is in ecstatic contemplation, taken by the five harmonies in a wonderland of celestial blessfullness.
The sense of meditation together with ERGO SUM multiple counting allow emotions to emerge in a non arrogant and impulsive way. To the contrary, they are perceived as smooth and gentle. The audience is focused on the quest for pure pleasure achieved by engaging the brain in the conscious act of listening/counting.
Baroque and Post Baroque Music: Differently, Baroque and Post Baroque music is highly entertaining, characterized by virtuosism and the clear intent to impress the audience.
For example: Gioacchino Rossini Non piu' mesta (The Cenerentola)
Polyphony left its place in favour of monody. The words are fundamental and they are there to be understood. Listeners are given the libretto in order to know the story plot beforehand.
The emotions, arising from this kind of music, are very rapid and intrusive. They can be pernicious for our mental health, if not consciously digested and vented out.
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