The History Of Music - The Assyrians
- Date: 2007-05-28 - Word Count: 557
Share This!
In the sculptures found in what are thought to be the ruins of Nineveh are many representations of musicians and musical instruments. The latter appear to have been of very finished workmanship, and to have reached that stage of development where beauty and essential fitness meet on an equal footing, in fact, within their limits, the instruments of the Assyrians may be said to be artistically perfect.
Most of the sculpture work discovered at Nineveh is now in the British Museum, and reproductions of it are to be found in almost every book dealing with the history of music. Judging from the nature of the instruments represented, the music of the Assyrians must have been of a light yet somewhat subdued order, with no very pronounced effects of instrumental "colour," no blaring of large wind instruments or banging of drums. They also appear to have arrived at some knowledge of a proper combination of voices and instruments.
An interesting illustration, not only of the nature of the Assyrian musical instruments, but also of the manner in which these instruments were employed in combination with voices, is afforded by a sculptural relief in the British Museum, representing a procession of musicians marching to meet a conqueror returning from battle. In front marches a bearded man playing upon a harp apparently about four feet high and fitted with ten strings. From the fact of his walking alone in front of his fellow musicians, this man was evidently the chief of the musicians. Behind him walk two men, one playing an instrument of the dulcimer kind, and the other a double flute.
The dulcimer player walks with his instrument resting against his breast in a horizontal position, possibly it was secured by a cord or strap passed round the player's neck. The flute-player's instrument is small, allowing him to have been a tall man; each pipe would be about a foot long. Behind the flute and dulcimer-players come two more harpers, with instruments similar to that carried by the leader.
Then follow another couple, a harper and a flute-player, followed, in turn, by two other harpers, these last being followed by a harper and a drummer, the drum a very small one and apparently played with the finger-tips. This constitutes the orchestra. The rear of the procession is brought up by six adult and nine juvenile singers, the whole forming a band and chorus of twenty-six instrumentalists and singers divided as follows :-
2 Double flutes.
1 Small drum.
1 Dulcimer.
6 Singing men or women.
7 Harps.
9 Singing boys.
There is undoubtedly a strong sense of proportion and general fitness exhibited in this combination, so much so, that we can hardly imagine the disposition of this body of musicians to have been purely a matter of chance. The sharper sounding instruments, the flutes and the dulcimer, are carefully subordinated, and considering the nature of the other instruments, the drum may be said to be sufficiently large and powerful for the purpose it had to serve.
The backbone of the band is in the harps, they represent the violins of the modern orchestra. The proportion of singers to instrumentalists, again, although somewhat unequal, according to modern ideas, is curiously like that of Handel's time.
Besides the instruments just described, the Assyrians appear to have also made use of a variety of drums, cymbals, trumpets, bells and tambourines.
Most of the sculpture work discovered at Nineveh is now in the British Museum, and reproductions of it are to be found in almost every book dealing with the history of music. Judging from the nature of the instruments represented, the music of the Assyrians must have been of a light yet somewhat subdued order, with no very pronounced effects of instrumental "colour," no blaring of large wind instruments or banging of drums. They also appear to have arrived at some knowledge of a proper combination of voices and instruments.
An interesting illustration, not only of the nature of the Assyrian musical instruments, but also of the manner in which these instruments were employed in combination with voices, is afforded by a sculptural relief in the British Museum, representing a procession of musicians marching to meet a conqueror returning from battle. In front marches a bearded man playing upon a harp apparently about four feet high and fitted with ten strings. From the fact of his walking alone in front of his fellow musicians, this man was evidently the chief of the musicians. Behind him walk two men, one playing an instrument of the dulcimer kind, and the other a double flute.
The dulcimer player walks with his instrument resting against his breast in a horizontal position, possibly it was secured by a cord or strap passed round the player's neck. The flute-player's instrument is small, allowing him to have been a tall man; each pipe would be about a foot long. Behind the flute and dulcimer-players come two more harpers, with instruments similar to that carried by the leader.
Then follow another couple, a harper and a flute-player, followed, in turn, by two other harpers, these last being followed by a harper and a drummer, the drum a very small one and apparently played with the finger-tips. This constitutes the orchestra. The rear of the procession is brought up by six adult and nine juvenile singers, the whole forming a band and chorus of twenty-six instrumentalists and singers divided as follows :-
2 Double flutes.
1 Small drum.
1 Dulcimer.
6 Singing men or women.
7 Harps.
9 Singing boys.
There is undoubtedly a strong sense of proportion and general fitness exhibited in this combination, so much so, that we can hardly imagine the disposition of this body of musicians to have been purely a matter of chance. The sharper sounding instruments, the flutes and the dulcimer, are carefully subordinated, and considering the nature of the other instruments, the drum may be said to be sufficiently large and powerful for the purpose it had to serve.
The backbone of the band is in the harps, they represent the violins of the modern orchestra. The proportion of singers to instrumentalists, again, although somewhat unequal, according to modern ideas, is curiously like that of Handel's time.
Besides the instruments just described, the Assyrians appear to have also made use of a variety of drums, cymbals, trumpets, bells and tambourines.
Related Tags: piano, piano lessons, music lessons, music history
Michael David Shaw runs music websites http://www.mikesmusicroom.co.uk and http://www.keyboardsheetmusic.co.uk Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Kids Halloween Party Ideas
Hard to believe Halloween is just around the corner already. This is a very popular holiday especial - Inexpensive Party Favor Ideas For Party Guests
The cost of a gift is not the most important, but rather the thought behind it. There are different - The Major Benefits of Watching Funny Videos
Funny videos have gained a wide audience all over the world. This is due to the impact it has made i - Handy Things to Know About Concert Tickets
There are a lot of people that spend time and money going to concerts. This makes knowing the facts - Travel Magazine And How To Pick Up A Good Copy
Many people enjoy reading magazines. They are a quick read and can be picked up in many locations. M - Planning the Infamous Holiday Office Party
Ok, so you're in charge of planning the infamous holiday office party. If you've ever seen the TV sh - How to Choose Songs That Are Suited to Your Voice - So You Always Sound Fantastic!
Hello singers! In this article, you'll learn how to choose songs that compliment your voice… so you - Host a Professional Halloween Quiz This Halloween
If you are having a bunch of friends around for Halloween, why not give them a Halloween Quiz? If yo - Discovering How Popular Horror Movies Can Enhance Halloween Fun
Throwing a Halloween party? Why not make it a night with themes from popular horror movies? For, wit - The Art Of The French Revolution
The art of pre-revolutionary France was decidedly frivolous in its subject matter and deliciously de
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Complete Defenition of the 3D
3D computer graphics as seen on FaceYourArt.comA 3D rendering with raytracing and ambient occlusion - Unlimited Movie Downloads Tips - Pick the Best, Dump the Rest
Unlimited movie downloads have made it much easier for busy folks like us to watch our favorite movi - Get Your Alliance Character To 60 In A Week
You may have looked around on the internet for WoW power leveling guides and come up empty-handed or - Why Do We Gamble?
Why do People Gamble? Gambling is a past-time activity enjoyed by many people. Some play at hom - Video Poker (jacks or Better) Tips
Video poker made its entry in the 1970s. It has proven to be a popular form of gaming. Video poker o - Top 7 Video Games For Children Ages 5 - 8
Many parents worry about the video games available to children today with all the violence. However - Why I Love Strategy Games
A strategy game is one in which the skills of the play and his decision making combine to influence - Prison Break's Wentworth Miller: I'm not Gay
In an attempt to put a stop to the lingering gossip and to clarify his name once and for all, Wenthw - Guys, Valentine's Day will be Heaven or Hell for you...
Guys, I know it's not fashionable to get ahead of yourself for holidays. I don't buy Christmas gift - Comparing 6 String And 12 String Guitars
6-string or 12-string Acoustic guitar, which should you get? Both have pros and cons, and both are e