Third Quarterly Report

Historically, music has two major forms: developed, classical music systems and undeveloped folk music systems. Developed music is systematized and structured, and undeveloped is without structure, grammar or classifications. Folk music is spontaneous and does not require training in a developed musical system. This distinction does not apply to the aesthetic value, i.e. content of music. In qualitative terms, though, classical and folk music interact with human emotions at two different levels: the higher, more developed, objective sensitivities and the elementary and subjective emotions, respectively. The difference lies in the purpose behind their inception which defines their implications and relationship with humanity. Folk music operates at the elementary, subjective level of human emotions: elementary, for it is about basic, instinctive emotions related to the short term, fundamental emotional needs, and subjective, for it is about purely personal emotions limited to one’s identity as an individual. Secondly, folk music fulfils the immediate purpose of music: as temporary emotional expressions pertaining to a specific occasion, time, and place. Thirdly, folk music is relevant for the emotions of only a small group, a community with a shared background and emotional state. Folk music is significant and pleasing and a powerful emotive language of a people. But, it is the innocent expression of basic, natural feelings, limited to the context of a particular time and situation. Classical music is not for the expression and instant gratification of simple human emotions. It serves complex and serious issues of the higher mental processes that determine qualitative human happiness in terms of their healthy survival and growth. Secondly, classical music is the expression of objective, impersonal feelings in relation to a larger reality beyond the subjective self. Classical music’s relationship with humanity is a creative, thriving interaction with the human heart and mind. Created in the human mind, its inherent purpose is to engineer and develop sensitivities and thought processes. Hence, classical music is for mankind. It encompasses the whole of the human being and life in its dynamics, instead of being specific to an individual’s personal feelings or an occasion.