Why was German music so ahead of time?

Question

And why did all these artistic revolutions stop?
Was there something in their culture they no longer possess?
I mean if you listen to Mozart, Beethoven or Bach the only word that comes to mind is eternal.
And although I do know nothing of the music theory I feel like every time I listen to them a new concept within it is unveiled. It's like a million layers of art.

Answer 1

It isn't so much about music theory, it's about what was going on in Europe at that time. For about a thousand years, up to the early 18th Century, the driving force behind great European art was Christianity. Artists, musicians and poets tried through their art to "touch God". Hence some of the great works from Michelangelo, Raphael and so on. But then something changed. Europeans sort of "fell out of love" with Christianity. Not that it wasn't still important but they began to better observe the world around them and not constantly day dream about the divine. Oddly enough, it was in England where this first started happening. But people still needed something outside themselves to believe in and the "love of the divine" was replaced by the "love of nature" - and later the "love of humanity". This mind shift made a massive impact on all branches of art and all artists sought to express this new "philosophy" in their own particular way. In a musical sense, the Germans led the way. In terms of poetry, the English would have had the edge & so on. Because it can be reproduced and is so accessible, German music from that time has undoubtedly made the greatest impact.



Why have these artistic revolutions stopped? Probably because of the increasing shallow thinking in western civilization. The quest for wealth has replaced the quest for knowledge. We aren't even trying to understand our place in the universe anymore, since we're convinced we're at the center of it. Hopefully this will change. One day.

Answer 2

They had money. Playing for churches, or playing for royalty gives you the opportunity to focus solely on music.

It also doesn't help that you choose Bach, Mozart and Beethoven because they all had monster ears and could hear and improv. like maniacs. They were musical freaks and its no surprise that the majority of classical music that sounds appealing to the majority is theirs.



There were italian, american, french, spanish, mexican classical composers who also made very beautiful music but most people just don't know.

Answer 3

I have no idea why german music was ahead of its time.

But I always have and always will appreciate it.



not only classicals, industrial as well.

Especially in the 70s and 80s. Einsturzende Neubauten and Rammstien were ahead of their time then. People as young as I (23) are into that music now and still, are ahead of their time.

its amazing.

Answer 4

Don't forget the polka!