According to music historian Homer Ulrich, it is likely that Egypt influenced the "educational and ethical aspects of Greek music". Murals showing singers and instrumentalist performing have also been found. On various pieces of sculpture there are reliefs of harpists and flutists taking part in religious ceremonies and social entertainments.Ī number of instruments have been identified as being used in Egypt, including the lyre (a type of harp), an oboe-like instrument, various drums from Asia, the lute and the sistrum (rattle). Egyptian sources, however, include only pictorial relics, some instruments, and a few literary records concerned with performance practices. In fact, every shade and quality of sentiment are found in the wealth of songs and psalms and in the diverse melodies of the people." : XĬultural influences Egypt Įgypt was among the oldest cultures of the Near East and had a highly developed musical culture dating back to around 3000 BC. where people used music in their daily lives." "Such music was capable of expressing a great variety of moods and feelings or the broadly marked antitheses of joy and sorrow, hope and fear, faith and doubt. biblical period, we would find a culture filled with music. : 106Īccording to ancient music historian Theodore Burgh, "If we were able to step into the. Data also describes outdoor scenes of music and dancing in sometimes prophetic frenzies, often with carefully orchestrated and choreographed musicians and singers within specially built structures. Figurines and iconographic depictions show that people played chordophones and frame drums, and that the human voice was essential as women and men sang love songs along with laments for the deceased. Archaeological and written data have demonstrated clearly that music was an integral part of daily life in ancient Israel. The study of ancient musical instruments has been practiced for centuries with some researchers studying instruments from Israel dating to the biblical period.
Historian Irene Hesk notes that of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament, the 150 Psalms in the Book of Psalms ascribed to King David, have served as "the bedrock of Judeo-Christian hymnology," concluding that "no other poetry has been set to music more often in Western civilization." The music of religious ritual was first used by King David: according to the Larousse Encyclopedia of Music, he is credited with confirming the men of the Tribe of Levi as the "custodians of the music of the divine service".
writes that "music, both vocal and instrumental, was well cultivated among the Hebrews, the New Testament Christians, and the Christian church through the centuries." He adds that "a look at the Old Testament reveals how God's ancient people were devoted to the study and practice of music, which holds a unique place in the historical and prophetic books, as well as the Psalter." Religion and music historian Herbert Lockyer, Jr. Knowledge of the biblical period is mostly from literary references in the Bible and post-biblical sources. David Playing the Harp by Jan de Bray, 1670.
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