On The Evolution Of Religious Music From Functional To Artistic

As the Protestant Battle Hymn of the hymn "God is our strong fortress" by Martin Luther in 1527 creation, this song is his creation of more than 30 new pilgrims in the most famous song, widely sung, by Engels as "the German 16th century Marseillaise", and become the younger generation musicians creation source. In about 1736, J · S Bach will be adapted into the same name Hymn Cantata "God is our strong fortress" (BWV80); in the early 20th century, Stravinsky let it in his chamber music (also a ballet) works "soldier story", show new music vitality.Based on the 17th century "functional" theory of art, this paper proposes the concepts of "religious music" and "artistic music". In the framework of the chronicle,the author, through the conceptual construction, the use of literature research, music analysis, combined with historical facts pointed out that the pre-set music social function is the main reason for the evolution of the art style, The social function of the service gradually disappeared, instead of music as an independent art service,therefore, this song for the birth of religion, at different times, different composers pen, from the genre, structure to many details.In addition to introduction and conclusion, this paper is divided into three chapters. The first chapter, the song as "religious music" was born. Martin Luther's"Protestantism" in Germany, against the decadent Roman Catholic rule, inspired the morale of the German nation, to write a song for the majority of the congregation,with the style of the Protestant song "God is our strong fortress." Chapter Two, J · S Bach's Hymn Cantata "God is our strong fortress." Bach adapted Luther's creation of this short chorale songl for large vocal divertimento. Although genre, content is still"religious music", but because of the strong Italian musical culture by the influence of the German court church service,musical language than the original song has undergone tremendous changes. The third chapter is the emergence of "The Art Music". At the beginning of the twentieth Century, Stravinsky with the original composition techniques, pure instrumental form, the public praise song into chamber music is a ballet drama "soldier story", become completely representative composer personal intention art works.The evolution of the praises in "functional music" is a microcosm of the"humanism" of the western religious music from "divinity to human nature".Although music function and artistic style in the original version and "adapted version" of it have changed a lot, but the initial implication of the noble faith of praise,adhere to, as the vitality of music, in the following 400 years, to inheritance.