Settling The Score Ranking Classical Composers

Western Classical Music: Where did it come from and how did it "get that way?" We think we can answer the first question in two episodes, but the second one... well, you could build an entire show around that!



Today, we trace the origins of WCM from the earliest notated fragments in the world to the first named composers in history. Join us as we overturn the claim that "Not a note of music has survived from the ancient world," and find out what deck-sanding and kosher lunch meats have in common (the answer will shock you!)



CAVEAT 1: Correction: "Alexanders successors," not "Alexander's descendants"



CAVEAT 2: Greek persecution of the Jews was almost exclusively under Antiochus IV, but it was severe.



CAVEAT 3: The musical setting for the hymn to Caliope and Zeus stretches credibility. I mean, it does kinda sound like "Hush, Little Baby," doesn't it? The language is ancient though and, like we've said, the ancients are always surprising us. ;-)



====================

EARLY NOTATION LINKS



What do we know about the oldest found melody? - Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange

https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/91048/what-do-we-know-about-the-oldest-found-melody



The World's Oldest Surviving Music from circa 1950 BC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAPC1tG2BKY&themeRefresh=1



(PDF) A Musical and Mathematical Context for CBS 1766 | leon crickmore - Academia.edu

https://www.academia.edu/1618638/A_Musical_and_Mathematical_Context_for_CBS_1766



The Oldest Known Melody (Hurrian Hymn no.6 - c.1400 B.C.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpxN2VXPMLc&themeRefresh=1



History's Oldest Song Modernized for 2020 (Samurai Guitarist)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHGB8dS1OsI&themeRefresh=1



===========================

ANCIENT HEBREW MUSIC LINKS



The Origins of the Israelites: Episode 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_ao1i7LokM&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QQMmujr06QeRwMZC3goRd0n&index=6



The Pagan Origins of Judaism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZECezMYug8c&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QQMmujr06QeRwMZC3goRd0n&index=4&pp=gAQBiAQB8AUB



What Music might Moses have heard as a Child in Egypt?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At7jUZquUc0



King David's Lyre; Echoes of Ancient Israel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiA86HI-GLU&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QQMmujr06QeRwMZC3goRd0n&index=12



Jerusalem Shofar at Sunrise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKQrBURDtQE



The Sound of the Shofar calls us to worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVHQdKLbTXw



The original musical notes found in the Old Testament, played right before your eyes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh2KwEwaroc&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QQMmujr06QeRwMZC3goRd0n&index=19



The Original 3000 Year Old Melody of the Psalm 19 - Revealed?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M86lEfmVsEY&t=30s



Chanticleer - Psalms 23:1-6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOZ3SjHIUzw



Lost Melodies - Hebrew Chanting - Psalm 95

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEfF8fr5stY



Choral singing in ancient Israel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06rIvIBoNfM



Trio Mandili - Psalm 50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcbKoY7XpJE



Mendelssohn: Variations Concertantes, Op. 17

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiocuaABrWc



==========================

ANCIENT GREEK MUSIC LINKS



"Minoan" Lyre - Improvisation by Claudio Quadros

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0GzWKUQAJU



Minoan Theater - The Minoan Experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe_RsPWIOro&t=6s



Ancient Minoan Civilization ("Creep" by Radiohead)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz3d5x-MUT4



Hymn to Zeus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc109u7Zw8M&list=PLE619C0863B707DDD&index=4



Ancient Lyre - Kleopas : Hymn to muse Kalliope and Apollo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8Hpyov3Tt8



Rediscovering Ancient Greek Music: A performance reconstructs the past

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAmuQBnNty8&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QQMmujr06QeRwMZC3goRd0n&index=29



Cithara of the Golden Age - Michael Levy - Luthieros Music instruments

https://www.

We are back, and today we're headed east to meet two ancient classical music traditions that survive and thrive down to this day. Join us for an episode packed with music philosophy, microtones, and soooooo many instruments! Plus, find out why it's never a good idea to make deals with tectonic plates!





===============================

INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC LINKS





Indian Classical Music Website

https://www.indianclassicalmusic.com/



Ravanhatta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuQv70Aeci8



Lute Sarasvatî Vînâ) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz-Xmh9mXow



Tanpura Demonstration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVeFX4O4zT0



Ektar/Gopichand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWxajijf_4c



Ravi Kiran plays the Chitra Veena

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sy9omOERyA



Sarangi - Instrument of A Hundred Colours | Musical Wonders of India - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59FpEMSSQiE



Rakesh Chaurasia - Classical Flute (Bansuri) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9cefe-xD04



King of Shehnai UStad Ameer Khan Meeroo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M99kSqJZgMQ



Harmonium/Shruti Box

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jO_uHv4mH8&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QQD2X-QRTXBQJ1Ir8rx-al1&index=12



Jaltarang - Indian National Anthem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQ6Qp-07TA



Amazing Tabla Solo | Rimpa Siva | Farukhabad Gharana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ2WseDHEPI



40 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF INDIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwJ5FMx86Qg



Ravi Shankar - Monterey Pop 1967

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk60ObnbIOk





India's Beautiful Musical Traditions (Full Documentary) | Perspective - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcaW9uxk91E







==============================

CHINESE CLASSICAL MUSIC LINKS





Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng – Sounds of nature from 2,400 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6kXCZ_n80I



Bianzhong: Performance on Traditional Chinese Bells

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhcCSeRj2PU



Qing - Chinese Stone Chimes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKWqZLQDuKo



Guqin Master Chen Leiji

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ZKN-H7at4



Chinese Folk Songs for Dizi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVgqCr5D7ps



"The Untamed" - Dizi Cover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecR6fCv7Ck4



Hu Jianbing sheng improvisation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5d9nID_9Nw



Entrance Hymn for the Emperor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bilTiAwk18



Youlan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8IpKuy8NNU

Ancient Egyptians just loved to Egypt. And you know who else does? YOU! I mean, that's why you're here, right?



Join us for the third segment of episode 0c(1) to uncover such timeless truths as: Which scales did the ancient Egyptians use and was there a master scale as per ancient Sumer? Why did ancient Egyptians REALLY start calling their kings Pharaohs? And who were the four female Hemet-Neter who co-wrote the one surviving work of popular music that comes down to us from these times (we think...)?



CAVEAT 1: Still audible chop-suey with the edit points, BUT we have finally fixed this as of episode 0d(2.2)!



CAVEAT 2: Michael Atherton & Peter Pringle = Independent scholars, NOT amateur ones!!! Sorry, guys. We love you both!



CAVEAT 3: There is only one trumpet in the first example. The stereo sample I was working with had some right channel lag, so sounded like overlapping trumpets. Ah, tech shenanigans.



Michael Atherton: Truth, Balance, Order

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9WOSqH1Oig



Michael Atherton: Atum - Creator Sun God]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9WOSqH1Oig



Academia.edu - de Vartavan - Egyptian Dictionary

https://www.academia.edu/24283355/Vocalised_Dictionary_of_Ancient_Egyptian_PLEASE_DO_NOT_DOWNLOAD_THIS_OLDER_VERSION_OF_THE_DICTIONARY_UNLESS_NECESSARY_DOWNLOAD_THE_NEW_2022_VERSION_SEE_ABOVE_ON_ACADEMIA_EDU_



Neymar - Going Forth By Day

https://nemuer.bandcamp.com/album/going-forth-by-day



Egyptian Banquet Jam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oNs_BrnKNE&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=26



Michael Atherton: Triumph of the Deceased

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdmpOjZzXUQ&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=23



Ancient Egyptian Harp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBmWXmn11YE&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=24



"Hungarian" Scale - Double Harmonic Minor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-exHbyhwI_0



Egyptian Flute Improv

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdSIG7ekBlk



Ney Flute, Oud, and Frame Drum Jam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYQ_ol3L9Ag



Douglas Irvine: Nenchefka's Orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzTBNfQ7_GA

Our best episode yet! Who would have thought there'd be so much to say about music in ancient Sumer and the Akkadian empire? Join us as we trace the life of an ancient Sumerian classical musician. Along the way we'll uncover such exciting truths as: Why was Inanna the coolest goddess there ever was or ever could be?Why was there a Chief of Lamentations in ancient Akkad and what was his connection to Gibson guitars? What is the best animal to sacrifice to your instrument if you happen to be a shem player? And just who on earth is Peter Pringle?



CAVEAT: Nope. None this time!



LINKS:



The Sumerian Silver Lyre - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU4QRxsZhjg&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=11



Oud Beginners - Maqam Hijaz Scale - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k74TTCa-RT8



What Did Mesopotamian Music Sound Like? - A Beginner's Introduction - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHCfrNwkwu0



THE EXALTATION OF INANNA in Sumerian - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoLHfnr5Gc



'LYRE OF UR' BUILT AND PLAYED BY LUC VANLAERE - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZOFYT7w4GI&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=19



Mesopotamian Music HQ - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulBjuvmKbtA&list=PLJATefPoSWfkr2b7qK9lV7pdU4KWyvAn_&index=76



The Raising of the Hand to Ishtar - Ancient Akkadian hymn - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uzPllUL6bE



Silver Pipes from Ur (double pipe) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adiAQ2BpmiE



Silver pipe from Ur and drone by Tibia - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1SKS0jc1m0



The Lyre of Mesopotamia (A song from Persia/ Iranshahr) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP7-AphqdYk&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=17



The Epic Of Gilgamesh In Sumerian - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUcTsFe1PVs



Music of Mesopotamia - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Mesopotamia



Music in Mesopotamia - MUSIC IN HISTORY #1 - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCOawIA4b0o&list=PLdW0onEGGcNlt5gqyp9_fXL9uFdsNnfHf&index=3



The Flood Narrative (From the Gilgamesh Epic) (Akkadian) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oelcHhNsMsk&list=OLAK5uy_ngerDjzeM5lA1vPAF4qo4hPMNrl7rZgEY&index=7



The Flood Narrative (From the Gilgamesh Epic) (English) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViJu2jgKoiU&list=OLAK5uy_ngerDjzeM5lA1vPAF4qo4hPMNrl7rZgEY&index=6



A Sumerian Drinking Song (Sumerian) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MABxJfcX7_A&list=OLAK5uy_ngerDjzeM5lA1vPAF4qo4hPMNrl7rZgEY&index=8



A Sumerian Drinking Song (English) - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdsjzBA1Vlk&list=OLAK5uy_ngerDjzeM5lA1vPAF4qo4hPMNrl7rZgEY&index=8



A song for a son of shulgi - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwFSuz7QCD8



Music of the Ancient World - Sumerian Music V - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB5X20yoSNQ&list=PLJATefPoSWfkr2b7qK9lV7pdU4KWyvAn_&index=52

Ok! We are back after a halfway successful attempt to put ourselves ahead of schedule. Last time we left you in the Stone Age, but DON'T PANIC. This time we're bringing you out of it! Join us as we stumble through shingles and chronic fatigue respectively all for the love of telling you weird stuff that no one else cares about, such as:



What happened when the first wave of Proto Indo-Europeans reached Spain?

How can you combat modern pseudoscience with ancient tuning standards?

Why didn't neolithic peoples just invent writing and music notation and stop throwing away thousands of years of history?



Ok, so we didn't actually answer that last one, but we sure did feel the pain of not knowing. And now it's your turn to feel some pain. Speaking of that, welcome back and enjoy!



CAVEAT: We recorded this episode WAY back in January, so the schedule update at the end is not correct. Check out our last schedule update to learn more about that.







LINKS



STONE AGE MUSIC • Shamanic Tones • Sounds of Our Eldest Ancestors - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oqTdg2Rq1o&t=892s



Nomadic herders left a strong genetic mark on Europeans and Asians | Science | AAAS

https://www.science.org/content/article/nomadic-herders-left-strong-genetic-mark-europeans-and-asians



Sound of 9000 years old flute - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TqOqgA5_Ik&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr



Eagle Bone Flute and Jaw Harp - Ancient Trails - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJzBgReG37I&list=PLuFO87ncQ_QSgVhJr90aL7nDvEWmoREGr&index=3



Time and Mind | Taylor & Francis Online

https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/rtam20



Acoustic Archaeology | Sounds of the Ancients | Megalithomania 2010 Lecture | Paul Devereux - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oKxjm4pVww



Adam Neely on A = 432Hz - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKTZ151yLnk

What we've been up to, when we'll be back, and what's the best thing you can do for another human being in the meantime.



P.S. Forget the caveat at the end. I was able to get the lossless version in at the very last moment, so this IS the high quality sample! Enjoy!