During World War II, classical music faced varying degrees of censorship, or lack thereof. For the most part, widespread recording technologies and commercial radio made it easy to promote classical music,...
In the fast pace of modern popular culture where trends seem to disappear before they even start, it is easy to forget their origin and cultural significance. Trends often blossom from smaller or marginalized...
From the Star-Spangled Banner at American football games to the red, white and blue decorations at election rallies, Americana has long been a symbol of pride and cultural identity. The aesthetics of American...
For a significant portion of the late 2000s and early 2010s, the commercial charts were dominated by a unique strain of modern pop music retroactively coined “recession pop.” Characterized by uptempo...
From Ludwig van Beethoven’s 1813 triumphant “Wellington's Victory” to the uplifting “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga in 2008, music has continuously served as a reflection and response to tumultuous...
From the vibrant textiles of Mexico to the intricately embroidered saris of India, different forms of traditional clothing have all been woven into the diverse fabric of culture. However, traditional forms...
Ironically, while the American economy floundered during the Great Depression, jazz was reaching new heights of popularity and innovation. Only a decade earlier, the genre had characterized the economic...
Capturing the human experience, poetry has existed in myriads of structures, rhyme schemes and meters. From fourth century C.E. Rome to 13th century Japan, each form of poetry has history hidden within...
Throughout history, classical music has acted in response to many wars and battles. For instance, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” was about Russia’s defense against a French invasion;...
An unexpected force penetrated the Iron Curtain that separated the Soviet Union from the West: rock and roll. In the 1950s, the genre originated in the U.S. as the rebellious voice of youth culture, combining...
“It’s not that deep.” What counts as “not that deep?” While not everything needs to be taken seriously, Generation Z’s widespread reluctance to engage beyond the surface level is prevalent...
