"A Cappella" denotes a musical performance approach where singing takes place without any instrumental accompaniment. This method relies solely on vocalists using their voices and harmonies to generate music, devoid of external instrument support.
The phrase "A cappella" has its roots in the Italian language, signifying "in the manner of the chapel" or "in the style of the chapel". This references the historical practice of vocal music being performed in churches during medieval and Renaissance times without the use of instruments. Over the course of time, this unaccompanied singing tradition evolved into a distinctive musical performance style, spanning diverse genres and musical categories.
In the realm of "A cappella" singing, vocalists skillfully utilize their voices to craft and reproduce melodies, harmonies, and rhythmic patterns. Various singers usually assume distinct vocal roles such as soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. The amalgamation of these vocal components contributes to a lush sonic tapestry and infuses vitality into the performance.
"A cappella" renditions encompass both small choral ensembles and solo or small group acts. In contemporary times, this singing style is embraced across a spectrum of genres including pop, jazz, classical, gospel, folk, and beyond. Singers display their musical prowess through intricate arrangements and harmonization techniques, producing an array of vocal nuances and effects.
Ensemble | Setting |
Duet | 2 musicians |
Trio | 3 musicians |
Quartet | 4 musicians |
Quintet | 5 musicians |
Sextet | 6 musicians |
Septet | 7 musicians |
Octet | 8 musicians |
String Orchestra | Group of strings |
Wind Band | Group of woodwinds, brass, percussion |
Brass Band | Group of brass, percussion |
Percussion Band | Group of percussion |
Orchestra | Group of strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion |
Choir | Group of different parts of human voices |
Jiangnan Sizhu | Group of Chinese strings and winds |
Chinese Orchestra | Group of Chinese instruments |
Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer, the predominant musical figure during the transition between the Classical to Romantic eras. He occupies an unprecedented dominance in the history of Western music history, and has been widely regarded as the greatest, most influential and most popular musician who ever lived.
Beethoven's music inherited the artistic atmosphere of Haydn and Mozart, penetrated the desire for dignity, vented the anger tortured by fate, and demonstrated his determination to fight with fate.
Compared to other musicians, Beethoven is effectively to interact the philosophy of life with audience through music. Although he was not a romantic, he had become the object followed by other romantics.
As a musician, Beethoven suffered from ear diseases. However, he was unwilling to succumb to fate, vowing to take fate by the throat, and continue to complete his career. In the last ten years of his life, without hearing any sound, his compositions influenced the development of music for nearly two hundred years.