{"id":730,"date":"2022-10-19T14:33:29","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T19:33:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nassaubaymusiclessons.com\/?p=730"},"modified":"2022-10-19T14:33:29","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T19:33:29","slug":"the-divine-origin-of-music-and-flute-in-greek-mythology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nassaubaymusiclessons.com\/?p=730","title":{"rendered":"The divine origin of music and flute in Greek Mythology"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The divine origin of music and flute in Greek Mythology<\/h3>\n<\/header>\n
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by Yulia Berry<\/h2>\n

The ancient Greeks thought music was of divine origin. The gods and Muses were connected with music, and some even invented musical instruments: the lyre by Hermes or Apollo, the simple flute by Athene, the shepherd\u2019s flute by Pan.<\/p>\n

The Greeks cultivated music at a very early epoch. They used it not only for entertainment and all kinds of events, but also gave it a great importance in refining the feelings and building the character. Numerous myths tell us how powerful the music can be. (Remember the beautiful and sad myth of Orpheus and Euridice?)<\/p>\n

At the public festivals, such the Pythian games the Greeks also held music contests. Athens, the home of Greek dramatic poetry, in its golden age was the main city where professional musicians met each other.\u00a0Public concerts became common towards the end of the Republic and formed a part of the musical contests.\u00a0By the time of the Persian Wars the music got to its highest point of the development, which completed the ancient system.<\/p>\n

Dancing and music entertainment became common at the meals of aristocratic families. Younger family members took instruction in these arts, as it was a part of higher education.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s interesting to note that the flute playing was limited to certain occasions, as its sound seemed to the ancients to arouse enthusiasm and passion [Aristotle, Politics, viii 3]<\/em>.\u00a0 For example, dramatic music was introduced with the Greek Drama, but limited to flute-playing.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s review some mentions to flute and music in Greek mythology.<\/p>\n

Euterpe<\/h4>\n

Euterpe is one of the nine muses, fathered by Zeus. All the muses were assigned various roles and Euterpe became Muse of Music and Lyric Poetry. She is almost always depicted holding a flute.<\/p>\n

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Eustache Lesueur 1626-1656 Paris Clio, Euterpe et Thalie 1655 Louvre.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Composers often drew inspirarion from the Greek myphology. Below are a few pieces that any flutist, who loves myphology, can add to their repertoire:<\/p>\n

Euterpe by Augusta Read Thomas. <\/strong><\/a>A two-minute fanfare composed in 2008.<\/p>\n

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