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Religious music - Definition and Overview |
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Religious music is music performed or composed for religious use or through religious influence.
A lot of music has been composed to complement religion, and many composers have derived some inspiration from their religions. Many forms of traditional music have been adapted to fit religions purposes or descended from religious music. Johann Sebastian Bach, considered one of the most important and influential classical music composers, wrote most of his music for the Christian church.
Religious music often changes to fit the times; Contemporary Christian music, for example, uses idioms from various secular popular music styles but with religious lyrics. Gospel music has always done this, for example incorporating funk, and continues to do so.
Monotheism and tonality, all tones relating and resolving to a tonic, are often associated, and the textures of European homophony, equated with monotheism, may be contrasted with Asian heterophony, equated with poly or pantheism.
See also: Kirtan.
Religions
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