An Olympic Sized Song

Hello all, and welcome to another wonderful week of music! I hope that everyone has had a fist pumping and toe-tapping good time! I thought that for this week’s blog I might split up what I was talking about. First, I thought in light of the Olympic games we could discuss the history of the Olympic Anthem and also other musical components that accompany the games. Second, I thought we might look to another source of music that has great history embedded in its notes. Jazz music. So lets get started!

The Olympic Hymn, more commonly known as the Olympic Anthem, was first performed at the 1896 Olympic games in Athens. This was the start for a tradition that would continue for years to come. Each year the Olympic Anthem was played it would be sung in the country’s native language, something very different from today. This tradition was a staple of the games up until the 1960 Olympic games in Rome. The Olympic Anthem was composed by Spyridon Samaras and was written as a choral cantata. The lyrics were first written in Greek and then obviously translated so that each country could perform the piece when it hosted the games. Kostis Palamas was the Greek poet who placed words to the music. Demetrius Vikelas, the first President of the International Olympic Committee, selected both of these people to compose and create the anthem as we know it today. The hymn is not used as often as it used to be, however can still be heard before announcements and often times at the opening ceremony. Not only does the Olympic Anthem bring countries and people of all kinds together but each country’s individual national anthem also showcases their differences. If a contestant is honored to receive a gold medal, the national anthem of the recipient is played. Hearing the unique differences, yet similarly strong sounds of each anthem’s ring is amazing as an audience member.

The history of jazz is one that is very near to a lot of people but not quite as lengthy as the Olympic Anthem. The music itself has a life form of its own and weaves in and out of much of history. The music first originated in some of the more southern states, combining both African and European music styles. First came New Orleans Dixieland sound in the 1910s, then on to big band or swing of the 1930s and 1940s. Jazz music then continued to transform and influence music as we know it today. Some of rap and hip-hop can be attributed to the sound of jazz. The music was stylistically different and still today marks a different sound. Jazz is a unique class of its own, but can be noted as a contributor to other music forms.

Both the Olympic games and Jazz music have rich history. The sounds of the games and the sound of street are unique and most enjoyable to listen to. For years to come people all around the world will be listening to and celebrating the music. I hope that one day the two sounds will have the opportunity to be joined together in a possible New Orleans Olympic games.