Crossover in music - Electronics meets acoustics and classical

It is time to devote us to an article in music again. Finally, the focus of our publications was primarily in the visual and performing arts. So let's turn the world of sounds .

Crossover: a definition

The term crossover comes from English and translates roughly as "overlap," "crossing," or "crossing." Generally, it refers to the blending of two or more musical styles and genres that were previously separate, thus creating a novel sound composition .

Origin and development

1940–1979

Originally, strictly speaking, the simultaneous placement of a piece of music that can be assigned to a certain music genre was specified in at least two hit parades separated according to music genres. The term was shaped in the 1940s when the hit -like separation of music styles was the rule.

The history of crossover begins with the clear demarcation of musical styles in the USA. In particular, the advent of Billboard magazine in 1942 led to the isolation of an initially unified chart into black rhythm and blues, white country, and pop. Initially, the respective genres remained in their respective charts.

In the following years and decades, this separation was increasingly overcome. The first crossover interpreters included the Mills Brothers, Ink Spots or Louis Jordan .

This trend gained momentum primarily through Pat Boone and others, who covered "Black" original versions, making them accessible to the pop charts. In August 1956, Elvis Presley with "Hound Dog ," selling over 3 million records.

1980–2000

As fusions between rock and other genres emerged, and people were unsure where to classify the pieces, the term took on a slightly different meaning. Over time, new genres and subgenres emerged.

In this development, the 1980s stand out, especially when there was another trend towards the fusion of different genres. In the North American hardcore-punk scene, new forms of expression were sought, although metal elements were used many times due to the close relationship.

In principle, however, the majority of the limited punk schemas were sought towards almost all areas of popular music and has long been a synonym for artistic freedom. Detents post-punk or New Wave were the difficult .

While maintaining the basic energy of 1970s punk, there was also increased experimentation with styles previously considered unsuitable, country, jazz, and funk rock music that steadily evolved away from the original punk.

This newly emerging awareness finally found an even wider audience in the early 1990s. Along with the so-called grunge , a new scene emerged that separated itself from punk.

Today

Today, however, only a few bands are explicitly assigned to the crossover. On the one hand, this is because crossover never specifically and explicitly referred to a certain style, but meant the mixing of different music styles and style elements.

On the other hand, it is now almost taken for granted that bands draw inspiration from various musical influences. Only in a few genres is the adoption of "diluting" elements from other styles rejected.

Electronics meets acoustics and classical

While in the 20th century, rock and punk music were particularly characterized by crossovers, today there are many stylistic mixtures in the field of electronic music on the one hand and classical music on the other.

From modern covers with unusual instruments, to experimental reinterpretations, to large and diverse ensembles, the music scene has become extremely colorful and multifaceted in this respect. The DJ, as a musical artist, is also frequently incorporated into these "hybrid" musical pieces and interpretations.

Two modern crossover artists combine different sound worlds

Screaming teenagers, fascinated by the viola and violin – a phenomenon rarely seen in classical concert settings. Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus, aka “Black Violin”, have made it happen.

Behind the band name are two US hip-hop artists from Florida, both of which were taught and trained in classical music and string instruments such as the violin and viola.

“Stereotypes” is the title of the crossover duo’s latest album. By blending classical music and hip hop, focusing on strong emotions, “Black Violin” break down barriers and inspire young people in particular to do their own thing and explore new paths.

They were just on tour in Europe.

Henrik Schwarz has made it into the ranks of the most famous DJs of our time. His instrument is the laptop. A collaboration with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra at the "Jazz Open Stuttgart" inspired the producer and composer for his current project "Instruments" .

Instead of simply inferior with beats, like other artists before him, he completely waived beats and synthetically produced effects. The minimalist sound produced the Tokyo Secret Orchestra on normal instruments. Cooperation with classic musicians was for the first time for the DJ. Here two cultures crashed into each other.

The imposing results that were achieved by this merger seem all the more surprising.

DJ + saxophone + singer + percussion

A very exciting project is currently taking place in Nuremberg, which focuses entirely on the fusion of different types and styles of electronic and acoustic music.

DJ & Friends is the name of the Nuremberg formation responsible for this and presents an impressive connection between DJ and live musicians . DJ in Nuremberg plus singer, saxophone and percussion - according to the motto of the event. The modular concept combines the advantages of a DJ or a DJane with the unique broadcast of singers, saxophonists and other high-class live musicians .

The beats from the turntables provide the musical foundation and set the pace. Singers, saxophonists, and percussionists then build on this, adding virtuoso accents and musical highlights in several show blocks. The diverse sounds then blend together to create a thrilling, top-class performance.

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza. Journalist, editor, and passionate blogger in the field of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Successful completion of a degree in web design as part of a university study (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www. kunstplaza .de/