Music in Redguard Society [ADDED] [Added OB]

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Macar
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Music in Redguard Society [ADDED] [Added OB]

Post by Macar »

Music in Redguard Society
Volume I

by Cusius Victus

Listeners are often intrigued by the exotic music of Hammerfell. The bold rhythms and stirring tunes of the west are immediately recognizable. The public has grown so enamored with this sound that many of our own composers borrow and emulate the style. However, few people realize that the style they so love is hardly representative of native music at all. The sound that we know as Yokudan today is in fact the sound of the Redguard military band.

Men of Cyrodiil rarely ventured into the noble land of the Redguard before Tamriel was united by the blessed emperor. Those who did were either envoys or adventurers. The adventurers were non-too observant of local culture. Instead, they brought back tales of their adventures and their plunder. Envoys, however, are educated men who realize the importance of their observations for the sake of posterity. Therefore, it was these men brought back extensive writings and detailed sketches that have been invaluable in the education of our citizens.

However, the envoys were the guests of nobility, and so their observations were largely concerned with the nobility. The lives and costumes of commoners remained largely unexplored. The music that they experienced was that of court. The warlike nobility of Hammerfell enjoy the rousing sounds of their military bands. And so that is what they shared with our envoys. However, these bands are only faintly Yokudan in their origins.

This ensemble usually consists of two mismars (a double reed instrument), two horns, two great horns, kettledrums, and cymbals. Their makeup and their music are actually a mixture of several different traditions. The horns are adopted from our own legions, brought back by Hammerfell’s own envoys. Kettledrums are originally an Orcish instrument. Mismar and cymbals are the only authentic Yokudan instruments.

The music of these bands is a combination of many styles. The Ra Gada were great assimilators. They adopted percussion techniques from the very beast folk they drove from the continent. As they came into contact with bordering provinces they also borrowed elements of High Rock music. However, the greatest influence to their music was, ironically, ours.

The Redguards were intrigued when they encountered Imperial troops. The Ra Gada were warriors beyond the caliber of any in Tamriel, as are their descendants to this day. However, in the art of tactics they were found wanting. When these warrior folk encountered our troops they quickly realized the advantage of a well crafted battle plan. However, they also saw the use of music in war. The call of horns can and the steady pulse of a great castle drum can deliver orders over the din of battle. They incorporated the use of music in war with a modicum of success. However, they also found their own way to use music. Before battle they used music to stir their spirits. They were known to kneel in prayer-like stances letting the music wash over them before they rose and entered the frenzy of war.

So, reader, one can clearly see that this sound that is so familiar to us is not truly Yokudan. It is clear to me that the facts about the music of Hammerfell are in desperate need of new research. The aged treatises that provide the only scholarly analysis of the music are not only out-dated, their scope is limited to courtly music. I speculate that the music of common people will contain a far greater amount of Yokudan influence.
Last edited by Macar on Fri May 05, 2006 4:34 am, edited 5 times in total.
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'What if man is not really a scoundrel - man in general, I mean, the whole race of mankind - then all the rest is prejudice, simply artificial terrors and there are no barriers and it's all as it should be.'
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