Pastoral.info

Pastoral

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:58:39 +0000

Pastoral reflects the Greek origin of the pastoral tradition.

Pastoral refers to a manner of art, literature and music style.

It also refers to the lifestyle of the shepherds or pastoralists that move livestock around larger areas of land according to the seasons and the availability of food and drink for the livestock.

See also

Pastoral Literature

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:58:20 +0000

Pastoral literature often refers to rural subjects and aspects of life in the country such as being a shepherd or cowherd, or other farm worker. Such jobs are often highly idealized and unrealistically depicted in such literature.

Pastoral shepherds and maidens usually have Greek names; pastoral poems are set in beautiful rural landscapes such as Arcadia, a rural region of Greece and mythical home to Pan. Their job is often written as being undemanding and is often left in the background of pastoral writing. The Shepherds spend their time chasing beautiful women or pretty young lads.

Pastoral poetry began with the poetry of the Hellenistic Greek Theocritus, several of whose poems are set in the countryside. The may have drawn upon authentic folk traditions of Sicilian shepherds. His blend of simplicity and sophistication would play a major role in later pastoral verse.

The Roman poet Virgil adopted the genre and put it into Latin in his highly influential Eclogues. Virgil presented a more idealized view of rural life than Theocritus and was the first to set his poems in Arcadia. Italian poets revived the pastoral from the 14th century onwards, first in Latin and then in Italian. The first English pastoral poems were the Eclogues by Alexander Barclay, circa 1515.

Pastoral Music

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:58:03 +0000

Pastoral music includes strophic songs and musical laments.

The shepherds often play the syrinx or the Pan flute, considered a typical pastoral instrument. The pastoral genre became a significant influence on the development of opera. After the settings of pastoral poetry were written, Italian composers became increasingly drawn to the pastoral.

Musical settings of pastoral poetry became commonplace; these led to the cantata and the serenata, in which pastoral themes remained consistent.

Pastoral opera remained popular throughout the 17th century, not just in Italy. At the same time, Italian and German composers developed a genre of musical pastorals associated with Christmas Eve.

Pastoral art

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:57:48 +0000

Idealized pastoral landscapes appear in Hellenistic and Roman wall paintings.
Interest in pastoral art was enhanced in Renaissance Italy, partially inspired by the pictures of Sannazzaro included in his Arcadia. The most famous painting in this style is called the Pastoral Concert by Giorgione. Later, French artists were attracted to the pastoral style, most notably Claude, Poussin, and Watteau.