Meaning of "Before the Common Era" in Music
Before the Common Era (BCE) is a term used to refer to the time period before the start of the Common Era (CE), also known as the Christian Era or the Gregorian calendar. The Common Era is the period of time that follows the traditional dating system based on the birth of Jesus Christ. BCE is an alternative way of referring to the same time period without the religious connotation associated with the traditional BC (Before Christ) dating system.
In the context of music, the term "Before the Common Era" is often used to describe the early periods of Western classical music. Early music generally comprises Medieval music (500-1400) and Renaissance music (1400-1600), but can also include Baroque music (1600-1750). The revival of interest in early music has led to a scholarly approach to the performance of music from these eras. Performers strive to be faithful to the performance style of the musical era in which a work was originally conceived, using academic research, historical evidence, and original or reproduction period instruments.
It's important to note that the use of BCE and CE in music is not limited to Western classical music. The terms can also be used in a broader context to refer to music from various cultures and time periods, where the focus is on using a dating system that is more inclusive and neutral in terms of religious connotations.
The designation of time that refers to the dates before the birth of Christ using the year-numbering system of the Gregorian calendar. This was formerly shown as BC or the abbreviation for before Christ. Before the Common Era is almost always seen as in its abbreviated form, BCE. The term Before the Common Era and before Christ have the same value, so the year 500 BCE refers to the same year as 500 BC. Both systems start with the year "1" and neither uses the year "zero". Before the Common Era has also been referred to as "Before the Christian Era" or "Before the Current Era".The former designation of AD (Anno Domini Latin for "the year of the Lord") is now shown as CE or Common Era.
In addition, you can familiarize yourself with the terms:
- [Abbreviation] BCE
- [Abbreviation] CE
- [English] Common Era
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