The Ancient Greeks invented the shower; surely they also invented singing in it. But, until recently, it's been very unclear what Greek music really sounded like. Learn more about the process by which scientists have reconstructed the forgotten music of an unforgettable civilization, including their form of musical notation, then discuss with your team: does listening to their songs make the ancient Greeks feel more familiar—or more foreign?

• People have long bathed under flowing water, like waterfalls, to get cleaner than still water alone allowed. Showers as we know them today developed from this practice. In ancient wealthy households, bathing was a labor-intensive process that required servants to haul water, heat it, and pour it over people's bodies to bathe them, resembling a modern shower. Ancient Greeks developed showers after installing plumbing and aqueduct systems that transported water into homes and public buildings. Early showers were simple and found in public bathhouses where pumped-in water flowed through pipes installed at higher levels, allowing people to stand under the falling water to bathe. Early evidence shows that public showers originated in the ancient Greek city of Pergamon. Located 16 miles from the ocean, Pergamon had easy access to water and incorporated showers into its public bathhouses. Pottery art from the region also depicts showers, suggesting Pergamon was the first city to have them.
• “Nobody has ever made head or tail of ancient Greek music, and nobody ever will. That way madness lies.” While ancient Greek music is well-documented in historical texts, its actual sound and style have remained largely mysterious. The technical terms used and fragments of surviving music are difficult to interpret, and reconstructions of ancient Greek music have seemed strange and unappealing. However, music was an integral part of classical Greek culture, with poetry commonly performed as sung music accompanied by instruments like the lyre or aulos. The rhythms of ancient Greek music came from the rhythms of poetry. Greek poetry used patterns of long and short syllables to create meter. Though the tempo of ancient songs is unknown, the meter indicates whether a song should be fast or slow. Choosing the right tempo is key to making the music sound correct.
• (watch the videos in the article linked in the question, this will give u a much better understanding of the music) After listening to the music, I would think that at first it feels foreign. Maybe it was the singing that made it awkward for me but after hearing more seconds of it the intonation and the metric of the song is very similar to a hymn. If you would imagine the song being played with a guitar, you might get the flow or vibe that the Greeks were having. (OMG ok so i checked the first video from the article in youtube and someone in the comments said it sounded like the soundtrack in Eyes Wide Shut, a movie, and it does! but instead of the singing u hear its only the piano being played,,, how eerie)

Yes, something is killing all the bees, but Rimsky-Korsakov's are holding up okay; his classic Flight of the Bumblebees keeps landing in new places. Consider the examples below, then discuss with your team: which feels the most faithful to the composer's intent? Is there a difference between a reconstruction and a reimagining, and is it possible to reuse a classical work in a disrespectful way?

(i encourage u to listen to all the selection below, take ur time to analyze and differentiate it from the original, rimsky-korsakov )

• A little background on Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bees": It's from the Romantic period of music, which lasted from about 1820 to 1900. This era focused on expressing emotions, feelings, and imagination. Composers often used complex, unpredictable melodies to convey their own or a performer's feelings.

Bob Dylan | It's The Flight of the Bumblebee

• The song is a rework of the classical composition of the same name by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Dylan's version is faster and more upbeat, and the lyrics tell the story of a man who takes a wild journey on a bumlebee. He eventually finds freedom and a new life, as he sings "It's the flight of the bumblebee, lord, set me free". The song is an optimistic take on life and its ups and downs, and it's a great reminder that it's never too late to make a fresh start.

Al Hirt | Green Hornet Theme

• Al Hirt's "Green Hornet Theme" is a classic jazz instrumental that was written for the TV show "The Green Hornet". The song is known for its catchy melody and up tempo pace. It's also a great example of how jazz can be used to create an exciting and energetic atmosphere. It also serves as an iconic theme for the show, and is still heard in many commercials and movies today.

Our Shining Days | Chinese vs. Western Instruments

• In the show, the two student groups have to perform the classical composition together. Through the performance, they demonstrate their willingness to bring out the best in each other and create something beautiful. The scene is a powerful reminder that collaboration and understanding can help us reach our goals and make meaningful connections.

• Out of the three songs, Our Shining Days definitely is the most loyal piece to have the same intent as Rimsky-Korsakov. The battle between the two classes creates discord in harmony. Using its counterpoint, we can distinctly hear the strings clashing like sea waves. In Bob Dylan’s It's The Flight of the Bumblebee we are put in the point of view of the bumblebee like in the original piece, but it does not have the same thrill in listening to it compared to the original. Al Hirt’s Green Hornet Theme is the best adaptation for mixing jazz to the Romantic period whilst keeping the main intent of the song.

• The difference between reconstruction and reimagining in music is that reconstruction involves restoring a piece of music to its original form and function, while reimagining takes that same piece and transforms it into something new and different. Reconstruction focuses on respecting the original work and restoring it to its original form, whereas reimagining is about taking a piece of music and adding a new perspective and interpretation. Both processes are important for creating innovative and creative music, but the approaches used are very different.

Long before people debated whether the prequels were canon, Pachelbel created a canon that no one will ever dare to propose erasing. Listen to his original Canon in D, the look for songs (such as Vitamin C's Graduation: Friends Forever) that have reworked it in modern times. Discuss with your team: why do we keep going back to certain pieces in this way? Would the world of music be a more creative place if, in fact, we could remove the Canon from the canon?