CITY SYMPHONY Meaning and
Definition
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City Symphony refers to a type of documentary film that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s and gained popularity during the silent film era. It is characterized by its portrayal of urban life, typically in a large metropolitan area. A city symphony film aims to capture the essence of a city by depicting its rhythm, energy, and distinctive characteristics through a montage of images and sounds.
The term "city symphony" draws a parallel between the film and a musical composition that encompasses various movements and themes. Similar to a symphony, a city symphony film emphasizes the visual and auditory elements to evoke emotions and provide a sensory experience to the viewer. It often presents a blend of everyday scenes, architecture, transportation, and crowds, both at street level and from unique vantage points.
These films are typically non-narrative, without a linear storyline, and rely heavily on the cinematographic techniques such as juxtaposition, crosscutting, time-lapse, and slow-motion to convey the dynamics of a city. Silent city symphonies often featured live musical accompaniment during their screenings, while later sound films incorporated synchronized sound effects and music to enhance the immersive experience.
City symphony films are considered significant contributions to the documentary genre and have been influential in their innovative approach to depicting urban life. They show a city's cultural, social, and economic aspects, painting a portrait of the time and place in which they were made. Through their unique amalgamation of sights and sounds, city symphony films offer a lyrical and poetic interpretation of the urban environment.
Etymology of CITY SYMPHONY
The word "city symphony" is a combination of two separate words, "city" and "symphony", each with their respective etymologies.
1. City: The word "city" comes from the Old French word "cite" or "cité", which means "city, town". It was further derived from the Latin word "civitas", which also indicates "citizenship" or "community of citizens". The term encompasses the idea of a populated area with a distinct political and social organization.
2. Symphony: The word "symphony" comes from the Greek word "symphonia", which meant "agreement" or "concord". In ancient Greek, it referred to a musical composition played by multiple instruments in harmony. Over time, it evolved to represent a large musical ensemble, and eventually, it came to designate a specific musical genre characterized by multiple movements played by a symphony orchestra.
