For 200 years, harmony has been marching through the streets of Brabant with trumpet blasts and to the rhythm of the big drum. A long procession that treats the audience to music. It may seem a bit old-fashioned these days, but the harmony is still very much alive. Last year, Brabant had 355 harmony societies with more than 18,000 musicians. How did harmonies come about? And was it as harmonious as the name suggests?
Several centuries-old developments are at the cradle of what we still know as harmony, says cultural historian Gerard Rooijakkers. “In the Middle Ages there were town musicians, the so-called pipers. They represented their city.”
“These city pipers blew on a wooden instrument. They did that when the city gates closed in the evening, when there was danger or fire, but also during festive arrivals. You can also see the latter at the harmony. They pay a musical tribute to an anniversary or a wedding.”
“Each soldier group used to have its own music,” continues Rooijakkers. “There were complete orchestras on battlefields. That way you knew where the English and the French were. At that time, waging war was all about music. The soldiers marched to music. The signal to attack was also melodic. The dead were buried with music. Harmonies still have a bit of a militaristic character. They still march in uniform.”
“Dancing to music was out of the question in those prudish times.”
According to Rooijakkers, the church had a big say in the creation of the harmonies. “Around 1830 churches saw how the people wasted their scarce free time in the pub. Music was made and danced there, but that was completely out of the question in those prudish times when everything revolved around strict Catholic morality.”
“Almost everywhere, the pastor demanded that violins and harmonicas be handed in. A harmony was established within the parish. Without alcohol, but with neat music and strict rules. The rise of the harmonies was therefore actually the death knell of free folk music.”
It was also an apt name. Harmony: without dissonance, everyone listens to each other. “But make no mistake, with the harmony the behavior of the common people was controlled.”
Political parties and companies also set up their own orchestras. “The factory workers had to be educated, because they also wanted them to be fit at work on Monday,” explains Rooijakkers. “So don’t go to the cafe on Sunday, but make music together.”
“Don’t be too serious, then you also address young people.”
A competitive element was added later. With prizes for the best music and the most beautiful uniform and banner. “Musicians practiced more and more. They wanted to perform well. A new culture of musical pleasure emerged in the villages, but that went smoothly according to the rules imposed.”
And now? Is the harmony resilient enough to adapt to contemporary forms of music?
Order and pleasure should go together, says Rooijakkers. “You have the traditional uniforms and the marching. But it’s also important that people have fun. If it’s just about rehearsing and performing, then the fun is quickly over.”
According to Rooijakkers, harmonies miss opportunities there. “Be creative with musical instruments, use a synthesizer. Play in original places. Surprise someone with a beautiful serenade at the front door, for example. Don’t be too serious, then you will also appeal to young people.”
