Our musical heritage derives from the aesthetic, scientific, and philosophical concepts of the ancient Greeks. Music was an essential component of their drama and of certain religious rites, as well as entertainment. The followers of Apollo and of Dionysus, respectively, appreciated the styles of art we refer to as classical and romantic.

Greek music was monophonic in texture. It was generally improvised, and few written examples have survived. However, our knowledge of Greek scientific theories of acoustics, the tuning of instruments, and the relationship of sounds to each other has profoundly affected the development of music in the West. The doctrine of ethos survives in the belief of many religions that certain music is helpful, and other music harmful, in the worship service.

We continue to seek the perfect relationship, as described by the Greeks, between words and music. Our music language includes many Greek terms, and Greek mythology continues to supply composers with provocative subject matter.