Final answer:
The dispute between tradition and innovation in German-speaking lands was centered on the concept of music, which has been demonstrated to possess a universal capacity to communicate emotions. This reflects broader cultural influences and historical dynamics involving language, religion, and politics.
Step-by-step explanation:
In German-speaking lands, the dispute between tradition and innovation and between absolute and program music was polarized around the concept of music itself. This contention in the realm of the arts reflects broader cultural dynamics, where music can be seen as both a reflection of and a participant in various cultural forces. It's interesting to observe how music's role in society intersects with language, religion, and education, shaping the experience and expression of emotion through sound.
Music, as demonstrated by studies such as the one conducted in Cameroon by Thomas Fritz, possesses a universal ability to convey emotions across different cultures. This emphasizes the potent communicative power of music, which can transcend the specific sociocultural conditions of any particular time or place. Additionally, the historical context of music in Europe shows how changes in societal structures, including the rise of the bourgeois class, influenced the production and dissemination of music. Religion and politics, as seen in the sixteenth century, also played a role in shaping the musical landscape, as evidenced by movements like the Protestant Reformation.