Klarinet Archive - Posting 000073.txt from 1997/09

From: alchev@-----.com (Al Chiavarini)
Subj: Re: you call that music?
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 12:11:40 -0400

Amen
alchev@-----.com

On Tue, 2 Sep 1997 09:00:50 +0600 fgarcia@-----.edu (Frank
Garcia) writes:
>Personally, I used to possess a similar, elitist attitude that is
>being
>professed about Lawrence Welk (and M. Manson). There are a few things
>I
>have to say about the subject.
>
>1. Not all music is meant to be analyzed, or perhaps even "listened
>to".
>Movie music, elevator music, lounge music, etc. are meant to provide a
>musical backdrop and enhance an audience's atmosphere. Just imagine
>some of
>our favorite movies without music.
>
>Line dancing, The Hustle, the Twist, the Polka, the jitterbug, the
>Charleston, all had music written in a specific style to provide "a
>good
>beat that's easy to dance to". Is the music that accompanies these
>dance
>forms (the Bee Gees, Donna Summers, Glenn Miller, Lawrence Welk, etc.)
>valid? It really makes no difference, because the main goal of these
>musical forms is to entertain. There is a varying degree of musical
>creativity and intent, and granted this music may not possess the same
>"aesthetic" or "poetic" substance as a Mahler symphony, but the music
>from
>the above-mentioned artists definitely served its purpose.
>
>2. People possess different music listening skills. Berg may be music
>to
>some, racket to others. The unfortunate thing is that many of us who
>know
>and "understand" Berg's music look down our noses at those who do not.
>I
>rarely if ever see a Lawrence Welk fan looking down their nose at me
>for
>not knowing his music.
>
>The word Music is used to describe an incredibly diverse range of
>material.
>Devo, Gregorian chant, Ivo Papasov, John Cage, Cecil Taylor, Bach,
>Lawrence
>Welk, etc. Music is many different things to different people. For me,
>music serves many purposes. It reminds of the past, moves me to tears,
>makes me dance, and communicates in way that goes deeper than words.
>So, if
>I was deserted on an island, and could only bring 10 cd's, would I
>bring
>Wozzeck or Lulu? Probably not. Lawrence Welk? Uh...no. Would I bring
>the
>Beatles? the Police? maybe. Would I bring Ravel? Definitely. To each
>his
>own.
>
>I am writing my views in hopes that the students on the list will
>always
>desire to broaden their musical knowledge and experience. It is a
>shame
>that the opinions of some of the teachers or pontificators on this
>list are
>so conservative and narrow. As for the snobby and limited writers
>about
>this subject, I'm afraid it's too late to learn and appreciate all
>that the
>world of music has to offer. As they say, you can't teach an old
>dog...
>
>Frank Garcia
>
>
>