Klarinet Archive - Posting 000969.txt from 2000/06

From: "John W. Sheridan" <otare@-----.au>
Subj: [kl] Good/bad music
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 19:45:12 -0400

Being that I kinda started this thread with my question about despised
music, I guess I should throw my offering into the hat.
I would mention that there appears to be some difference in music one
performs and music one enjoys listenting to - which I really didn't expect,
I suppose because not having performed in orchestral groups I never gave
thought to what sounds beautiful might be difficult, boring or otherwise
unpleasant to play. (I should have remembered as a band person, the numerous
times I played "1812 Overture" and how a genuine appreciation grew gradually
into a total dislike of the music to the point I don't even enjoy listening
to it any more).

For me, good music comes from the heart or soul of the composer - an
outflowing of sound and emotion that carries me with it. I simply can't
abide a great deal of "modern" music - created and based on either
theoritical principals, or just because "it ain't been done before". Simply
put - if I can't walk away with a theme, or expression in my mind - it ain't
music.
Years ago, an art contest was won by a painting done by a chimpanze in a
zoo - when it was revealed what the source of the painting was, critics were
embarassed and outraged that they had been duped, along with a host of
ignorant individuals who took the lead of those in the know as gospel. I
think today it would be quite possible for an individual to create a musical
piece, using a chimp and computer and present something that might very
easily gain recognition throughout the music field.

Maybe I'm living in the past, but it seems that we have crossed a "border"
that has left behind talent, skill and perhaps even genius to embrace
nominal, mundane and uninspired efforts that the masses are being led to
accept as good music. I have to wonder if future listeners will miss out on
the opportunity to shed a tear to the Love/Death theme from Wagner's Tristan
& Isodel, feel the stiring cadence of the Triumphant march from Aida, or
create the rich fantasies of youth evoked by Peter & the wolf, Hansel &
Gretel, or visual images of Scheherazade. I don't believe the musical
legacy we're generating today comes anywhere near the giants of the past.
OK - I expect I'll be challenged or blasted into orbit for this, but this
is how I feel.
Applying fire retardant to computer screen!

John

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