Klarinet Archive - Posting 001168.txt from 2000/06
From: Lacy Schroeder <LacyS@-----.org>
Subj: RE: [kl] Good/bad music
Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2000 10:23:26 -0400
Well, I must agree to that. I've felt that the accesibility of music due to
the media, has lowered the peoples' standards of good taste. I'm glad I'm
not the only one who thinks this.
Lacy Schroeder
-----Original Message-----
From: John W. Sheridan [mailto:otare@-----.au]
Subject: [kl] Good/bad music
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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