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An observation about "Modern" classical music.

As I sat in my car, waiting for my wife as usual, I listened to a local classical music station which happened to be playing some "modern" music. I don't like it, being an old fart who likes Mozart and his ilk. But, as I had nothing else to do, I tried to appreciate what I heard. No luck, but I did notice something I have experienced before but never thought about. At the end, there was a dead silence of 3 to 5 seconds before audience applause. This never happens with, for example, Mozart where the final notes never get a chance to decay before the applause and Bravos. Obviously (IMHO) the music was so hard to "follow" that the audience were not sure it was over until nothing happened for a while.

I know that some guys like this music, but haven't you noticed this dead time? How do you explain it?
eldartford
seurat
63 posts
 
A reader doesnt like Dante "Divine Comedy" or doesnt understand Joyce "Ulisses". What's the problem? The book or the reader. There's no hard books, only lousy readers. And the same aplies to music.
Who said that music is made to be easy?
Music it's not made to be an enjoyable item. We are talking about culture. We must ear with the senses and feel with the intellect.
Do you understand Boulez "Sur incises", Carter Sympnony or Ligeti "Atmosphere"? No!

No news, you dont understand either Bach "Welltempered clavier" or Beethoven "Grosse fugue".
Who's fault? Bach, Beethoven, Boulez,Carter Ligeti, ......No way.
There must be an effort from the listener to fully appreciate the beauties of life.

Contemporay music as evolved from the melody, harmony, rhythm paradigm. If you want this there is the latest Robie Williams or Madona for you. (it's very easy on the ear :)

Should the composer (or any artist) be slave of the public? IMHO, NO.
Just some provocative thoughts.
eldartford OP
4,262 posts
 
Lousyreeds1...I don't think that I ever said that my preferences are the only acceptable ones. I have merely commented on some objective evidence that most (yes most) people prefer music that has melody, harmony and rhythm, and that, IMHO, these elements being lacking in a lot of modern music explains why people don't like it. This thread is supposed to be thoughtful analysis, not criticism. If you like to listen to Taiko drumming that's fine with me.

But Gregorian chants...mainstream? Give me a break!
lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1
286 posts
 
"This thread is supposed to be about thoughtful analysis." Exactly. This is why I've suggested that you listen to and read about a broader spectrum of modern music before continuing to throw out simplistic generalizations that belie the complexity and nuance of the subject.
arkprof
182 posts
 
Sorry, but not EVERY DETAIL carries such weighty "meaning," nor should each one be imbued with same ... and so very often there is absolutely no merit in pondering the meaning of silence. However, feel free to guess away!!!
eldartford OP
4,262 posts
 
Lousyreeds1...If you will check my original posting you will see that it was prompted by a conscious effort to listen and appreciate what I have termed "modern" music. As always, (for more than 50 years) this effort led to naught, and I began to think about why this is true.

Your theory seems to be that I am too ignorant to enter your elite world. Sorry about that.
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