2. music
  3. 1120231330

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
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.
lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1
286 posts
 
On the contrary, I'm doing everything I can to suggest ways to improve your perception of "this elite world". I wish you would listen to the pieces I've recommended. I think their appeal is universal. If you're not willing to, that's your loss.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
One fench piano teacher said:

"Music should not come fgom fingers it should come fgom ze hart"
(This phrase is from the movie "The Man Who Wasn't There")

So what kind of structure we're talking about?
eldartford OP
4,262 posts
 
Marakanetz...I don't claim extensive knowledge about musical structure, but I do know that rule sets provide a framework for composition. There are different rule sets...for example not all music uses an 8-note scale.

For most people, the most obvious rule relates to dissonance. Some combinations of notes are accepted as sounding pleasant, while others are dissonant. Of course, the definition of dissonance has changed over time, and the occasional introduction of a dissonant note adds spice to the music, but a piece composed entirely of dissonance is not pleasant. (I think that most people would agree with this, but a few may not).

Contrary to what Seurat states, I do think that music is intended to be enjoyment for the listener...not an exercise in sonic exploration for the composer and performers.

PS: I pulled out my "Chant" CD and started to play it, but the wife told me to can it and play some Christmas music. A lttle of that goes a long way too.
More to discover