Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - What's the deal with contemporary classical music?!

aberkok · 01-18-2005, 09:40 PM

Man, I can't tell you how many times I've thought about this or ranted. I feel like a lot of composers these days are a product of the Universities or grant beneficiaries, and as a result are somewhat detached from what's going on musically for most people. I find myself unable to relate emotionally to what's going on in these pieces.

I worked as an usher for almost 3 years at Roy Thomson Hall, home of the Toronto Symphony. Every concert would have a similar structure. A lighter or shorter piece possibly string orchestra only, followed by a new piece by the latest competition winner or commision from the composer in residence (and a symphony in the second half of the program). The new piece was, with few exceptions, received very badly. I often didn't enjoy it.

I have a music degree and one of the things you hear most from professors when it comes to this topic is "meet the music halfway." I'm a jazz guy and we generally feel this about our music too. It's not as catchy as most pop music, but the idea is that after hundreds of repeat listenings, our music will still hold something worthwile. Well, I feel that most contemporary classical music is asking the listener to meet them more than halfway (90%). That doesn't allow for the listening experience to be visceral or emotional enough for my liking.

There's nothing wrong with a good tune and these guys don't seem to know that. I feel it's just the orchestras and tenured university professors just trying to preserve a really outdated forum for trying out new ideas. This stuff should stay in the classroom. When it's time to write for real people, you don't have to be Kenny G or Michael Bolton, but you got to give them something to hang on to.

That is all.

01-18-2005, 09:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
aberkok “Wrong is right.” Location: toronto	Man, I can't tell you how many times I've thought about this or ranted. I feel like a lot of composers these days are a product of the Universities or grant beneficiaries, and as a result are somewhat detached from what's going on musically for most people. I find myself unable to relate emotionally to what's going on in these pieces. I worked as an usher for almost 3 years at Roy Thomson Hall, home of the Toronto Symphony. Every concert would have a similar structure. A lighter or shorter piece possibly string orchestra only, followed by a new piece by the latest competition winner or commision from the composer in residence (and a symphony in the second half of the program). The new piece was, with few exceptions, received very badly. I often didn't enjoy it. I have a music degree and one of the things you hear most from professors when it comes to this topic is "meet the music halfway." I'm a jazz guy and we generally feel this about our music too. It's not as catchy as most pop music, but the idea is that after hundreds of repeat listenings, our music will still hold something worthwile. Well, I feel that most contemporary classical music is asking the listener to meet them more than halfway (90%). That doesn't allow for the listening experience to be visceral or emotional enough for my liking. There's nothing wrong with a good tune and these guys don't seem to know that. I feel it's just the orchestras and tenured university professors just trying to preserve a really outdated forum for trying out new ideas. This stuff should stay in the classroom. When it's time to write for real people, you don't have to be Kenny G or Michael Bolton, but you got to give them something to hang on to. That is all. __________________ !check out my new blog! http://arkanamusic.wordpress.com Warden Gentiles: "It? Perfectly innocent. But I can see how, if our roles were reversed, I might have you beaten with a pillowcase full of batteries."