Decline of the classical arts? I think not!
Fascinating article on the state of classical music. The author challenges the idea that the classical arts are dying, and instead claims that they are flourishing even more today than they did in the so-called "Golden Age."
"Check the Numbers: Rumors of Classical Music's Demise Are Dead Wrong"
"Check the Numbers: Rumors of Classical Music's Demise Are Dead Wrong"
posted by DenverSop @ 10:28 PM
14 Comments:
At 6/05/2006 3:36 PM,
Anonymous said…
1. Mozart really does all sound the same.
2. Beethoven’s Grosse Fuge is just plain ugly.
3. Wagner’s operas are much better with cuts.
4. No one cares about the first three movements of Berlioz’ Symphonie fantastique.
5. Schoenberg’s music never sounds more attractive, no matter how many times you listen to it.
6. Schumann’s orchestration definitely needs improvement.
7. Bruckner couldn’t write a symphonic allegro to save his life.
8. Liszt is trash.
9. The so-called “happy” ending of Shostakovich’s Fifth is perfectly sincere.
10. It’s a good thing that “only” about 200 Bach cantatas survive.
At 6/05/2006 4:30 PM,
DenverSop said…
Interesting... I've never known anyone who knew so much about classical music, and still disliked it. Does the author claim to be able to compose any better than the composers he/she criticizes?
At 6/05/2006 5:22 PM,
Anonymous said…
--"Interesting... I've never known anyone who knew so much about classical music, and still disliked it."
As a musical type I thought you might find the list interesting. Hopefully amusing. However I can't claim credit for the "ten dirty-little secrets of classical music". I just think it's funny and maybe a little true.
--"Does the author claim to be able to compose any better than the composers he/she criticizes?"
No.
I'm sure you don't mean to imply with your question that only composers better than the best composers can critique, question, or critisize classical music? What fun that would be? No one could say anything about anything without proper certification. Can you imagine the amount of paperwork that would entail?
Luckily it's not like that, so although your husband's Dad was German he's not the only one who's allowed to observe that German's must have been thinking about food when they named many of their cities and towns.
At 6/05/2006 8:43 PM,
DenverSop said…
Alright, that's fair. But criticism without explanation and example doesn't impress me much. It usually comes from people who like to criticize important people in order simply to try to elevate themselves in the eyes of others. Since I don't know who you are and can't hear your tone of voice, it's difficult for me to assess the merit of your commentary, borrowed or not.
At 6/06/2006 5:38 PM,
Anonymous said…
--" It usually comes from people who like to criticize important people in order simply to try to elevate themselves in the eyes of others."
Yeah. That's what I was doing. Stupid old Beethoven and his frowniness. It shatters my fragile ego. He and Anakin Skywalker make me jealous enough to criticize them down to my level. But whenever I try their frowns only grow frownlier overwhelming my sensitivities and inspiring me to even greater pettiness. ; )
Nope. Not me. I'm professionally good natured and silly. In fact it's my God given gift. I would have preferred to be blessed with a sexy low voice instead of my Barney voice. Dating was a chore. "Hey, Cutie, can I buy-dilly-eye you a drink." My wife only married me because she's all but deaf from listening to the screaming ear-destroying melodies hardly heard in hard rock.
Okay. You want a tone? I'll do more than that, I'll hum a tune.
Classical music has withstood the test of time because it contains some ear candy which can only be described as musical cream. Cream floats. Right? Some of it is so good that it doesn't even need to be sung on American Idol for people to recognize it. Why then do it's proponents fret so much when a negative comment is made about it? The good stuff has stood the test of time because it's good. The ugly stuff has stood the test of time because on CDs it's easy to skip to the next track. If Beethoven had an Ipod (and could hear) he would have surely removed his Grosse Fuge from his playlists. The best composers didn't write a string of perfect masterpieces that were equally worthy (Except Mozart whose repetoir is easy to recognize as his because it's all very similar). Even Beatle lovers have to admit that side A of Yellow Submarine rox. But if it were possible they'd wipe side B and replace it with The Kinks greatest hits.
At 6/06/2006 5:54 PM,
DenverSop said…
I have a lot of respect for the commentary in your last paragraph. It's true, everyone has some duds out there, the classical and the contemporary. That's why "greatest hits" and "best of..." albums were invented, right?
As for why classical musicians fret when something negative is said about classical music? We're dramatic and oversensitive. And it's because our careers as classical musicians are wholly dependent on people liking classical music. Why do we care what one person or group of people thinks? After all, not everyone likes rock and roll, either, and the rock musicians aren't worried. Well, I guess it's because we keep being told that our genre is disappearing - which is like hearing rumors of upcoming layoffs. The reason I posted the link to article is that it refutes the myth that we as classical musicians are trained to be terrified of. Hopefully it brings us some peace and sanity. We're a nutty bunch to begin with.
At 6/06/2006 8:37 PM,
Christianne said…
My dad sent me this article, too. I found it fascinating. And as a classical musician (working as an admin assist to pay bills and get health insurance), who's married to a self-employed classical musician, I whole heartedly agree with your last paragraph. ;)
At 6/06/2006 8:47 PM,
Anonymous said…
Really, everyone's career is dependent on lots of people liking what they do, don't you think? Or at least dependent on being worthy of the voluntary support of others. That's how we know we're offering something desirable to the most number of people. (Captain obvious speaks again).
Unless you're a public school teacher, of course. Then you're free from that pesky free market silliness. Don't worry. I can say things like that as long as I add; thank you citizens of Jefferson County for your generous contribution to our comfortable life. Life on the hog has never been so high.
Just so you know. I knew your husband years and years and years and years and years ago. Back when he was a wee lad in Ft. Collins. I'm glad to know that he's landed in a positive place with a good hearted, sweet lady.
Veil Erfolg!
At 6/06/2006 9:46 PM,
DenverSop said…
Christianne, thank you for validating my feelings! :-)From one nutty musician to another!
Anon.... Fascinating.... so, how did you happen to stumble upon my blog?
I asked Eric who knew him "years and years and years and years and years ago. Back when he was a wee lad in Ft. Collins." that works in the Jeffco schools and speaks German. His guess is that you are Jim Bartuska.
At 6/07/2006 11:40 AM,
Anonymous said…
--"Anon.... Fascinating.... so, how did you happen to stumble upon my blog?"
I didn't stumble on your blog. A mutual aquaintance told me that Eric had remarried and gave me your website address to stomp flat any incredulousness on my part. And after a thrilling game of click on the moving blog-link, here I am. Isn't the internet amazing?
--" that works in the Jeffco schools and speaks German. His guess is that you are Jim Bartuska."
I'm the well tolerated spouse of a Jeffco employee. I enjoy the benefits without the three month vacation.
I only know a few phrases in German. None were useful while traveling in Germany. Expressing a need for a toilet with, "Best wishes" doesn't lead to relief, only frustration.
In conclusion; Nope. I'm not Jim. Although Eric might wish this was Jim. I can't say that Eric and I parted on good terms.
From my point of view Eric was troubled and the drama frayed my ropes to breaking. Eric might say that he was troubled and his friend didn't stand by him. Which would be true from his point of view. Whichever, he was always a good guy, and from what I hear, still is. I also hear that he works as hard as ever.
At 6/07/2006 11:14 PM,
DenverSop said…
Well, yes, he still works as hard as ever. And he can still be dramatic at times, but I suspect he's much tamer than he used to be. It's too bad that you didn't part on better terms.
I won't ask you to reveal yourself, unless you want to. But Eric says, "The past is past. You've piqued my curiosity!"
At 6/08/2006 5:31 PM,
DenverSop said…
***LINK NOT WORKING***
When I originally posted the link to the NY Times story, it was taking me directly to the story. Now, it's asking for a login. This happens even when I try to access it from the link in the email from which I originally followed it. I don't know why we were able to view it for awhile and not now, but I apologize to those who are unable to read it as a result. I never saved the text on my hard drive.
At 6/09/2006 4:20 PM,
Anonymous said…
--" I won't ask you to reveal yourself, unless you want to. But Eric says, "The past is past. You've piqued my curiosity!"
That's a great attitude. The past IS past. Unless you slog into a pile that you didn't expect or want to step on. But if you're pique hasn't peaked then I haven't done my job. So with your permission I'll continue.
A few things that I associate with Eric,
"Gas, grass, or @$$ nobody rides for free", Rugby head injury, being annoyed by Brett,
At 6/10/2006 9:07 AM,
DenverSop said…
Well, this game has had a hidden benefit for me! I'm getting to hear all sorts of stories I've never heard before, as he tries to explain his latest guesses. :-)
His latest guess is William Follet.
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