It's that time of year again when I get an itchin' for some classical music. My previous outing with Mahler was a real blast as the one with Shostakovich was before that. I'm feeling a little directionless this time though and not sure whose music to explore next. I've checked some of the old classical threads but they are just that; old.
Just to narrow things down I'm thinking maybe I want to try a composer whose name starts with 'B' and is not Beethoven. Any suggestions?
Posted on: 11 March 2010 by Dan Carney
Programme music...
Remember, the very term 'programatic' is a relatively recent musical term. Therefore, there is a difference between 'music-with-a-dedication' and programatic music, and of course, 'absolute' music.
'Absolute' music - music that is usually generically titled, carries no hidden meaning, etc.
'music-with-a-dedication' - music that may have been written in response to an event (death, political, love, war, etc.).
Programatic music - music that INTENTIONALLY attempts to portray a narrative, a story/myth/legend/etc. This music tends to be anything from mid-late Classical (Age of Enlightenment) through to 20th Century works.
The terms used, seem to have a strong correlation to the differing genres they are applicable to. Whether programatic music is better, or worse than the 'non' variety is simply a matter of taste.
I suppose, we could DESCRIBE most music as being programatic, but we cannot define it as being so...
Posted on: 11 March 2010 by mikeeschman
I am in the process of learning 10+ hours of new music, something I began months ago.
To learn the music, I study the themes in my dictionary of themes, spend some time in the score, follow along with the score occasionally, listen often unencumbered by paper, and read what I can of the composer and the work.
In doing this, I do not attempt to gain a comprehensive knowledge. Rather, I use what time I have as well as I can.
For me, hearing things not noticed previously spells success.
My new music falls neatly into two groups. Both groups favor structural perfection and an exciting density of musical thought rarely achieved. Whole generations pass with no single composer approaching the emotional and spiritual density all of the composers in both groups appear to create without effort.
Bach is the entire first group. The other group consists of Chopin, Debussy and Stravinsky, each one of whom reaches the pinnacles with a unique and original vocabulary.
When I need a break, some Haydn Trios are nice, or if really fried, New Orleans music.
When you take the time to learn the themes, the score is much easier to read, you hear more structure, and you form new opinions quite different from what preceded them.
Haven't come to any conclusions, the music is just unfolding itself for me.
Much more of my energy is being diverted to my ears. I am falling deeper in love with the music.
Soon I will take a break from all music but New Orleans music. That's always nice to do in the spring.
