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Assorted items / General musical discussion / Re: Sites rich in musical pickings
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on: September 18, 2013, 01:18:24 pm
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The commodification of Art - turning it into a vehicle for "trade" and private profit - is in principle BAD - very BAD INDEED. That system has already been going on for far too long, and the sooner it is done away with the better. Down with capitalism!
I take it you don't make a living as an artist? Down with art thieves! |
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Assorted items / General musical discussion / Re: What piece do you consider to be the latest "Masterpiece"?
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on: September 03, 2013, 05:06:53 pm
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Maris(Latvian) probably hits the nail on the head, as far as I am concerned :)
I know that I tend to use the word "masterpiece" somewhat subjectively in relation to music which appeals to me rather than objectively(if that were possible ???) in relation to works which have the potential to endure into the future and will still be listened to for generations to come......IF indeed even that is something we could or can predict ::)
In that connection I am certainly prepared to concede that whatever I may think of Britten's "War Requiem" is beside the point. The work obviously has made enough impact on so many other people that it will be survive and is likely to be heard and appreciated for a long time to come.
Where then is the distinction between "popularity", ie a work being performed, recorded, listened to, "enjoyed" by large numbers of people and "masterpiece" ??? If a 'warhorse' of the orchestral repertoire falls out of popularity does that mean that a "masterpiece" has ceased to be just that ???
I agree with you, Dundonnell, that "masterpiece" shouldn't necessarily be based on the popular opinion. If that were the case, wouldn't Brittney Spears or Lady Gaga (or whoever the pop artist of the moment who sells the most albums by revealing the most cleavage going to win?). I think instead it has to involve the opinions of people with discernment to some extent. I don't know if that means critics because I know in some circles they are seen as being too closed minded, but it should not be based on what the popular opinion of the day is. |
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Assorted items / General musical discussion / Re: What piece do you consider to be the latest "Masterpiece"?
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on: September 03, 2013, 05:03:25 pm
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As for your question, i'm not sure what you mean, since there are no other anti-war choral & orchestral requiem settings in a broadly diatonic/tonal style of which i'm aware. No other piece tries to do what it does in other words.
I think you are being too restrictive in how you define the piece. There are many pieces that do what this attempted to do which is to use liturgy and contrast it with somewhat profane poetry to provide a personal subtext (in the case of Britten, an anti-war subtext). Very recent examples are John Adams's Gospel According to Mary from 2012, Christopher Rouse's Requiem from 2007, Richard Danielpours Requiem from 2002 just to name a few that come to mind. They take Britten as the blue print. |
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Assorted items / General musical discussion / Re: What piece do you consider to be the latest "Masterpiece"?
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on: September 03, 2013, 03:39:56 am
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Wow, how interesting...there isn't a consensus on what even divines a masterpiece. I was too presumptuous to believe part of the definition of masterpiece included a consensus of what artistic value the piece even had. If some do not consider War Requiem a masterpiece, it sounds like they do not believe it will stand the test of time which to me I can't understand. What else does what it strives to do as well?
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Assorted items / General musical discussion / What piece do you consider to be the latest "Masterpiece"?
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on: September 03, 2013, 12:28:35 am
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I recently listened again to Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" on chandos by Hickox. I think this work is so substantial in every way it deserves the title of masterpiece. I can't think of another work as deserving after 1962. Is the War Requiem the lastest masterpiece? What would you suggest as something that can be considered a recent masterpiece?
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341
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Assorted items / Commercial recordings (vintage, new and forthcoming) / Re: Kevin Puts (1972-): Symphony no. 4 etc. from Harmonia Mundi
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on: August 16, 2013, 03:30:46 am
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Kevin is a friend and I consider his music exceptional. He's very talented and also a wonderful advocate for expressive contemporary music that respects tradition as well. I highly recommend his music. His opera, Silent Night, is available on NPR in its entirety for free. I actually purchased this Harmonia Mundi immediately when I heard it because I've loved everything he's done. Think a mixture between John Corigliano, John Williams, dark Vaughan Williams, John Adams, and Samuel Barber with some updating. He's a tremendously communicative composer.
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342
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Assorted items / Individual composers / Re: John Pickard
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on: August 07, 2013, 01:10:20 am
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Can anyone give me an idea of what the music of John Pickard can be compared to?
I am interested in purchasing the BIS releases but have no feel for the music may be like.
I love Christopher Wright, Matthew Taylor, David Matthews, Lionel Sainsbury, Cecilia McDowall, John Metcalf, Ian Venables, etc.
I am very found of John Pickard and think anyone who enjoys William Mathias, John McCabe, Alun Hoddinott will enjoy this. It is dramatic music that is finely crafted, colorful, challenging but also rewards effort. It is no more challenging than the other composers I mentioned. |
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Assorted items / General musical discussion / Re: Music inspired by forest and woodlands
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on: July 19, 2013, 02:46:00 am
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D'falla: amazon forest
You mean Manuel de Falla? I wasn't aware he wrote a piece by that name! Other rainforest-inspired pieces: -Villa-Lobos: Symphonic Poems Amazonas, Dawn in a Tropical Forest, Erosao and Floresta do Amazonas-Francesco Mignone: Sinfonia transamazonica-John McCabe: Rainforest I-IVYes, you're right, I meant Villa Lobos - I was going off of memory but the error has been fixed. |
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