[REPOST: realized the discussion was going on in Fractint-L] Jim Muth wrote:
FOTD -- December 29, 2001
Okay, so I'm running behind... ;-)
One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the great music. But as I listen to the music, I cannot help but notice that so much of it is from times long past.
<Zero Mostel> TRADITION!! </Zero Mostel>
We all enjoy the older traditional music at this time of year,..
Actually, a lot of it bores me stupid. I like the jazz and rock variations many artists of have done with the "old standards". I've got a version of Jingle Bells (MIDI file!) that really rocks!
...but why, I wonder, has no great music been written in recent times?
Define great music. And great by what standard? In a commercial sense, Britney BellyButton has probably sold quite a few more copies of her stuff than have *ever* been bought of the Messiah. Does that mean her stuff is "great"?
Where is the 'Messiah' of the 20th century?
The rock opera, TOMMY? The rock opera, JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR? The rock opera, GODSPELL? All winners in my book (of course, so is the Messiah).
Some will argue that great music *is* still being composed, and that it is only one's particular taste that makes them prefer older music, but if this is so, why do programs of older music consistently draw the largest audiences to classical concerts?
Chances are people who fancy "classic" prefer the more traditional stuff. I think most concepts have a depth, and it's possible that "classical" (i.e. orchestral, western scale) has plumbed that depth. (I suspect rock is close to that if not past it.) That doesn't mean it's bad, it just means you won't hear much that astounds you by being different. If one happens to LIKE rock or classical, one enjoys hearing the same old (loved) tunes.
Why does older music sound harmonious and beautiful?
Those sounds are based on the simple intervals and progressions, and those paths are well-explored. Modern composers need to seek less trodden paths, so they've needed to branch out into other forms.
Why does older music move us in a way nothing else can?
Speak for yourself; that is not the case with me. While I enjoy classical music as background, it lacks much power to move me. Shaun Murphy belting out a Little Feat tune...THAT moves me!
Is it because the world has cast aside the things of spirit that for so many centuries were the source of artistic inspiration?
I disagree on a couple counts here. I disagree that things of the spirit necessarily lead to the simple melodic music you're speaking of (JCS and GODSPELL are--I believe--inspired by things of the spirit). Also, people who perceive things they desire to express will express them in the medium they know and love best...not unlike how you express yourself in fractals). Classical music is no longer one of the common mediums of expression, so is no longer a common occurance.
Spiritual thoughts inspire beautiful art that brings peace and contentment. Secular thoughts -- thoughts of a world without meaning -- inspire ugly despairing art -- art that expresses anger and hopelessness -- art of the kind preferred by so many of our present-day youth.
I think you're way off base here. Spiritual thoughts also brought some of the darkest, most twisted art the world has seen: some of the paintings of hell (Brugel?) spring to mind. And some of the "sins of the flesh" writings were downright oppressive. On the flip side, there is much secular art which is stunning in it's beauty and appreciation of the world. Consider any of many factal art sites out there...how many of them are "spiritual"?
Can the blind, meaningless, unknowing and uncaring physical universe of science, vast and complex as it is, ever compare with thoughts of God and angels, heaven and hell, salvation and damnation, in the ability to inspire great works of art? If the secular world cannot inspire us as the spiritual world once did, has the era of great art ended? I fear this may be the case.
Sounds to me like you have the blues! ;-) The problem is not, I think, in the thing perceived, but in the perceiver. If one is feeling dark, no matter what one views, it can seem dark. If one is feeling awed by the natural beauty of a tree, one can perceive wonderful things. -- |_ CJSonnack <Chris@Sonnack.com> _____________| How's my programming? | |_ http://www.Sonnack.com/ ___________________| Call: 1-800-DEV-NULL | |_____________________________________________|_______________________| --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: philofractal-unsubscribe@lists.fractalus.com For additional commands, e-mail: philofractal-help@lists.fractalus.com