A Note on Modernism in Music

Posted by Amphissa (A) on July 6, 2016 at 20:20:19

Folks here know that I am not a flag waving proponent of "modernism" in music. I am not a fan of Shostakovich, for example, but it's not because his music is modernist, but because I find much of his music (not all) truly uninspired and boring. Others disagree. But that's okay. Some people like Mozart, some don't. It's not because Mozart composed in the Classical Era, but just because they don't much care for his music.

So, I am not anti-modernist. I try to keep an open mind and a sense of receptivity to music. And as a result, I find that (just as with music from earlier eras) there's some I like and some I don't.

Aaron Copland wrote a very insightful piece in the NY Times about modernism in music. Personally, I would argue with a couple of his points, but on the whole, I think he made a lot of sense.

You aren't going to hear me whistling Schoenberg in the shower. And I'll not be tossing out my Brahms to wedge in more Berg. But let's concentrate on enjoying the music that resonates with us, each individually, no matter what era it comes from.

Here's the article by Copland.

A Modernist Defends Modern Music

"Life without music is a mistake" (Nietzsche)

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Topic - A Note on Modernism in Music - Amphissa 20:20:19 07/06/16 (16)

"Modern music" is "the musical language of our own time". - genungo 06:57:54 07/07/16 (0)

RE: "I am not a fan of Shostakovich" - Ivan303 20:47:49 07/06/16 (8)

Agreed on VC, esp. 1st movt. However, Oistrakh's earlier recording with Leningrad Phil is infinitely more - jdaniel@jps.net 08:36:46 07/09/16 (3)

Not earlier, though. - rbolaw 08:50:16 07/10/16 (2)

Thanks for correction. Unfortunately sounds like it was recorded 10 years earlier. Nt - jdaniel@jps.net 22:29:13 07/10/16 (1)

All too true, alas. Nt - rbolaw 06:27:14 07/11/16 (0)

Actually, regarding Shostakovich ... - Amphissa 08:40:56 07/07/16 (0)

RE: "I am not a fan of Shostakovich" - hesson11 21:40:38 07/06/16 (2)

RE: "I am not a fan of Shostakovich" - Tom B. 13:43:49 07/07/16 (1)

RE: "I am not a fan of Shostakovich" - Ivan303 15:07:51 07/07/16 (0)

Yes, that's a justly famous article. - rbolaw 20:37:37 07/06/16 (1)

RE:"No food -- pretend it's the siege of Leningrad." - Ivan303 21:18:10 07/06/16 (0)

You missed our discussion two months ago? - Chris from Lafayette 20:36:31 07/06/16 (3)

I certainly did, and reinvented the internet. nt - free.ranger 10:47:16 07/07/16 (1)

Hey - congratulations! (But did you make any money from it?) [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 11:32:00 07/07/16 (0)

Yes, I obviously missed out on that one. But .... - Amphissa 08:46:11 07/07/16 (0)

A Note on Modernism in Music

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