» What music are you listening to?

[giovannimusica]

*Compositional Music* is dead???

Living in the Pacific Basin at the cross-roads of the Pacific (East and West and North and South) let's me know time and again that *compositional music* is very much alive and doing quite well thank you.

Blessed Peace,

Giovanni

[Simone]

I agree with Giovanni, "compositionel music" is not dead .. Well I know that I am one of those who are listing most to pop, rock, hip hop and so on . But I am also listing to "compositional music" and I enjoy it , so I would not say it is dead ..

Simone

[sondance]

I have been listening to "Rocky's" piano Concerto No. 2 and his Variations on a Theme by Paganini. I realize many folks do not consider the latter to be a composition in the truest since, but I leave room for "happy accidents" whether they occur by the deliberate discipline and artistic craft of a skilled composer or by turning a phrase on its head or by me whistling a tune as I read on the couch. One piece may bring tears to me eyes for its beauty while it bores someone else to agony. That is why we have so much variety, no?

Rachmaninov's Variation 18, Andante Cantabile, is a timeless melody and arrangement, whatever we may say of its artistic significance. I enjoy listening to Var. 12 - 21. I am hearing a choral piece with soloists (boy soprano opening the melody in V.18?). Listen to the strings shortly after the beginning of V17 and see if you hear a chorus similar to some LOTR passages. It may start at V12 with the Choir singing almost all orchestral parts, so the ensemble would be a choir, soloists and piano.

I am also listening to Crosby, Stills and Nash's first album.

[acciaccatura]

Classical music is considered dusty relics that sit on old shelves and which can draw mostly the elderly rich. Modern compositional music is considered 'elitist' and impossible to approach. The vast majority of people, even right here, do NOT listen to that.

If people by accident listen to classical music, they will most likely not know what they are listening to. 'Classical' radio stations are quite popular, makes driving your car so much more fun. But very few get involved with music for music's sake. That is why you are not seeing non-pop replies in this thread, and that is why compositional music is dead - or at least dying.

[giovannimusica]

I admit to sometimes listening to U2 - especially to their early work - "In the name of love" is what I'm listening to now...

[sondance]

Acciaccatura - if you have not done so already perhaps you could start a thread on compositional music and educate us with some examples of its nuances. What do you like? What do you dislike? Why?
In my younger years (without any background to like or appreciate it) I learned much about classical music by listening on the car radio. Because the station at that time (they no longer do so) gave the year of the composition along with the composer, I was able to at least distinguish the historical styles. The game then became to guess the year of the composition - almost all of which I had not heard before, and to try to spot a major composer.
My shining moment came when some piece played and I correctly guessed the year as 1902. Such are the achievements of the uninformed.
So inform us. But let me confess: I'm not a fan of the avant-garde for the sake of being avant-garde. Experimentation is one thing, and artists need to be honest about such work, but there are those who hide behind the mystery of "new work" to create that which is banal and insulting. New aesthetics are not born without labor pains.

[giovannimusica]

That's an excellent suggestion. It could be a place where learning could take place - a real give and take atmosphere with plenty of interaction. I pray that such a thread might appear since it would help *precromagnon-australopithecines* like myself to get their head screwed on straight

A Nobel prize to the wonderful person who originated this idea - I salute you.


Giovanni

[robmcw]

Cochereau's l'organiste Liturgique. Track 9, Messe 3. (I think I can see through time right now!)

[ViolinCyndee]

Listening to some fantastic musicians on Soundclick. It really is amazing how much excellent music is just out there for free download!! WOW!

Cyndee

[peter.elvins@hotmail.co.u]

Right now i am listening to "turn in your grave", by Sacrifice

[Museo]

I am currently listening to "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" by the Arctic Monkeys and I am dancing around as I listen. It is one of those "feel good" songs.

[SecondBass]

I am listening to the album 'Hello Young Lovers' by Sparks. This is popular music with nods towards classical, operatic and even pipe-organ music. The first and last tracks 'Dick Around' and 'As I Sit Down to Play the Organ at the Notre Dame Cathedral' are wonderful pieces with many mini-movements.

[Maya]

I am currently listening to the Leeds band "The Kaiser Chiefs" and the song "I predict a riot". I like anthemic tunes and would highly recommend their album, "Employment".

[tamburine]

Hi guys,

Usually i love rock music...not any kind of rock, the old one...Santana, Clapton. But somethimes your mood is not for rock...or your heart is broken.
Unfortunatelly, mine is..So, romantic music be it! Especially since i discovered a website http://www.spanishsonglyrics.org/art...-iglesias.aspx which offers the lyrics also from a lot of beatiful romantic songs performed by this amazing singer. Check especially his "Emociones" album, released in 1979..very touching lyrics.

[Krummhorn]

Olivier Messiaen ... his Organ works ... the pieces are are religious in some manner of speaking, but very inspiring, at least to me. One of his known characteristics was alternating between the styles of extremely slow meditation, bounding rhythm's and an objective unfolding of the final cadence, at times ending in a major chord!
When listening, I either wear blinders or sit in a dark room so that I can let myself be surrounded by the music.

I would have to admit that my first experience with listening to Messiaen was rather uncomfortable - but upon further listening, I grew to liking, almost craving, more of his music. I find it inspirational, especially when I am in a dark [sad] mood.