Here's a list of certain characteristics of music that make it popular,
whether it be classical, jazz, musical theatre, operetta, or "pop:"
1. Ease of understanding. Complex forms, dissonant harmonies that require
horizontal, polyphonic listening, and music with an abstract programme or
"hidden meaning" don't appeal to a majority of music listeners.
2. Accessibility. Music that is only performed in East Podunk, Iowa,
won't be as popular as music that is performed all over the place. In
order for music to be popular, an average layman must be able to at least
go no further than a few miles to hear it performed, or simply hear it on
the radio.
3. Marketing. If enough ads tell you that a certain type of music is
good, you'll begin to believe it...or, at least that's the theory. This
applies to all types of music.
4. Rebellion and Conformity. Today's kids like the bubble gum being
produced today because it annoys people, or because they can fawn over the
performers instead of appreciate the music. Parents may not allow young
girls to date, but they can fantasize about the carbon copy fellows of
N'Sync or the Back Street Boys, and young boys can fantasize about Britney
Spears or Christina Aguilera or some such other airheaded over-marketed
female performer (Christina Aguilera said she enjoyed the Cannes Film
Festival, and she wondered where it would be this year so she could go...no
joke). People have been rebelling with their musical choices since Verdi
supported Garibaldi. People will also listen to something because someone
else who is considered "cool" listens to it. This, also, can be traced
back to classical music in the 18th Century, since the Emperor had such
power over a piece's impact (if he fell asleep, everyone "hated the piece,"
even if they tacitly liked it).
Certain other aspects of music make it popular. The Tchaikowsky Bb
Minor Piano Concerto is still a soloist's trump card. It's emotion and
nationalistic fervor make it extremely straightforward. A piece's quality
can make it popular in this vein. Great melodies and sounds can make a
piece popular, too. Just look at "Full Moon and Empty Arms" and "Moon
Love," two of Rachmaninov's "hits."
I hope this can shed some more light on this subject.
I still invite comments...
Charles L. L. Dalmas
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http://www.winternet.com/~davion
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