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Date: | Sat, 24 Apr 1999 01:01:06 -0400 |
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John Smyth wrote:
>Does anyone think that, as modern CM composers have increasingly
>incorporated elements of World music, (aleatoric or improvisational stuff,
>rhythmic ostinatos or free rhytm, more percussion, etc.); the music just
>isn't strong enough for vicarious listening anymore? Wouldn't I enjoy Reich
>or Cage more if I were banging on an instrument too?
Not just Reich and Cage--*any* music is more enjoyable if you do it
yourself. As has often been pointed out on this list and elsewhere, before
the invention of recordings and broadcasts there were many more amateur
musicians who played the latest hits by Brahms or whomever in their own
homes. You can bet your last button that they enjoyed the music more,
even if they "messed it up," than if they just listened to finely trained
professionals "do it right."
This is still true today; I don't think some strange mutation has reduced
the proportion of the population with musical talent from what it was a
century ago. It's just that we have gotten used to passively drinking in
our entertainment through the electronic media.
Jon Johanning // [log in to unmask]
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