Most important living composer.
Thu, Aug 2 2012, 1:29AM
#2
RE: Most important living composer.
Cheers Bliss. Oh by the way, I have made a contribution to the debate. Which I see you haven't. One simply must keep things terribly serious old chap. Some of us have had that many threads hijacked by the way that a bit of humour does keep the old demons at bay, as it were.
Anyway, I really must go and have a word with cook about the state of the kitchen...
Do pop in again Bliss for a quick chat. I wouldn't want to echo Troyen's advice to you mind...
(Agree Arbutus - Philip's blog is quite interesting).
Toodle pip
Oh dear, but you know the old saying, ignorance is bliss. I had assumed something in you that apparently does not exist. Sorry about that, old chap. Hurry back to the kitchen - musn't let the servants alone too long.
Thu, Aug 2 2012, 6:43AM
#3
RE: Most important living composer.
Apologies Bliss (a genuine one this time!) You caught me in an off-mood last night.
And I do take your original point that my sense of humour isn't to everyone's liking. (Actually I was having a bit of a pop about press ethics, which I find quite funny, and while not relevant I know, it was just my daft idea of a joke).
All the best
Mark
Thu, Aug 2 2012, 7:05AM
#4
RE: Most important living composer.
Arbutus - Philip's Blog does raise some interesting issues and Parla there has been some response on it from me and DST.
We always assume that the proms likes to promote new music, which of course it does, but it seems from Philip's survey that the 20th C music being featured now is growing a bit conservative, or that the BBC is programming ' modern classics' in the same way it might promote classics from other periods. That's the way I read it anyway, and a whole raft of names left out which could do with some airing.
The Proms thankfully always comissions new works from up and coming composers, but I wonder sometimes whether novelty value is more important than more 'established' European names. Why programme Ligeti's Poeme Symphonique, which to my mind is a novelty piece by him, when you could stun us with Lontano, Ramifications, Melodien, the Double Concerto or the magnificent Requiem? Thankfully Atmospheres is on the same program.
I don't think that Poeme Symphonique gives the best picture of Ligeti and to my mind he was a major figure in post-war music.
20th C modern classics and novelty value don't make the best advert. As Philip says, maybe the proms has difficulty with difficulty!
Mark
Thu, Aug 2 2012, 10:36PM
#5
RE: Most important living composer.
[quote=partsong]
Apologies Bliss (a genuine one this time!) You caught me in an off-mood last night.
And I do take your original point that my sense of humour isn't to everyone's liking. (Actually I was having a bit of a pop about press ethics, which I find quite funny, and while not relevant I know, it was just my daft idea of a joke).
All the best
Mark
[/quote
No need to apologize, but thanks. I was just being a 79 year old grouch who had put up with a malfunctioning computer most of the day. When I finally got a signal one of the first things I read was your post and I just took it the wrong way.
In looking back through the posts in this subject I see many thoughtful comments from you and others. I try to give living composers my full attention but I don't always feel that rewarded. A few weeks ago I heard Grisey's "Modulations" and actually enjoyed it. But what chance does this work have in getting a performance? It calls for an orchestra with everything but the kitchen sink. Talk about breaking the budget! He has no doubt written works for smaller groups, but will we ever hear them? Anyhow, my list of living composers would include Adams, Ades and James MacMillan. A list of recently (10 years or so) deceased composers would certainly be much longer, as my collection of 78s, LPs and Cds would attest. A thought always crosses my mind when listening to some new works - why can't they write like Vaughan Williams, Hanson, Nielsen, Sibelius, Rachmaninoff, Copland, Holst and countless other 20th Century composers. I guess it's what we call "progress".
Fri, Aug 3 2012, 12:02AM
#6
RE: Most important living composer.
A very valid point with your "last thought", Bliss. Possibly, there is no much genuine talent along with adequate musical inspiration.
Paraphrasing your last "guess", I would say it is what we call "progress"...going astray...
Parla
Fri, Aug 3 2012, 1:01AM
#7
RE: Most important living composer.
Many thanks for that Bliss. Much appreciated. I suppose 'progress' means that the language moves on, but it does sometimes leave some people's ears (including mine) behind.. with some composers that is.
Anyway, I do value being able to talk to like-minded musical people like yourself, and we've always got on well, so no worries! Once again, thanks for that!
Regards
Mark
Cheers Bliss. Oh by the way, I have made a contribution to the debate. Which I see you haven't. One simply must keep things terribly serious old chap. Some of us have had that many threads hijacked by the way that a bit of humour does keep the old demons at bay, as it were.
Anyway, I really must go and have a word with cook about the state of the kitchen...
Do pop in again Bliss for a quick chat. I wouldn't want to echo Troyen's advice to you mind...
(Agree Arbutus - Philip's blog is quite interesting).
Toodle pip