The Rest is Noise
Thu, Jan 26 2012, 5:11PM
Over on the news page is story about "The Rest is Noise Festival" at the Southbank. The director of the festival, Jude Kelly is of the opinion that Alex's Ross 2007 book is a "seminal work". Is it? I've read it. It's a clear description of music in the 20th century. Some interesting things, but quite a lot of (to me) of well known facts. It might be useful for someone wanting to start exploring 20th century classical music, but does that make it seminal? if it isn't what other book might qualify?
Ted
Thu, Jan 26 2012, 10:06PM
#2
RE: The Rest is Noise
'The rest is noise' is a series of magazine articles without the glossy pictures. Ross is fine covering periods that are 'historical' and accepted views have already been formed but he comes unstuck on most things after 1970. He guesses, he supposes, but he doesn't have a lot to say.
Thu, Jan 26 2012, 10:51PM
#3
RE: The Rest is Noise
'The rest is noise' is a series of magazine articles without the glossy pictures. Ross is fine covering periods that are 'historical' and accepted views have already been formed but he comes unstuck on most things after 1970. He guesses, he supposes, but he doesn't have a lot to say.
Dev, indeed they are (somewhat expanded) magazine articles, though in reading The New Yorker I have to say I have seldom seen glossy pictures with his pieces - that would be Vanity Fair (although during Tina Brown's reign as editor I seem to recollect there being much New England gnashing of teeth at the prospect of it going that way). But what does anyone expect? He wasn't setting out to replace the various multi-volume works or offer deep analysis, beyond the reach of his readership. Much as I enjoy Hans Keller, Adorno and the others sometimes a gentle introduction can be better. The danger is when you expect too much of a critic or any one writer; if all you ever read about Shakespeare is Frank Kermode you would have a one-eyed view.
I must admit that I really enjoyed the first section, regarding Mahler and Strauss and the Alpine Symphony. If, as you say, this is old thinking I would be grateful if you could point me in the direction of other writings on this narrative.
I would also be interested to see where you feel he most goes wrong post 1970? My own feeling is that he veers (naturally) to the US and the ground he grew up in, missing much of what has happened in Europe.
Fri, Jan 27 2012, 3:22PM
#4
RE: The Rest is Noise
He does describe the UK as a small musical nation, which I find rather strange, but then I am British
Fri, Jan 27 2012, 10:27PM
#5
RE: The Rest is Noise
He does describe the UK as a small musical nation, which I find rather strange, but then I am British
Micos69
He probably did, and nor is he the first (and nor will he be the last). We British tend to get short shrift on many fronts, even from within. Sir Thomas Beecham (in 1961) said, "The English may not like music, but they absolutely love the noise it makes"? And he said it in an American paper too...
I suspect most all critics tend to look on their own national heritages with greater favour than some others. I am pretty sure there would be many continental critics who would agree with Ross. Each one of us has our blind spots.
Sat, Jan 28 2012, 12:18AM
#6
RE: The Rest is Noise
Has there ever been an American writer on the Arts who doesn't think thaart the history of any particular art form has travelled in a linear fashion and ended up on the west coast via new york. I think thaart Art History in general is part of an American plot for world domination.
I really liked Ross's book - it was a good read and certainly covered a lot of ground in a way that was both thought provoking and interesting, but like any book about a subject as diverse and vast at 100 years of music it had holes, which I am sure Ross would acknowledge himself. I suspect Jude Kelly used the word 'seminal' because the book picked up so many positive reviews, non-fiction awards and certainly is one of the most widely read books on the subject in the last few years. You don't find many books on classical music reaching the best selling lists. Whether one chooses to be cynical (best selling is a product of hype and promotion as much as merit) or more generous (it caught the public's attention because of merit) it could be described loosely as 'seminal' in that sense.
I am trying to think of any books on classical music that I would describe as seminal; the only one that springs to mind as seminal (for me only) was David Cairns two part biography of Berlioz, which I found splendid. I would also mention Solomon Volkov's 'Testimony' about Shostakovich, which though controversial (and posibly even fictional!) ignited a very thorough discussion about Shostakovich and the role of the artist in society that I find fascinating.
My issue with the South Bank festival is that they have explored this territory before in the 90's. At the time the late Michael Vyner and Simon Rattle put together a ten year programme, where each year of the ninties they presented works from one decade of the twentieth century. I was lucky enough to see and hear many of those concerts while studying and working in London. I have particularly found memories of the London Sinfonietta concerts which were numerous introductions to composers I had passed up on the CD racks. I have my issues with Rattle as a conductor but in twentieth century works he is pretty solid.
The good thing about a festival such as 'The Rest is Noise' is that works outside the normal repetoire will get an airing.
Naupilus