Originally posted by Andrew Preview
View Post
How do you convert a Mozart sceptic?
Collapse
X
-
-
-
Originally posted by Flosshilde View PostOr indeed what is an over-reaction.
Any praise for something one doesn't agree with, or enjoy, is excessive, of course. Just as opposition to or criticism of something that one approves of is an over-reaction.It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Flosshilde View Post... some of the operas are wonderful - terrific music & searching explorations of the human condition (but I think his libretist might have helped there).
Of course any opera composer requires a fine librettist. But da Ponte's contribution to the operas does not detract from Mozart's; rather, it inspired Mozart to even greater heights.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Flosshilde View Post& the Exsultate Jubilate is a 'fun' piece.
Emily Anderson's translation of a reference in one of Mozart's letters tries to catch the style of the original:
"I for have the primo a uomo [Rauzzini] motet compose which to tomorrow at Church the Theatine perform be will."It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Flosshilde View Post... From the start, with his father touring him round Europe, & continued by the Salzburg tourist board a Mozart myth has been built up that he is unique among composers.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Arcades Project View PostPersuading someone who is left cold by certain music - it depends; if they are keen to get some idea of what other people hear in the music, I think all you can do (with a nice circularity) is play them some of the music. Whether the below from YouTube would do the trick I don't know, but it's an excuse to share some (IMO) wonderful Mozart playing. I find it strange that someone could remain unmoved by this, but then there are people who have the oddest ideas about ... oh contemporary music or improv. I hope my fellow Mozart admirers enjoy this as much as I do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nqtVQGWQBQ
elegance
contrasting themes
calm development
relatively restrained dynamics
restrained key and harmonic variety
interchange between soloists and instrumental groups
steady tempo
It may be that a listener wants more or different things. Mozart can offer more, in different pieces, but generally will not provide extremes of loudness, extremes of tempo, wildness or some other qualities. Mozart can do chromaticism, and even 12 note music - the last movement of one of the symphonies uses all 12 notes - but generally his music does not wander tonally like Mahler, Strauss, Wagner, nor is it atonal, or aleatoric. A listener who wants those characteristics should listen elsewhere.
Comment
-
-
Oh, dear - and I got up early to get on with some work :-) - but thank you for posting that.
[Referring to the Mozart PC vid.]It isn't given us to know those rare moments when people are wide open and the lightest touch can wither or heal. A moment too late and we can never reach them any more in this world.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Dave2002 View PostIt may be that a listener wants more or different things. Mozart can offer more, in different pieces, but generally will not provide extremes of loudness, extremes of tempo, wildness or some other qualities. Mozart can do chromaticism, and even 12 note music - the last movement of one of the symphonies uses all 12 notes - but generally his music does not wander tonally like Mahler, Strauss, Wagner, nor is it atonal, or aleatoric. A listener who wants those characteristics should listen elsewhere.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by cloughie View PostNo but not many composers did in the late eighteenth century, I would argue that he was a key element in the evolution towards these things. Whilst his operas may not be seen as a blueprint for Salome or Elektra there is possibly a link through to Rosenkavalier.
One thing which I think has changed is the way words and music relate - or not. Some early music is really quite monotonous - with music presumably intended to accompany words - which themselves tell a story. Thus one might have a 5, 10 or even 20 verse song, with each verse being musically more or less identical to the last, but the words and the story are interesting. Sometimes they are like long shaggy dog stories, with a final denouement. I think we lose the appreciation of this, and often we don't understand the words anyway because of language issues. Listening traditions were different centuries ago - there were no films, TV etc. to watch.
Modern day pop music doesn't usually do this either, because it's so compressed - amongst other reasons.
In the 20th Century there were still some listening and performing traditions which have perhaps now largely vanished from our culture. How many people would go out in an evening to sing "On Ilkely moor baht'at"? nowadays?
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Dave2002 View PostIn the 20th Century there were still some listening and performing traditions which have perhaps now largely vanished from our culture. How many people would go out in an evening to sing "On Ilkely moor baht'at"? nowadays?
Comment
-
-
Arcades Project
Originally posted by Dave2002 View PostIt may be that a listener wants more or different things.
Comment
Comment