COTW - Film muzac

[Serial_Apologist]

Well that is a matter of opinion.

And so is that.

Where does it get us?

[Stephen Whitaker]

J'accuse!
It is my belief that all the people expressing disdain for John Williams as COTW did not actually listen to the programmes,
nor for that matter have they sat in a cinema and viewed any of the films he has scored.

Any suggestion that the late John Barry wrote successful concertos with no film attached has passed me by.

[Flosshilde]

I listened to the first. & I saw the first Star Wars film when it was first shown in cinemas.

So your belief is completely wrong.

[doversoul1]

J'accuse!
It is my belief that all the people expressing disdain for John Williams as COTW did not actually listen to the programmes,
nor for that matter have they sat in a cinema and viewed any of the films he has scored.

Any suggestion that the late John Barry wrote successful concertos with no film attached has passed me by.

It’s not disdain for John Williams as a film composer that I am expressing. I am objecting to the fact that Radio3 is spending its air time and resource on this composer because he is a composer of all recent Hollywood blockbuster films, as the trailer made sure to let us know. This is not the subject to which Radio3 should be giving priority.

[Stephen Whitaker]

Objections to a composer of (all?) recent Hollywood blockbuster films, equates to disdain in my book
and your belief that this is not the subject to which Radio3 should be giving priority is equally disdainful.

I notice that you have not rebutted my initial accusation.

[Stephen Whitaker]

I listened to the first. & I saw the first Star Wars film when it was first shown in cinemas.

So your belief is completely wrong.

Not completely wrong if you can only offer such minimal evidence upon which to base your judgements.

[doversoul1]

Objections to a composer of (all?) recent Hollywood blockbuster films, equates to disdain in my book
and your belief that this is not the subject to which Radio3 should be giving priority is equally disdainful.

I notice that you have not rebutted my initial accusation.

I won’t repeat myself. Please see #97.

[Mr Pee]

I listened to the first. & I saw the first Star Wars film when it was first shown in cinemas.

So your belief is completely wrong.

Listened to one....and seen one film scored by JW, 35 years ago.

I am humbled by your vast experience.

[Stephen Whitaker]

"The question we are asking is ‘is Composer of the Week’ the right place for it?’"

The answer from those of us who listened without prejudice is, yes.

You, it appears, didn't listen at all.

[Serial_Apologist]

The unnecessary bitchiness erupting on threads such as this one sadly recalls the old R3 board.

[Stephen Whitaker]

If a thread starts with the bitchy and not so very rhetorical question,
"why has R3 descended to this banality ?"
then the tone of discourse has been set.

[Flosshilde]

Not completely wrong if you can only offer such minimal evidence upon which to base your judgements.

Perhaps you should re-phrase your 'accusation' then.


Not that I would think it worth taking much notice of even if you did.

[Mr Pee]

If a thread starts with the bitchy and not so very rhetorical question,
"why has R3 descended to this banality ?"
then the tone of discourse has been set.

And the use of the word "Muzak" in the thread title doesn't help either. Condescending and unworthy of a composer of JW's talent.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Please can we cool it?

All musical appreciation is a matter of taste, and everyone here has a right to express it. Maybe the inclusion of the word "muzak" was slightly provocative, but it's hardly bitchy, so please could we avoid such attacks on fellow forum members, because they can come across as personal, even when that was not the intention.

Muzac is background music that it not intended to listened to, composed to be unobtrusive with no "bumps". Most film music does not fall into that category; otherwise the soundtrack albums would not be sold separately. It's just incidental music, like Grieg's Peer Gynt.

[teamsaint]

I'm late to this thread so several people have made many of my points for me. It's sad to see the closed shop mentality of some on these boards. "We can't admit film music into the holy shrine."

The most common misconception is that the music is mere background atmospherics. Herrmann's music in Psycho has already been mentioned and is a good example of how music can add an extra dimension to the film. A bit of history: Hitchcock originally felt the film should be cut and presented as part of his long-running show on TV. Seeing the film with Herrmann's music caused him to change his mind. For instance, Hitchcock originally wanted the shower scene with no music. Herrmann had the scene played for Hitchcock both with his music and without. Hitch said, "Of course we must use it!" "But, Hitch you said there should be no music.... " Herrmann interjected, to which Hitch replied, "Improper suggestion, dear boy, improper suggestion!"

On a personal note, John Williams's music for "Star Wars" (Now I am revealing my age!) was my introduction to the symphony orchestra and therefore a gateway for me to "Classical" music for which I am eternally grateful.

Those entry points, keys to the door, or whateve,r are really important, unpredictable, and very precious to us individually.
My entry point to Shostakovich was the Howard Goodall Programme. I am grateful to the programme and its maker, but in the end , I would probably have discovered DSCH some other way. But the point you make is important.