20th Century music

[Quijote]

Which also explains my distaste for "solo" recitals. Apart from the Goldberg and Diabelli. But even there, another "listening attitude" comes into play. I think it has to do with "timbral variation", but I'm not sure. Comments?

[Quijote]

Well, to be honest, I'm fairly sure, but I wouldn't mind a debate about it.

[Bonn1827]

I'm not sure what you mean by the acoustic comments. I adore single instrument recitals - mainly piano, it has to be said. Also, organ (ex Nostre Dame) and I enjoyed a lot of these in churches around Europe last year.

[UB1]

And Varese's output fits neatly on 2 CDs (Chailly/Concertgebouw on Decca e.g.) whereas Webern's still takes 5 or 6 (Boulez on DGG e.g.).
I prefer Webern slightly to Varèse - because of the silence of the former's music. But Varèse is in terms of orchestral sonoroties not just, but far superior to Webern IMO, and -for that matter- to nearly all 20th C composers. Messiaen comes near.

As much as I have enjoyed Varese's music in the past, none of it has stuck with me over the years.

OTOH for me Webern's op. 5, Five movements for string quartet, is the finest 10 minute work written in the 20th century. Although I have no musical talent, I do not believe there is a wasted note in the work and yet it hold for me both great beauty and power.

[Bonn1827]

How I wish I could get my head around modern art music like UB1. I just can't seem to get the traction with it. Years ago at university I remember befriending a lecturer who was a modern composer - his music was premiered in Australia at a "new music festival". I couldn't get my head around the music but, my God, the man was so interesting to talk to. We spent 4 hours in each other's company and he said, "Oh, I'm sorry; I've just realised that all I've talked about is music". I said, "you've got to be kidding! I'm not interested in anything else!" It was a memorable evening for a mother of four from the back blocks.

[Bonn1827]

The composer in question, as mentioned above, is one Chris Dench and I notice he has written about himself on Google and is still producing work.

[UB1]

How I wish I could get my head around modern art music like UB1. I just can't seem to get the traction with it. Years ago at university I remember befriending a lecturer who was a modern composer - his music was premiered in Australia at a "new music festival". I couldn't get my head around the music but, my God, the man was so interesting to talk to. We spent 4 hours in each other's company and he said, "Oh, I'm sorry; I've just realised that all I've talked about is music". I said, "you've got to be kidding! I'm not interested in anything else!" It was a memorable evening for a mother of four from the back blocks.

Most of the composers I mentioned in that first post produced basically tonal (what ever that means) music. Much of it is a short step or less from Stravinsky or Bartok. One of the things about music of the last 60 years or so is that there so many different styles were being used that it is possible to find some composers that you can enjoy. Of course there is also a lot of music that you probably will not 'get your head around' - at least that is true for me - but that is OK also.

I am certainly glad that there is such a diversity of styles and tastes because if everyone liked and every composer wrote the same music, it would be a very boring musical world.