One of the greatest composers who ever lived, Bach was the musical culmination of the Baroque Era. Astounding as it may seem, he was not famous for his musical compositions during his lifetime. Like Cesar Franck he was considered only a church organist, and it wasn't until a hundred-years after his death that the world began to realize what Bach really was. His sons had achieved a greater fame than the master.Fantasie & Fugue in A Minor
I started organ lessons when I was six and switched to playing guitar at about 16 I guess. It was a lot cooler. I was nowhere near capable of playing any of the complicated J.S. Bach works. My dad had a complete vinyl collection that I listened to a lot. I do have a friend in England that plays classical pipe though.. and has played some of the most prestigious cathedrals in the UK. The skill is unreal.
I nearly picked the Toccata & Fugue in D minor, which is by far his most popular composition. I thought something different would be better... but if you haven't heard it in it's entirety, you owe it to yourself.
I'm curious about the definition of a musical genius though. Would anyone from the 20th century, and onward, qualify? Clearly there are popular performers, but are any of them going to be listened to in 400 years?
4 comments:
I think it's tough to think of modern music in terms of listening in 400 years because a lot of todays music, and music in the 20th century, is very generational.
Music now is less inspires by universal themes and temporal classics as it is inspired by events of the era. You also take into account that vocals wern't a part of most "classical" music. Vocals introduce a very variable effect that may have a very positive or very negative effect on the listener. I know we all have people we don't like listening to regardless of how the song sounds because you just don't like the way the person sings. You don't have that extra decision modal in classical music.
So, I guess why I'm saying is that it will depend on whether or not the generational themes and values end up repeating themselves (PLZ NO 80s! NO BIG HAIR AND LEATHER PANTS! I CANT TAKE IT!)as that seems to be the basis for most of our music.
Uh.. vocals were a huge part of classical music. Where do you think opera came from? Then there are all forms of chants and choir music. In fact, the vast majority was vocal driven.
Radio damaged music, forcing changes to song lengths to 3 and a half minutes, and introducing verse/chorus structures. That's a big reason why I like black metal.. long, non-repetitive, complex songs.
There are a number of performers that I would call "genius" at the performance of music (I saw 3 last week), but I'm not sure there is any in song writing itself. Maybe John Lennon and Paul McCartney..
Most classical music, however, isn't ment for Operatic solos. Most of Bachs mucis, being religous in origin, is meant for group harmony and chanting, something very different from the song writing of today.
As far as todays genius goes, I don't think any modern artists compare to the technical and compositional genius exhibited by those like Bach and Motzart.
I also don't know that radio damages music. I like a lot of music on the radio. I guess something can't be "damaged" it it's a matter of personal taste.
Damaged in the sense that it removes the "music" basis of the composition. I'm sure the majority of musicians in rock bands today can't even read music. It's not necessary to understand it. You just have to make the right sound.
I'm not saying modern music is bad. A lot of it is really terrific, but pleasing to the ear and genius are very different things.
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