The atonal century: In 1908Arnold Schoenberg reinvented classical music. What comes next?

National Post ^ | January 14, 2008 | John Keillor

[bboop]

hahah, Age of Reason, you are probably right.

“Let us return to the past, and what progress there will be!” could not be applied to a better subject than today’s music. The existential, life-makes-no-sense, all-is-random tripe that is being ‘written’ today is just terrible. Music historians will look back and say, “They were such a mess, and their music illustrates this.”

[bboop]

oooh, where do I sign up for the ‘clueless’ club? Let me be the first.

Moral condescension, such an interesting way to ‘win’ an argument.

[Borges]

So naturally the piece you heard represents all atonal music. Or even music with atonal episodes (Chopin, Liszt...)/sarc. Ever listen to the BErg Violin Concerto...it's atonal and beautiful.

[Borges]

You must admit though that I was right about the attitudes that still prevail.

[ZChief]

I have never been a student of music, just a consumer. I can’t say I have listened to enough atonal “music” to give it a fair shot because I tend to turn it off as I soon as it comes on. I can only wonder about those who have an ear for this stuff (do you wear a baseball cap sideways and expose your underwear above drooping baggy pants?) I would guess that atonal episodes are usually endured because relief is expected to follow. When it’s all “episode” and no music, off it goes!

[Borges]

Are you talking about contemporary Rap or early 20th century German Expressionism? Schoenberg’s music, as has been mentioned earlier, is extremely German and not nearly as revolutionary as it was thought to be at the time.

[ZChief]

Tomaytoes, tomahtoes ;-)

[Age of Reason]

Funny thing about the arts: when people get tired of good art, they turn to bad art as something refreshing.

And yet, when tired of eating good food, these same people do not turn to rancid food as something refreshing.

(I remember a quote regarding modern architecture that I read in the book, “The Myth of Progress,” which I think you’ll enjoy reading; I’ll have to dig it out for you when I’ve more time.)

[Age of Reason]

Do you object to the atonality in Bach as well? It’s certainly there.

Then maybe it's not atonality that's the problem.

Maybe it's how much talent the composer has.

[Borges]

Well that applies to all music. Schooenberg was prodigiously talented.

[bboop]

In a smarmy sort of way ...

[aristotleman]

Sounds like you have undeveloped inner ears. Sorry for your loss, you will never know the clarity of listening with the ability to comprehend complexity.

[aristotleman]

So atonal music is bad art? Thanks, expert.

[ZChief]

Thank you for your kind expression of sympathy. I can imagine your joy as the cacophany swells. I trust that I, as a philistine, will survive the deprivation.

Regarding my undeveloped inner ears, do you think that’s why I turn off rap and headbanger music too? Is there hope?

Thanks for the amusement! It’s been good fun trying to take you folk seriously.

p.s. the king still has no clothes

[aristotleman]

You have no idea what you are talking about. Or what your senses are depriving you of. Just like discussing history and politics meaningfully requires some knowledge, so does music. Only liberals judge things based on how they “feel” about them.

[ZChief]

“You have no idea what you are talking about. Or what your senses are depriving you of. Just like discussing history and politics meaningfully requires some knowledge, so does music. Only liberals judge things based on how they “feel” about them.”

Wow! It must be some great loss not knowing how to appreciate atonal music. And to think if I only possessed your knowledge I wouldn’t get headaches as the “art” is practiced. Tell me, are all who reject atonal music, not possessing your learned judgement, to be equated with liberals, operating only on feelings? Why must I invest my limited time in studying all arts in order to appreciate (or unappreciate) them? Do you own headbanger or rap CD’s? If not, are you deep in their study? If atonal music was performed backwards would you know the difference? Do you really believe CD sales for atonal music would rise significantly with sufficient study? My gut “feeling” or, maybe, “common sense” would wager otherwise. I can just picture music majors saying “Oh, goody, we get to play atonal!” Tell you what, I’ll chat with a music major acquaintance and see if he can enlighten me any. Until then, hold my place in the ticket line for the next concert.

p.s. I gave up my liberalism in 1976.

[aristotleman]

Yes, everybody who only listens to music with their feelings, are equal to liberals. Can’t help you. You either get it or you don’t. Not just atonal music, any music can be understood.