tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post819747413650949262..comments2024-03-29T07:38:17.008-05:00Comments on The Music Salon: Electrify Me!Bryan Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-12958287518628886652013-07-18T09:53:07.956-05:002013-07-18T09:53:07.956-05:00Hi Rickard,
Moment form was invented by Stockhaus...Hi Rickard,<br /><br />Moment form was invented by Stockhausen in the 1950s. Essentially, you compose a bunch of fragments which are then performed in a random order. I modified this by structuring them in a particular order with a flow-chart and then having the conductor create a structure. The piece is different every time it is performed. I think that the best way to think of a piece like this is as an experiment--one that I chose not to repeat!Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-78073566869108816512013-07-18T05:21:34.698-05:002013-07-18T05:21:34.698-05:00First time I hear about moment form. Well, it'...First time I hear about moment form. Well, it's pretty interesting at times but it does sound pretty random sometimes. The ensemble probably did a good or great job but the structure of the piece could be improved (but I suppose you want to keep the moment form). But on the other hand it might sound much better live or in a more specific context like in a movie or video game.Rickardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08084578675339015204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-2400053472021082292013-07-17T06:32:40.625-05:002013-07-17T06:32:40.625-05:00Do I dare ask if there are any comments on my piec...Do I dare ask if there are any comments on my piece for guitar orchestra?Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-18923135112014777232013-07-17T06:31:43.341-05:002013-07-17T06:31:43.341-05:00I think I might argue that Steve Reich makes very ...I think I might argue that Steve Reich makes very little concession to the electric guitar. This piece is also performed quite successfully on classical guitar. Like Bach's, the music is rather independent of the instrument.<br /><br />I have a very high opinion of Steve Reich and have had since I heard his piece Drumming in the late 70s.<br /><br />I have to confess that I also did some skipping in the Glenn Branca piece. In the movement I posted, there is virtually nothing going on until the 11 minute mark. It is astonishing how feebly written this is. There is less of musical interest going on here than in one phrase of a piece by Haydn!Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-1661572928456159652013-07-17T04:18:02.412-05:002013-07-17T04:18:02.412-05:00To be honest I didn't listen through the first...To be honest I didn't listen through the first two pieces (or at least videos you've linked). Simply put they sounded pretty bad. I've decided to listen through them both now and also Steve Reich's Electric Counterpoint (which I think I've heard before but forgot how it went). As for referring to them as classical music: I relied on the article. But you're right, the first two don't sound like classical music except possibly maybe a little minimalistic. You're right, at least in the first one there is really nothing interesting going on, especially considering this is supposed to be a symphony. It's pretty much the same dense almost unlistenable texture all the time with very few constasts, no themes etc. Steve Reich's piece is far more interesting and enjoyable to listen to.Rickardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08084578675339015204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-80491215984264740362013-07-16T20:09:16.457-05:002013-07-16T20:09:16.457-05:00I would say that Steve Reich's piece makes the...I would say that Steve Reich's piece makes the best use of the electric guitar - then again, from the way he writes his music, I think that you could arrange it for different instruments and it could still sound well. Just wondering, Bryan, what is your opinion of Steve Reich?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-35766380162824894252013-07-14T12:46:13.005-05:002013-07-14T12:46:13.005-05:00I suspect the mere idea of a piece for 100 or 200 ...I suspect the mere idea of a piece for 100 or 200 electric guitars is so compelling for some folks that that is almost enough. But yes, one Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster through 12 Marshall cabinets is really all you need! Good point about distributing them in the hall. I don't think this was done in either of the first two pieces, though.<br /><br />Are the first two pieces actually "classical" music? Well, they certainly aren't "popular".<br /><br />What did you think of the piece for multiple guitars by Steve Reich?<br /><br />Bryan Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482696991279345516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8827040061563065922.post-16708198270269714192013-07-14T12:02:33.830-05:002013-07-14T12:02:33.830-05:00I agree with you. The pieces where there are many ...I agree with you. The pieces where there are many electric guitars are just annoying. Electric guitars are after all amplified and in reality there is probably only one needed to play a musical line unlike the non-electric instruments like violin, viola, cello etc. that most often are amplified by having more players playing the same line. Ofc, several electric guitars are needed to play several different lines, if it's duets, trios, quartets etc. But on the other hand if several electric guitars are placed in quite different places in a concert hall, but playing the same thing, it can create a nice acoustic effect. <br />I also agree that it's strange that all the pieces are considered equally good or bad. What's even stranger is that it's about classical music and not pop music (where it's more likely that bad music would be praised or considered good when in reality it's bad).Rickardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08084578675339015204noreply@blogger.com