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From: ong@eneevax.UUCP (Chong Ong)
Newsgroups: net.music,net.music.classical,net.audio
Subject: Re: Why classical music is not popular
Message-ID: <159@eneevax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 1-Sep-84 01:00:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: eneevax.159
Posted: Sat Sep  1 01:00:40 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 30-Aug-84 06:36:55 EDT
References: <659@flairvax.UUCP> <211@fisher.UUCP>, <192@olivej.UUCP> <1074@hou4b.UUCP>, <1122@psuvax1.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of Maryland, EE Dept.
Lines: 20

I do agree that modern 'classical' music requires a more educated listener to
appreciate it. In addition, that listener must also be interested in progress
in musical development. Some of my friends feel that the atonal quality of
Schoenberg and seemingly meaningless music of some 20th century composers is
a sign of decadence. I disagree. I consider it the courage and willpower to
explore the unconventional and develop new techniques -- and that is progress.
The real decadence lies in most forms of popular music that one hears over the
radio. Just listen to the songs in the Top 40 category. Or disco. Or any of
the in betweens. You can find so many similarities among all the songs, not
just in the lyrics, but also the tune, and musical arrangement as well. And
the audience likes it. So the songwriters continue to try to satisfy the
audience (after all, they have to earn their daily bread) and a vicious
circle is formed. Many have tried to break out of this circle, but few have
succeeded. And of those who have, they are rarely given publicity by the
industry and the prs. Hence, few people get to know their music. Browse
through the music stores. How many of them selle works of Kitaro, John
Cage, Phillip Glass and other contemporary composers, some of which I may
not even have heard of because of poor media coverage? Yet, when I get a
chance to listen to any of these new works, they are usually beautiful in a
very refreshing way.