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From: ckk@cmu-cs-g.ARPA (Chris Koenigsberg)
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: Some (serious) discussion topics
Message-ID: <239@cmu-cs-g.ARPA>
Date: Sun, 17-Feb-85 11:56:33 EST
Article-I.D.: cmu-cs-g.239
Posted: Sun Feb 17 11:56:33 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 20-Feb-85 09:23:47 EST
References: <335@gargoyle.UChicago.UUCP>
Organization: Carnegie-Mellon University, CS/RI
Lines: 73

>I.  What are the all-time great recordings?  This makes more sense than
>asking what single recording you would take to a desert island.

I tend to listen to more music than just the classical category,
and I'm fairly new to the old traditions (Beethoven is "new music"
to me while the Mahavishnu Orchestra is an "ancient classic"
 from my childhood), so I'd rather listen to what other people 
list here rather than give my own uneducated opinions. I do like
 "HPSCHD" by Cage and Hiller, as well as Charles Wuorinen's
 "Time's Encomium" and Morton Subotnick's "The Wild Bull"
 (all electronic recordings). Some of Karlheinz Stockhausen's
recordings (Stimmung, Sternklang, Zyklus) also give me the chills
 and inspiration too.

>
>II.  What musical masterpieces are underappreciated or underperformed, in
>your opinion?  Of course, we can start by listing whole categories, such as
>chamber music, Renaissance music, contemporary music, and contemporary
>Renaissance music, but I am more interested in individual works or composers.

My number one hero is turning out to be Stockhausen. Doesn't perform often,
doesn't travel to the US much either.
I have enjoyed immensely works by David Stock, a Pittsburgh composer
who also conducts the Pgh. New Music Ensemble. He has albums on the
Grenadilla and CRI labels. Another favorite is John Harbison, who
was composer-in-residence with the Pgh. Symphony last year.
There's a good CRI album with both Stock and Harbison on
opposing sides.
Alban Berg is a phenomenally exciting composer whose work is
widely ignored. The Pgh. Symphony just did his "Three Pieces
for Orchestra" and all the old ladies were complaining in the lobby
at intermission. I loved it though. You might notice that I
favor contemporary composers.

Again, though, my fave raves drive others from the room screaming.
Recently I had a wonderful Japanese recording of a woman wailing
on the stereo at a party, and someone offered the host $2
to take the music OFF! (they were collecting beer money at the time)
>
>III.  Careers in music:  Am I the only person on the net who is currently
>studying for a career in music?  (I'm a pianist.)  Are there professional
>musicians on the net?  Is anyone considering a musical career?  Has anyone
>tried it and given it up?  Am I the only one who thinks I'm crazy?  

I started playing classical guitar at age five. I played electric
bass for five years with a rock band and I'm studying double
bass with a member of the Pgh. Symphony bass section now. Hopefully,
I can eventually reach some sort of stability between software
hacking, producing works in the cmu computer music studio,
playing bass in a local orchestra, and also playing in a
contemporary ensemble. I expect to support myself with my
computing skills, and spend my money on my music. I like
to play stuff that most people hate, so I can't expect to
make a career as a professional musician.

For fun I play with the Morphic Resonance Trio, including
a bassoon, saxophone, and acoustic bass. We improvise
squeaky noises, sounding like a mass escape from the zoo,
and we even have a percussion instrument called the Kitchen
Orchestra. Any other avant garde groups want to exchange
performances with us?

I think you're crazy too but I like crazy people the best and include
myself in that category!

          Chris Koenigsberg
          tektronix!hplabs!hao!seismo!rochester!cmu-cs-pt!cmu-cs-g!ckk
          ckk@cmu-cs-g.arpa
1025 MurrayHill Ave.
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15217
(412)362-6422
"The creative person looks upon everything in the world as a predator"
                    -Pierre Boulez