From Mark Kolmar Sent Thu, Jun 4th 1998, 22:59
From Mark Kolmar Sent Thu, Jun 4th 1998, 22:59
On Wed, 3 Jun 1998, Brother Alphabet wrote:
> I listened to the track a number of times. I didn't get that impression at
> all.
A bit of historical perspective: Program music came about as a way to
help give structure to music, as tonality was beginning to bend. The
program (cf. Strauss, some Mahler, etc.) would offer some explanation of
the supposed subject matter, or conceptual framework anyway. Mahler, for
one, kept the programs mainly in his notebooks or private correspondence.
He felt that the music (and sometimes lyrics) should be able to express or
convey what was necessary.
I am very suspicious of composers who are trying to communicate something
very specific in their music. If the idea could be adequately described
in words, then perhaps the music is not necessary. Conversely, if the
music can communicate a specific idea effectively, then the explanation in
words is beside the point. Furthermore, if a composer attempts to
communicate some specific idea or impression which cannot be expressed
adequately in another way, it is impossible to know whether the
communication was successful or effective.
Interpretation on a technical, formal level is more useful I think, but
for different reasons. And probably more interesting to other composers.
Anyway, that's another subject.
--Mark
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