I wonder what the classic composers would do?

[methodistgirl]

I wonder what these classic composers like Bach,Beethoven, and
Mozart could accomplish if they lived in this day and time? They
didn't have the musical instruments that we do today. They didn't
have the aid of a computer or a sympathizer. All they had back then
were just the basic instruments like the harpsachord, piano, and the
old fashioned pump organ. I wonder what even Toccata & Fugue
would sound written with one of these new instruments. Let me
know by giving me some ideas.
judy tooley

 

[Art Rock]

They would probably be writing movie scores...

 

[12Alex]

I think they would compose the same masterpieses but in modern way. They are geniuses - so they could reach the popularity in this day and time.

 

[marval]

Hi Judy

I wonder because the music is different today whether they would write more modern music. Art Rock could be right, just imagine films scores by Mozart, Beethoven or Brahms.

I for one am glad they were around when they were, otherwise what sort of classical music would we have?

Margaret

 

[Corno Dolce]

Ms. Judy,

Until electric blowers were installed on organs, a person or several people would "pump" air into the reservoirs by means of bellows. Yes, there were "pump organs" operated by the organists. In France, they were called "Harmoniums". A pipe organ is really a "synthesizer". With the exception of the Principal, Diapason, Montre, Mixtures, and Mutations, all the other stops are an organbuilders approximation of a musical instrument.

Cheers,

CD :tiphat::tiphat::tiphat::tiphat:

 

[Contratrombone64]

I like the term sympathizer ... it made me giggle.

 

[methodistgirl]

I believe this. If Beethoven were alive today they could do something
to help him get his hearing back somehow. What he had was something
some people get where the jawbone agrevates the nerves and causes
some people to loose their hearing. Back there wasn't enough medical
science to do that. Now there is and He would be able then to hear
his 9th symphony not take peoples word for it.
judy tooley

 

[marval]

Hi Judy

I never thought of that, I wonder what Beethoven would think if he could actually hear his music?


Margaret

 

[Krummhorn]

Before Beethoven went completely deaf, he devised a wooden stick that he would place on the piano soundboard, placing the opposite end in his mouth, and clench his teeth around it. The vibrations going into his jawbone, helped him get a better "feel" for his music.

 

[Contratrombone64]

Beethoven went deaf a lot later than has been thought fact. According to van Imerseel's wonderful sleeve notes on his new Beethoven symphony cycle. His views are backed up by quotes from Carl Czerny (Beethoven's star student). Czerny ascerts that Beethoven only lost his hearing AFTER commencing to compose the 9th symphony and prior to that, he had a keen ear. Beethoven (also according to Czerny) would let a wrong note slip by, as it was only human nature to make mistakes, but would rant and rave if a player missed the point of a piece and gave a bad interpretation.

 

[jhnbrbr]

Judy, this is a most interesting topic, which I have often thought about. For example, if J.S.Bach was miraculously brought back to life today, would we still find him at the organ console, or would he be using computers to create music? Another thing that fascinates me is that it probably never occurred to the old composers that there would one day be a means for recording and replaying sound. Presumably they would be delighted to know that people today are happy to listen to their music repeatedly, perhaps thousands of times over, not just a handful of times as they imagined.

 

[marval]

If any of them were brought back to life, would they be able to claim royalties? They would be very rich if they could.


Margaret

 

[Corno Dolce]

JSBach would probably be the richest man on earth.

 

[marval]

I agree CD, but well earned I think.


Margaret

 

[sunwaiter]

when you see who are the richest "artists" on earth, you can wonder if mister jean sebastien would have made it, really. even if he had a great sense for business.

 

[methodistgirl]

I never thought of that. And Mozart's stradivaris would still be played
under his chin instead of being at a museum.
judy tooley

 

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha sunwaiter,

Mister JSBach was earning royalties on his music way before any of the rock, pop, and other middle-of-the-20th-century songwriters/performers were even a gleam in their daddies eyes.

Cheers,

CD