Modern Baroque????

[Jalapablo]

Yes, I agree the computer-generated sounds leave much to be desired. Unfortunately, this is the only option we have right now until we can get the stuff actually performed by living, breathing musicians. Like I mentioned already, finding ensembles willing to play modern baroque pieces is not easy. There's enough masterpieces by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Telemann and others to keep musicians busy until the end of time, and that without having to worry about copyright laws, paying royalties to the composer, et cetera.

Composing in a baroque style is simply the area where I feel most at home, and where I allow my most creative juices to flow. I enter my scores via a notation software on my computer and then assign a specific soundfont to each instrument (which, of course, is almost always substandard in comparison to a real musician playing) so, at least, listeners can get a basic idea of what the pieces would sound like (sort of) if perfomed live. I've generally received very positive feedback, but also my share of naysayers, discouragers and accusers of writing pastische. It just comes with the territory. I've also been rebuked by some neobaroque purists for not composing in a more "historically informed" style. But overall the vast response I receive is very positive and encouraging.

Fortunately, I am not a composer by trade, and all this really is just a hobby. I figure if I can afford folks a little pleasure in listening to a "new" baroque-inspired work, and further the enjoyment, propagation (and somewhat enrichment) of tonality in the 21st century, I've met my goal

Thank you, Bill, for visiting my Youtube channel. And for your gracious assessment of it. You honor me.

Paul

 

[wljmrbill]

you are quite welcome and keep up the good work with the method you us.. Makes sense to me.. Of course I use a Virtual organ through the computer my self.

 

[GoneBaroque]

thirdcreed thanks for your reply~can you suggest any contemporary composers writing in the baroque style?

You might like to try this. Just posted today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R2pDyok_cA


Also listen so some of his other compositions

Rob

 

[Corno Dolce]

at times I think some composers forget what music is and seem to go wandering down a path that only a very few wish to follow.

Recalll the "serial atonality" school that was all the rage just a few decades ago - I have listened and I then shook the dust off my sandals and walked away.............

 

[some guy]

LvB though[t] the music of Bruckner was terrible

Really? Bruckner was three when Beethoven died.

[A]t times I think some composers forget what music is and seem to go wandering down a path that only a very few wish to follow.

How I wish this opinion would go away. Far far away. Oh well, I don't suppose any composer of any sort is going to read this and suddenly start writing something else entirely. Anyway, so if a very few wish to follow some composers down a path and are genuinely enriched by the experience, then who cares whether they're "very few" or "very many"? Surely the number of people having the experience has no sort of relation to the quality of the experience. Or? I think perhaps some listeners forget that their ears are not the only ears in the room. I know Corno forgets this on a daily basis, hence the constant jibes at music his ears do not enjoy, as if it's all on the music, as if his ears are the only reliable gauge of what constitutes worthwhile music. Well, whatever helps you sleep at night....

 

[JHC]

Really? Bruckner was three when Beethoven died.

Oh sg its great to see you again I feared you had gone to greener pastures, quoting a post that is so old (3 feb) are you stalking me ?? however you are very astute and do know your dates I should have said J Brahms, I do not know what excuse to make I have used ‘Red Wine-My Age-my general ignorance of all things musical’ as excuses and can’t claim a typo so you have me nailed to the wall? (please be quick and kind)

How I wish this opinion would go away. Far far away. Oh well, I don't suppose any composer of any sort is going to read this and suddenly start writing something else entirely. Anyway, so if a very few wish to follow some composers down a path and are genuinely enriched by the experience, then who cares whether they're "very few" or "very many"? Surely the number of people having the experience has no sort of relation to the quality of the experience. Or? I think perhaps some listeners forget that their ears are not the only ears in the room. I know Corno forgets this on a daily basis, hence the constant jibes at music his ears do not enjoy, as if it's all on the music, as if his ears are the only reliable gauge of what constitutes worthwhile music. Well, whatever helps you sleep at night....

I will reply to the above comment a bit later as it is time for me to hit the sack, but it does appear that you may have had a glass or two from the remarks you make. Sleep well sg I still love you

 

[Corno Dolce]

Or? I think perhaps some listeners forget that their ears are not the only ears in the room. I know Corno forgets this

Well hello some guy - I was thinking about you the other day and that I hadn't seen much posting from your ever-querulous hand. I accept your admonishment in re to what i'm listening to and my acerbic comments about just that music. I don't claim to be an arbiter of what is to be the best music, likewise I'm sure that you do no such thing either. You and I probably have some of the most divergent opinions on music this side of Saturn and you might be surprised to hear me say that I truly respect your opinions on music.

Anyway, its great to see your comments again.

Sincerely,

CD :tiphat::tiphat::tiphat:

 

[some guy]

Hey Corno,

No, I don't hang out much at Magle, it's true. Mostly because of the dead-weight of anti-modern prejudice that simply refuses to budge. Couple that with the almost universal desire for music to stay safely in the past, pace this very thread!!, and there's very little incentive to hang out here.

As you so accurately put it, the rare posts I do make are almost always querulous. And that's much less fun for me than you might imagine.

So, mostly, I don't post. Or even visit the site.

But your last post here, I want to acknowledge. That was just about the most cheering post I've seen anywhere!! Thanks!!

--Michael

 

[JHC]

Hi Michael, having now read your comments in the last two posts there seem very little that I can say, for my own part I have really tried to get to grips with today’s classical music but find most of it an assault upon my tender Lug Holes, there is some that I like but an awful lot that I will probably never like, that is not to say it is crap just not to my taste or dare I say to the majority of classical music lovers, here in NZ there was a policy of including at least one short piece in every concert not having been to a concert for 12 mths I don’t know if that is still the case, new music is fighting an uphill battle in the classical world perhaps in 50 or a hundred years it will prove you right and us wrong. Have you thought about starting a thread with the purpose of bringing some of it to our attention say with short clips or links and explanations etc?? just a thought. Keep fighting the fight. Colin

 

[some guy]

That's a perpetual temptation, JHC, but think of the effort that would take! For one, I don't spend very much time on Youtube, and so would have to spend a lot of time finding things there. For two, Youtube is a terrible way to listen to music. The internet generally is a terrible place to get anything but a tiny taste of things. As you say, it's an uphill battle. I say that it's not because of the music, but because of ingrained attitudes. I don't think those attitudes can be changed by exposure to the music. (That was true back in the early 1800s, when those attitudes were just starting to get going, and perhaps even true in the early 1900s, after those attitudes had hit their peak in the 1870s--but now?) I don't think those attitudes can be changed by logic or argument, even, though that's a little more likely. An attitude, after all, is a mental construct, like logic and argument! I try as much as possible to point out that all the musics that sound so horrible to so many people are in fact possible to enjoy. And not only possible but easy to enjoy. I enjoy them and so do many other people. Maybe not "many" in the tens of thousands, but then contemporary classical composers aren't trying for the fame of a Lady Gaga or a Justin Bieber!! But enough of this ill-mannered derailing of this thread!! Back to the baroque and all its modern practitioners.

 

[Corno Dolce]

Michael,

You're very welcome. Prejudice? Maybe baby, maybe not........Another thread in which you probably read my "jibe" about "Serial Atonality" I'm sure it might have caused you to snort your recently swallowed morning coffee - Really, let me share a humble point - It is a challenge for the classical "tender-ears" to deal with the modern scene. Thats all what I can share on that point. Colin gave you a challenge - Maybe you can take up the challenge...

Cheers,

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

 

[JHC]

You can put some of your own recordings onto a host site and give a link to that, yes it would take time no way around that one. ah modern baroque now there's a thing :clap:

 

[QFE]

An interesting thread. There is a lot of Baroque-esque music out there that takes its inspiration from JSB and friends. The fugue in William Walton's first symphony is an interesting example. I think there is a lot of room for baroque immitation in TV/film score composition, but in terms of modern music it is a useful starting point or inspiration - Shostakovich for example. The trouble with contemporary music is that at its 'worst', it ignores the works of the past completely. The composers that ultimately last always take something from the past.

 

[Mat]

Here's a piece that comes from a 1991 movie Hudson Hawk. It was composed by an American composer Michael Kamen. Think it fits the bill?

 

[teddy]

Nice piece Mat I remember it from the film

teddy

 

[Corno Dolce]

The trouble with contemporary music is that at its 'worst', it ignores the works of the past completely. The composers that ultimately last always take something from the past.

WOW! QFE!!! Blam, Pow, Boom!!! Excellently and succinctly prescient statement. I so totally and heartily concur - There has to be some type of connection, and ABSOLUTELY SO!!!

 

[JHC]

In 50 years time to-day will be the past so which composers will be in favour then?? Never forget J S Bach.... that is a lesson to bear in mind

 

[some guy]

WOW! QFE!!! Blam, Pow, Boom!!! Excellently and succinctly prescient statement. I so totally and heartily concur - There has to be some type of connection, and ABSOLUTELY SO!!!

Why? Besides, why are we talking about contemporary music at its worst? What about at its best? Do we (who are "we"?) even know what is worst and what is best? No, sorry. Neither excellent nor prescient (prescient doesn't even make sense in this context). OK. I'm going to start a new thread. For JHC and for Corno. (And it will include an explanation of why there will be no sound bites from Michael's personal collection.)

 

[JHC]

Now you have my full attention and I look forward to it, well done

 

[Corno Dolce]

Dear Michael,

I witness a slightly "combative tone" in your writing, as if you'll try to win me over to the contemporary scene. You'll never cause me to feel indifferent about what you write. I can listen to contemporary music and accept it for what it is but I feel that it is disconnected from that which came before it. Messiaen at least stays connected with the historical timeline. Pity that you'll exclude samples from your personal collection, since it would be excellent evidence from which to prove your point. Let the "combat" commence........:trp::trp::trp::trp::trp: