Robert_Logan
Group: Members
Posts: 5
Joined: Jan. 2008 |
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Posted: April 22 2008, 05:42 |
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Quote (Bassman @ April 18 2008, 10:46) | Holger, I know EXACTLY what you mean. It ties in somewhat closely to something Tayniee was saying the other day. I'm not saying that you and her were of the same opinion, but for me, as enjoyable as it is, there is a lack of spontaneity about it-like it's TOO mannered. I don't mean too thought-out or too mundane. I'm not saying it right. Maybe the phrase "paint-by-numbers" would fit better. It's "safe" music. Maybe even "artificial"- that would certainly account for your "midi-ness" assessment.
I don't know. It's hard to express. Tayniee was saying it's too "adult"- not childlike enough. I take that to mean not risky enough. "Mike Oldfield Presents Nice, Polite Dinner Classics". That reads back as sounding quite harsh, but I don't intend it to.
Classical music can be edgy. One of my favorite pieces is Shostakovich's 11th Symphony. It's dark. And without occasional darkness, light means nothing. "Spheres" doesn't hold and edge for me. On the other hand, I don't want it to. I want it to be what it is.
This has been brought to you by pre-coffee incoherence. |
I agree with you. I like 'Music of the Spheres' a lot of the time, but mainly as pleasant backround music, to be honest, precisely because there is no darkness. I don't find it to be a particularly beautiful work because of that, either; like you said, beauty needs some darkness, some edge. My favorite composer at the moment is Vaughan Williams, and even his "easiest" pieces have more darkness and profound beauty in them than MOTS does. I really wanted to love this new MO album, but it's just far too safe for me, and it's not like he's incapable of doing something profound and beautiful: his first four albums (and sections of later works) offer a wonderful balance of discord, darkness, resolution and beauty.
All IMHO.
Also, I noticed the MIDI thing, too; it mainly seems to affect any section with fast running notes.
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