I saw a thread in 8notes.com recently regarding how music is 'so much not' emotional during Baroque peroid, whereby composers had only, and therefore wrote only tunes. And these tunes are not intense or emotional unlike Romantic works. Well, I think it's a Really Wrong viewpoint. What do u think? This's an interesting thread.
I think Baroque music is often alot more emotional than Romantic pieces, but it`s actually of a different `package`. They`re emotions within a tightly integrated structure, so they feel more contained but at the same time more intense. This intensity, unlike Romantic pieces, will not accumulate to a bubbling point and escalated outburst. But becaz of the restrained notes contour, it tends to `speak` more to the oblivious listener, and is more intimate. And much of the music in the slower movements are just `heavenly`. Take for instance : Vivaldi`s Concerto in A minor, 2nd movement. The melody anchors and moves freely around the tonic, supertonic and mediant throughout.
And, not forgetting Bach's 2nd movement ( Double Concerto ). The staggered entrance and interaction between the different instruments is beautiful. In fact, the interaction is so 'real' that one hears them as voices, not just instrumental parts.
And I think there's a whole deal of wistfulness in the Vivaldi's Four Seasons. For instance the slower 'snowflakes' movement.
And talking about 'impressionism' in its earliest form. Don't u think that the plucked notes potray the snowflakes and the semiquavers( in the faster section ) potray the rustling wind really well?
Actually, alot of sentimental music that speaks to the listener( even in Romantic period ) tends to be rather restrained in notes contour. It will linger around the main theme ( normally constructed upon steps or simple outlines ), which can be quite mallismatic at times...much to the likes of a human speaker.
So I think people needs to get this right... Music need not be colourful and decorative to be meaningful... Just like u need not shout to make yr point. Right?
U know, I always feel that there's something that Romantic music cannot offer- The beauty of simplicity just like Baroque music. If u think abt. all the music that move/speak to u the most... Romantic or not... I believe then that your 'special' piece is quite spaced and simple in structure.
Talking about atmospheric music... The most atmospheric music for me is Rach`s Prelude in C# minor. I love the music from lord of the rings also, esp. Billy Bloyd`s part ( very Gregorian sounding ). I think Mussorgsky is quite atmospheric for me also...esp. his `evil` music in his Pictures at an exhibition... Very dark and twisted music. But my ultimate fav. has got to be Vaughan`s Williams`s Song Cycle ` On wenlock Edge`. The modal and Mallismatic treatment in folklore structure is really intriguing.
I think Baroque music is often alot more emotional than Romantic pieces, but it`s actually of a different `package`. They`re emotions within a tightly integrated structure, so they feel more contained but at the same time more intense. This intensity, unlike Romantic pieces, will not accumulate to a bubbling point and escalated outburst. But becaz of the restrained notes contour, it tends to `speak` more to the oblivious listener, and is more intimate. And much of the music in the slower movements are just `heavenly`. Take for instance : Vivaldi`s Concerto in A minor, 2nd movement. The melody anchors and moves freely around the tonic, supertonic and mediant throughout.
And, not forgetting Bach's 2nd movement ( Double Concerto ). The staggered entrance and interaction between the different instruments is beautiful. In fact, the interaction is so 'real' that one hears them as voices, not just instrumental parts.
And I think there's a whole deal of wistfulness in the Vivaldi's Four Seasons. For instance the slower 'snowflakes' movement.
And talking about 'impressionism' in its earliest form. Don't u think that the plucked notes potray the snowflakes and the semiquavers( in the faster section ) potray the rustling wind really well? Actually, alot of sentimental music that speaks to the listener( even in Romantic period ) tends to be rather restrained in notes contour. It will linger around the main theme ( normally constructed upon steps or simple outlines ), which can be quite mallismatic at times...much to the likes of a human speaker.
So I think people needs to get this right... Music need not be colourful and decorative to be meaningful... Just like u need not shout to make yr point. Right?
U know, I always feel that there's something that Romantic music cannot offer- The beauty of simplicity just like Baroque music. If u think abt. all the music that move/speak to u the most... Romantic or not... I believe then that your 'special' piece is quite spaced and simple in structure.
Talking about atmospheric music... The most atmospheric music for me is Rach`s Prelude in C# minor. I love the music from lord of the rings also, esp. Billy Bloyd`s part ( very Gregorian sounding ). I think Mussorgsky is quite atmospheric for me also...esp. his `evil` music in his Pictures at an exhibition... Very dark and twisted music. But my ultimate fav. has got to be Vaughan`s Williams`s Song Cycle ` On wenlock Edge`. The modal and Mallismatic treatment in folklore structure is really intriguing.
