NancyLebovitz comments on Is masochism necessary? - Less Wrong

8 Post author: PhilGoetz 10 April 2009 11:48PM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (143)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: komponisto 22 March 2011 04:00:37PM 1 point [-]

I'm interested in why there isn't a parallel track of new music for orchestral instruments which is written for the general public

There is. In fact most new orchestral music falls into this category. (The advanced stuff is difficult to perform and is generally only done by elite orchestras.) It just doesn't have the same prestige as the old classics or the new advanced stuff.

Comment author: NancyLebovitz 22 March 2011 06:49:42PM 0 points [-]

Recommend some pieces and/or composers?

Is it possible that it has less prestige because it just isn't as likable for most people as the many sorts of competing music?

Comment author: komponisto 23 March 2011 12:15:09AM -1 points [-]

Recommend some pieces and/or composers?

Not particularly. :-)

But seriously, if you go to a concert by your local orchestra, there will often be a premiere of a new piece by some local composer which will sound like band music written for orchestra. (Unless your local orchestra is the New York Philharmonic or something. But even then, most new music will tend to be on the conservative side -- people such as Rouse or Harbison, rather than Babbitt or Ferneyhough.)

Is it possible that it has less prestige because it just isn't as likable for most people as the many sorts of competing music?

Usually it's plenty "likable", it just isn't particularly impressive.

Comment author: NancyLebovitz 23 March 2011 01:39:43AM 0 points [-]

OK, it's likable, but it isn't lovable. Any theories about the shortage of lovable new music for orchestra?

Comment author: komponisto 23 March 2011 05:41:45AM 0 points [-]

We do not currently live in a culture where the most impressive new music has broad appeal.