Getting caught up with this series; I would draw to your attention two media of great appeal to younger generations that have a flourishing culture of original classical music: video games and anime. Myself a gen-Xer, I've been moved by music from FULL METAL ALCHEMIST, BROTHERHOOD in addition to a beautiful story of young musicians in competition, YOUR LIE IN APRIL. The list is endless for provocative, original post-Romantic scores. The Japanese in general have esteemed classical music long after Americans discarded it, but some younger Americans still enjoy it in this context. I don't play video games but you can see gaming music programmed at orchestral concerts frequently.
Looking forward to the rest of your podcasts. I was today years old, through this podcast, that I found out about Richard Strauss' association with the Nazi party. I am gutted: he was my favorite opera composer. How has he been able to avoid the scorn of audiences where Wagner and Orff are so vilified?
Hi Mark, thanks for your thoughtful comments. I don't know much about game music but most of what I've heard is bombastic (called "epic" by the trade) imitations of late romantic music of the 19th century...yet lacking the depth, development and soul of the best of that music. In other words it is kitsch. In my view neither movie music nor gaming music points to a revival of modern classical music but in fact prevents it. It is part of the unfortunate commercialization of art in our time. As a test listen to a symphony by Schubert...all movements...then put on a gaming music effort. Hopefully you will then see what is lacking. Also simply imitating the past no matter how skillfully done is not the way forward toward a new idiom for the classical genre. As Monet famously said (I'm paraphrasing): "Anyone can paint like Monet -- but they aren't Monet." Regarding Wagner and Strauss, Strauss' grandchildren were Jewish and he worked to protect them and his sister-in-law from the Nazis. He was not prosecuted after the war for what that is worth. But he did lend his very prestigious name to Nazi attacks on artists like Thomas Mann. Wagner on the other hand died way before the Nazi era. He was an outspoken antisemite, however and his wife, Cosima, who outlived him did support the Nazis very strongly. However many people we consider famous today were or are antisemitic. Does that mean we should ban thier works?
I am not sure the situation is that bleak. In st. Louis we hear new works nearly every other symphony concert. I would also say that Sesame Street did its part, and The Smurfs series for children used classical music, and that was after captain Video by a generation. (I I was amused by your use of that example - i spent several hours in the Grinnell college record library before establishing the identity of that theme music.) Thanks for this series - I am interested in how this series progresses.
Roger- I believe we knew each other many, many years ago in Cleveland. I was active in politics in the 60s and knew someone with your name. My last name was Kelner.
Awesome podcast Roger! I believe if you keep going, The Nightmare of Reason with Roger Rudenstein will go viral! You have an incredible depth of knowledge about many subjects and your presentation is fascinating. Regarding your own music, I admire how you have managed to stand firmly balanced with one foot in the past and one foot in the future. Keep up the fantastic work!
Interesting for all music lovers, providing a view from a composer and the surprising influences he’s observed shape music genres throughout the decades.
Getting caught up with this series; I would draw to your attention two media of great appeal to younger generations that have a flourishing culture of original classical music: video games and anime. Myself a gen-Xer, I've been moved by music from FULL METAL ALCHEMIST, BROTHERHOOD in addition to a beautiful story of young musicians in competition, YOUR LIE IN APRIL. The list is endless for provocative, original post-Romantic scores. The Japanese in general have esteemed classical music long after Americans discarded it, but some younger Americans still enjoy it in this context. I don't play video games but you can see gaming music programmed at orchestral concerts frequently.
Looking forward to the rest of your podcasts. I was today years old, through this podcast, that I found out about Richard Strauss' association with the Nazi party. I am gutted: he was my favorite opera composer. How has he been able to avoid the scorn of audiences where Wagner and Orff are so vilified?
Hi Mark, thanks for your thoughtful comments. I don't know much about game music but most of what I've heard is bombastic (called "epic" by the trade) imitations of late romantic music of the 19th century...yet lacking the depth, development and soul of the best of that music. In other words it is kitsch. In my view neither movie music nor gaming music points to a revival of modern classical music but in fact prevents it. It is part of the unfortunate commercialization of art in our time. As a test listen to a symphony by Schubert...all movements...then put on a gaming music effort. Hopefully you will then see what is lacking. Also simply imitating the past no matter how skillfully done is not the way forward toward a new idiom for the classical genre. As Monet famously said (I'm paraphrasing): "Anyone can paint like Monet -- but they aren't Monet." Regarding Wagner and Strauss, Strauss' grandchildren were Jewish and he worked to protect them and his sister-in-law from the Nazis. He was not prosecuted after the war for what that is worth. But he did lend his very prestigious name to Nazi attacks on artists like Thomas Mann. Wagner on the other hand died way before the Nazi era. He was an outspoken antisemite, however and his wife, Cosima, who outlived him did support the Nazis very strongly. However many people we consider famous today were or are antisemitic. Does that mean we should ban thier works?
I am not sure the situation is that bleak. In st. Louis we hear new works nearly every other symphony concert. I would also say that Sesame Street did its part, and The Smurfs series for children used classical music, and that was after captain Video by a generation. (I I was amused by your use of that example - i spent several hours in the Grinnell college record library before establishing the identity of that theme music.) Thanks for this series - I am interested in how this series progresses.
Glad you’re doing what you love. I remember Tiny Alice.
Roger- I believe we knew each other many, many years ago in Cleveland. I was active in politics in the 60s and knew someone with your name. My last name was Kelner.
That was probably me. I was active then too and a member of the band "Tiny Alice"
Awesome podcast Roger! I believe if you keep going, The Nightmare of Reason with Roger Rudenstein will go viral! You have an incredible depth of knowledge about many subjects and your presentation is fascinating. Regarding your own music, I admire how you have managed to stand firmly balanced with one foot in the past and one foot in the future. Keep up the fantastic work!
Hey Roger! Enjoyed this! Can't wait to hear the CIA stuff. Miss you and big hello to Marilyn!
Interesting for all music lovers, providing a view from a composer and the surprising influences he’s observed shape music genres throughout the decades.