What do you picture in your mind when listening to non-programmatic music?

Started by radi, March 02, 2013, 12:58:00 PM

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Karl Henning

#40
March 14, 2013, 02:03:45 AM
Quote from: Elgarian on March 14, 2013, 01:12:30 AM
I think this reinforces my suggestion that many of our responses are involuntary, governed by who we are, where we've been, and so on. A similar situation arises with abstract paintings, where some folks can't help 'reading' them as landscapes, etc. Problems only arise when someone insists that 'this is how it should be seen (or listened to)'. For me, the pleasure of this sort of exchange lies in the multiplicity of response and the swapping of notes.

Aye, Should has but spotty success in artistic discussions.

Though I admit he is probably the best candidate in the sentence I should really practice more . . . .
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

dyn

#41
March 14, 2013, 04:07:22 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on March 14, 2013, 02:03:45 AM
Aye, Should has but spotty success in artistic discussions.

Though I admit he is probably the best candidate in the sentence I should really practice more . . . .
Even then, what imperative requires you to practice? "I would like to practice more..." seems more accurate ;)

Karl Henning

#42
March 14, 2013, 04:08:48 AM
Exactly so: my own imperative, in a field where I am entitled to exercise an imperative : )
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

prémont

#43
March 14, 2013, 04:39:58 AM
Sometimes I picture the score in my mind, sometimes the musician (s) and the instrument (s) but only very rarely things, which are unrelated to the music.
Reality trumps our fantasy far beyond imagination.

Elgarian

#44
March 14, 2013, 06:46:44 AM
Karl ... the picture of you wearing headphones ... that was taken at Logan airport - right? [I knew there was more than one of us flapping...]

Karl Henning

#45
March 14, 2013, 06:50:31 AM
You'll never flap alone . . . .
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Ten thumbs

#46
March 14, 2013, 02:46:42 PM
I may well have thoughts of the sea when listening to La Mer, which was presumably Debussy's intention, and that is not programme music. Perhaps we may hear an impressionist piece soon that represents a person wearing headphones.
A day may be a destiny; for life
Lives in but little—but that little teems
With some one chance, the balance of all time:
A look—a word—and we are wholly changed.

jochanaan

#47
March 14, 2013, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Ten thumbs on March 14, 2013, 02:46:42 PM
I may well have thoughts of the sea when listening to La Mer, which was presumably Debussy's intention, and that is not programme music...
?!? :o
Imagination + discipline = creativity

Karl Henning

#48
March 14, 2013, 07:37:45 PM
Quote from: jochanaan on March 14, 2013, 05:27:39 PM
?!? :o

Yes, I admit that I found that a profound head-shaker, meself....
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Ten thumbs

#49
March 15, 2013, 05:05:38 AM
You really ought to know better.  ???
A day may be a destiny; for life
Lives in but little—but that little teems
With some one chance, the balance of all time:
A look—a word—and we are wholly changed.

Karl Henning

#50
March 15, 2013, 05:09:27 AM
Little help? ; )
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Ten thumbs

#51
March 15, 2013, 10:12:13 AM
If it is any help, La Mer consists of three symphonic sketches, each of which is a structured composition intended to give impressions of the sea, as indicated by the titles. There is however no story and no programme. The music is quite capable of standing on its own without reference to its pictorial associations. All we have in essence, is a suite of character pieces. I don't therefore quite see what your problem is.
A day may be a destiny; for life
Lives in but little—but that little teems
With some one chance, the balance of all time:
A look—a word—and we are wholly changed.

jochanaan

#52
March 15, 2013, 07:45:48 PM
Quote from: Ten thumbs on March 15, 2013, 10:12:13 AM
If it is any help, La Mer consists of three symphonic sketches, each of which is a structured composition intended to give impressions of the sea, as indicated by the titles. There is however no story and no programme. The music is quite capable of standing on its own without reference to its pictorial associations. All we have in essence, is a suite of character pieces. I don't therefore quite see what your problem is.
But even "The Sea" is a suggestion of a program, and the titles are actually very specific.  "Absolute music" is music with NO titles, not even suggestions.
Imagination + discipline = creativity

Ten thumbs

#53
March 16, 2013, 03:35:22 AM
Quote from: jochanaan on March 15, 2013, 07:45:48 PM
But even "The Sea" is a suggestion of a program, and the titles are actually very specific.  "Absolute music" is music with NO titles, not even suggestions.

Perhaps you could describe the sea's programme? I'm sure there are many mariners who would like to know. I suggest you read the entry on Wikipedia. By your definition, the volume of absolute music is not as great as you might suppose. After all 'Minuet' is a title, and a suggestive one at that, as also 'French Suites'. Does 'Nocturne' really suggest a programme? I think not.
A day may be a destiny; for life
Lives in but little—but that little teems
With some one chance, the balance of all time:
A look—a word—and we are wholly changed.

jochanaan

#54
March 24, 2013, 07:52:45 PM
Quote from: Ten thumbs on March 16, 2013, 03:35:22 AM
...By your definition, the volume of absolute music is not as great as you might suppose...
Indeed it isn't nearly as great as many suppose.  I have even read suggestions that Bach's Brandenburg Concertos had hidden programs...!
Imagination + discipline = creativity

Chaszz

#55
March 25, 2013, 06:40:39 PM
Quote from: jochanaan on March 24, 2013, 07:52:45 PM
Indeed it isn't nearly as great as many suppose.  I have even read suggestions that Bach's Brandenburg Concertos had hidden programs...!

The cadenza in the first movement of No. 5 is obviously meant to represent the upswelling of the sea in a large wave. There cannot be the slightest doubt of it....anyone who doubts this is a philistine who knows nothing whatever about music.

And that is not my opinion, but a fact.
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