Can classical music be cool?

[mus_gique]

Does a modern composer need to be "cool"? What should he/she do to be successful?

I've recently found this Ukrainian guy Dmytro Gordon, who works with Walter Afanasieff and now is trying to draw attention mixing classical piece with a clown theme video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x_ggdhqJc4

What do you think about this type of approach?

[Mirror Image]

Does a modern composer need to be "cool"? What should he/she do to be successful?

I've recently found this Ukrainian guy Dmytro Gordon, who works with Walter Afanasieff and now is trying to draw attention mixing classical piece with a clown theme video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x_ggdhqJc4

What do you think about this type of approach?

Not much, but then there aren't many composers post-WWII that impress me.

[aukhawk]

I've recently found this Ukrainian guy Dmytro Gordon, who works with Walter Afanasieff and now is trying to draw attention mixing classical piece with a clown theme video.

A bit like Stravinsky and Pulcinella then

[ShineyMcShineShine]

>clowns
>cool
Pick one.

[Karl Henning]

It can be as cool as Yesterday's Snow ...https://soundcloud.com/sonicplotter/henning-yesterdays-snow

[relm1]

I liked how this composer describes cool as relevant and gets into the topic of success:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxVmaYzz-M

I believe it is up to the individual to define success.  There isn't a specific standard.  I worked for a prominent composer who made millions a year and felt he was a failure because he never wrote that "great tune" that people can't get out of their heads.  Meanwhile some composers like George Lloyd are full of great tunes but not well known (at least in their day). 

[bhodges]

Does a modern composer need to be "cool"? What should he/she do to be successful?

I've recently found this Ukrainian guy Dmytro Gordon, who works with Walter Afanasieff and now is trying to draw attention mixing classical piece with a clown theme video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x_ggdhqJc4

What do you think about this type of approach?

Contemporary composers are already cool! And too many to name. As a single example, recently I heard an evening of Caroline Shaw's works for string quartet, which were exceptionally well done by the Attacca Quartet. (She won the Pulitzer Prize for her Partita for 8 Voices.)

(And here, not crazy about either the music or the video.)

--Bruce

[pjme]

It can be as cool as Yesterday's Snow ...https://soundcloud.com/sonicplotter/henning-yesterdays-snow

A very lovely piece!

[Karl Henning]

A very lovely piece!

Many thanks!

[Daverz]

I think Paul Moravec's music is pretty cool, hepcat daddy-o.

[Mirror Image]

Stravinsky wore sunglasses, so classical music must be very cool:



And if someone says classical music isn't cool, I usually just ignore them. If you're listening to this music because it's the hip thing to do and because all of your friends are doing it, then it's best you stop living this charade and come clean.

[greg]

"Can classical music be cool?"

Who cares? Society's opinion is irrelevant.

Just keep in mind how many people are borderline retarded and you'll stop caring.