Elliott Carter versus John Williams

[Homo Aestheticus]

You've got an ear worm. It happens to the best of us, so there's no reason it shouldn't happen to you.

You describing a phenomenon I've noticed about myself when it comes to pop music. If I come across a catchy song I like a lot, I'll listen to it over and over in a brief period of time --- a couple of weeks, even a few months. Then I'll leave it and almost never go back. Classical strikes me differently: I might not listen, say, Schubert Lieder as often in a year as I once did to Talking Heads --- back in 1981, I saw Stop Making Sense four times--- but I know I'll always return to them, whereas I haven't listened to Talking Heads in years, except for the occasional burst from the radio. It's happening now with Charles Ives, whose music I hadn't listened to in a long time. After some stimulating exchanges with Guido, I've gone back to the quartets and listened to them several times in the past week or so. I've even picked up a couple of additional recordings.

Hi Joe and others,

I was out of town for the past week and couldn't reply.

This past August the following pop hit from 1982 became an earworm but only for 3 or 4 days:

Asia - Heat of the Moment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfFjb3B9RRw

I'm afraid the  Superman  is more than an earworm because it has become the permanent soundtrack when I rise, commute and workout for the past 2 weeks now (and with no end in sight as far as my enthusiasm for it goes) .... 

Of course Wagner, Debussy and Brahms still reign supreme but I always want to end my day with that Prologue, Main Title and March; 5 minutes and 30 seconds of pure glory...

(I'll keep you updated on where this leads me)



Btw, here is the complete, original version with the Prologue as it appears in the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhIlUd-Q9yg&NR=1

and here with the swoosh sounds added:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nN3v-3U-X0&feature=related

[Homo Aestheticus]

Relax, Mr. Pink. Williams composed a stirring, emotional score with beautiful, memorable melodies. There's no reason not to enjoy the music. Wagner, Debussy, et al., aren't going away. They'll be waiting for you when you tire of Superman. Me, I hadn't heard the soundtrack in quite a while. I'm playing it now...it's like the return of an old friend, and I'm thoroughly enjoying its company after a heavy day of opera and Roussel symphonies.

Sounds great, Sarge.

[Joe Barron]

(I'll keep you updated on where this leads me)

I wait with bated breath ...