GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: Benny on September 06, 2008, 06:49:41 PM

Title: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Benny on September 06, 2008, 06:49:41 PM
The sedentary classical music lover has resided in the same aesthetic location for several decades. In all those years, this person has demonstrated an unwavering loyalty to the same composers. Not only that but the sedentary music lover is not so much interested in acquiring all the works composed by these same composers but as many recordings of her/his favorite works as can be obtained. It's a peculiar loyalty because it does not necessarily encompass a composer's "minor" works, such as lieders, less original youthful works or choral works. No. The sedentary music lover is more inclined to acquire thirty different recordings of this composer's major works -- such as symphonies, concertos and other orchestral works -- than to become acquainted with all the piano pieces and art songs and chamber works and choral works of her/his favorite composers.

The nomadic classical music lover is, by definition, on the move. For such a person, a favorite composer depends on the season, the setting, the mood, and the incubation. Such a person can't understand why anyone would listen to the same composers year after year and to the same major works time after time. And when the nomadic music lover decides to really focus on a given composer, then it's to embrace absolutely everything, from the earliest works to the last, including choral music and art songs. Soon, however, interest shifts to somebody else and, eventually, there even might occur a cataclysmic change from Romantic to Modern or to Baroque or to Early Music -- a complete shift of paradigm. It's a pretty ephemeral loyalty but it can't be helped.

Sedentary or nomadic?
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Kullervo on September 06, 2008, 06:54:50 PM
Nomadic — but there are a small group of composers whose music I return to again and again. My wanderings are attempts to find more names to add to that small contingent.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Lilas Pastia on September 06, 2008, 07:12:01 PM
Definitely nomadic. But, from your description, it's not hard to guess where youre sympathies lie  ;)
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: springrite on September 06, 2008, 07:16:06 PM
Nomadic for sure. For one thng, I only go to concerts where there is a world premeire or, at least, a work or compose I do not know. I never go to standard repertoire concerts or recitals, with the possible exception of opera because, well, new work performances are relatively rare.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Benny on September 06, 2008, 07:22:51 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on September 06, 2008, 07:12:01 PM
Definitely nomadic. But, from your description, it's not hard to guess where youre sympathies lie  ;)

Really? I own several versions of Debussy's Preludes!
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: The new erato on September 06, 2008, 11:02:10 PM
Nomadic.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: lisa needs braces on September 06, 2008, 11:21:07 PM
Why would anyone admit to being "sedentary" considering the implied negativity? A sedentary listener, we are left to interpret, is lazy and not as fun or adventurous as the nomadic listener. He is nothing less than a fool whose limited fixations prevent him from experiencing much great music. So go ahead people. Admit to being this guy. I am sure you will get much props from the board for doing so.

Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: sound67 on September 07, 2008, 12:08:27 AM
Nomadic.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Iago on September 07, 2008, 12:12:27 AM
The initiator of this thread is obviously trying to show how "superior" a music lover he is.

Well, he can KMA in Macy's window or in  any other public area he chooses.

When I listen to music, I listen with my heart, my mind and my ears. I listen ONLY to the music I love, which has been a source of comfort to me over the span of my life. I am not trying to impress anyone. I don't particularly care what anybody else thinks about my likes, dislikes, adventurousness, or lack thereof.

I have often accused members of this forum as being "elite snobs". Guess I was right.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: The new erato on September 07, 2008, 01:21:38 AM
Quote from: Iago on September 07, 2008, 12:12:27 AM
The initiator of this thread is obviously trying to show how "superior" a music lover he is.

Well, he can KMA in Macy's window or in  any other public area he chooses.

When I listen to music, I listen with my heart, my mind and my ears. I listen ONLY to the music I love, which has been a source of comfort to me over the span of my life. I am not trying to impress anyone. I don't particularly care what anybody else thinks about my likes, dislikes, adventurousness, or lack thereof.

I have often accused members of this forum as being "elite snobs". Guess I was right.
So a snob is anyone interested in exploring? What's most interesting about your post is how you interpret anybody different from you as a threat.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: sound67 on September 07, 2008, 03:47:23 AM
QuoteWhen I listen to music, I listen with my heart, my mind and my ears. I listen ONLY to the music I love

So how did you arrive at your selection of "music you love"? It just came to you, or did you do some exploring back then?

How would you know that there isn't any music "to be loved" among the works you don't know if you're not exploring?

I used to think that advertising companies were just being ageist when they decided they'd target 16 to 49-year-olds exclusively because older people tend to be locked in their corners and just buy the things they bought for decades. Lately, I've come to think they're right.

Thomas
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: knight66 on September 07, 2008, 03:51:48 AM
Well, I am over that upper age and am still looking at music I don't know and experimenting with composers new to me.

Mike
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Mark on September 07, 2008, 04:05:04 AM
Benny, are you our old friend Michel in disguise? I seem to recall he had a particular axe to grind regarding what he felt were 'sedantry' classical music lovers. ::)

For myself, a bit of both: breadth and depth. Go ahead, classify me. ;D

(Incidentally, isn't this thread a bit similar to my - less earnst and unbiased - attempt to classify types of collectors? See here (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,1446.0.html) for details.)
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Benny on September 07, 2008, 04:16:02 AM
Quote from: -abe- on September 06, 2008, 11:21:07 PM
Why would anyone admit to being "sedentary" considering the implied negativity? A sedentary listener, we are left to interpret, is lazy and not as fun or adventurous as the nomadic listener. He is nothing less than a fool whose limited fixations prevent him from experiencing much great music. So go ahead people. Admit to being this guy. I am sure you will get much props from the board for doing so.

Quote from: Iago on September 07, 2008, 12:12:27 AM
The initiator of this thread is obviously trying to show how "superior" a music lover he is.

Well, he can KMA in Macy's window or in  any other public area he chooses.

When I listen to music, I listen with my heart, my mind and my ears. I listen ONLY to the music I love, which has been a source of comfort to me over the span of my life. I am not trying to impress anyone. I don't particularly care what anybody else thinks about my likes, dislikes, adventurousness, or lack thereof.

I have often accused members of this forum as being "elite snobs". Guess I was right.

Fast shooters!
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Moldyoldie on September 07, 2008, 04:23:06 AM
Nomadic -- though I do tend to collect several recordings of a favorite single work over time, especially if I think it offers something "validly" new to a listener; i.e., it offers new insights and "works" aesthetically.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Benny on September 07, 2008, 04:23:42 AM
Quote from: Mark on September 07, 2008, 04:05:04 AM
Benny, are you our old friend Michel in disguise? I seem to recall he had a particular axe to grind regarding what he felt were 'sedantry' classical music lovers. ::)

For myself, a bit of both: breadth and depth. Go ahead, classify me. ;D

(Incidentally, isn't this thread a bit similar to my - less earnst and unbiased - attempt to classify types of collectors? See here (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,1446.0.html) for details.)

I haven't read everything on this site, no.
To classify you? You sound like an objective hunter-gatherer with a sharp axe. ;D

Why did Michel leave without grinding his axe?
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Mark on September 07, 2008, 04:25:12 AM
Quote from: Benny on September 07, 2008, 04:23:42 AM
Why did Michel leave without grinding his axe?

Oh, he ground it, believe me.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Que on September 07, 2008, 05:34:53 AM
Quote from: Benny on September 06, 2008, 06:49:41 PM
a composer's "minor" works, such as lieders, less original youthful works or choral works.....major works -- such as symphonies, concertos and other orchestral works -- than to become acquainted with all the piano pieces and art songs and chamber works and choral works of her/his favorite composers.

Can't agree with your concept of  what constitutes minor and major works.
I was under the impresion this is determined by quality, not genre?  ::)

QuoteSedentary or nomadic?

Both, I guess. So, neither, actually. 8)

Q
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Josquin des Prez on September 07, 2008, 05:50:34 AM
Quote from: Benny on September 06, 2008, 06:49:41 PM
It's a peculiar loyalty because it does not necessarily encompass a composer's "minor" works, such as lieders, less original youthful works or choral works.

How is that peculiar?
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: jochanaan on September 07, 2008, 08:09:10 AM
Most of us, of course, are neither completely sedentary nor completely nomadic; we hang our coats somewhere between these two extremes.  As for me, I tend to roam with the nomads, but carry some precious musical gems with me.

"Old friends is always best--'less you c'n find a new one that's fit to make an old one of!" ;D
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: greg on September 07, 2008, 02:19:24 PM
Quote from: erato on September 07, 2008, 01:21:38 AM
So a snob is anyone interested in exploring? What's most interesting about your post is how you interpret anybody different from you as a threat.
Iago's never going to reply, he never does.

Quote from: Mark on September 07, 2008, 04:05:04 AM
Benny, are you our old friend Michel in disguise? I seem to recall he had a particular axe to grind regarding what he felt were 'sedantry' classical music lovers. ::)

For myself, a bit of both: breadth and depth. Go ahead, classify me. ;D

(Incidentally, isn't this thread a bit similar to my - less earnst and unbiased - attempt to classify types of collectors? See here (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,1446.0.html) for details.)
Same here. I have a group of "favorites", whose complete works I want to have someday..... I have an absolute "favorite"...... and i try to listen to several CDs a day which include a variety of composers I'm not too familiarr with.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: eyeresist on September 07, 2008, 08:25:55 PM
I'm both, of course.


I have musical genres I like or dislike, and collect appropriately. If I particularly like a composer I'll broaden my exposure to them, but I'd still rather not waste much time on their minor or failed works.

I try composers I haven't heard, if the word is good, but some of those old composers were forgotten for good reasons; and of recent works, there really is a lot of dross to work through, as posterity hasn't yet done the job of weeding it out. So listening to new i.e. contemporary music "on principle" is something I try to avoid, as it rarely rewards. I'll leave "the delight of the new" to others, who can do the sorting for me.

It does worry me that the OP is attempting to say that "sedentary" listeners are no more serious about music than someone who pulls out their "Best opera ever!" CD a couple of times a year.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: lukeottevanger on September 08, 2008, 08:06:45 AM
Personally, I'm a wide-ranging nomad with a taste for both well-trodden highways and desolate byways (although, just as is my experience IRL, however far off-the-beaten track you venture you usually find there's Dutchman there before you!  ;D ). Nevertheless I tend to return to the same pastures seasonally. And because I find those places particularly fruitful I explore them as thoroughly as possible.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 08, 2008, 08:14:05 AM
Quote from: James on September 08, 2008, 08:00:26 AM
what seems like a lifetime ago i was a lot more nomadic when first starting out & exploring....much more refined, sedentary & selective now though.

May I remind you of your signature: "A mind is like a parachute. It doesnt work if it's not open." - Zappa

;D :D ;)

Sarge
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: lukeottevanger on September 08, 2008, 08:19:47 AM
But James 'landed' years ago. He doesn't need an open parachute anymore.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: DavidW on September 08, 2008, 05:41:31 PM
False dichotomies are for morons.
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: eyeresist on September 08, 2008, 05:44:56 PM
Are not!
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: Benny on September 08, 2008, 06:23:04 PM
Quote from: DavidW on September 08, 2008, 05:41:31 PM
False dichotomies are for morons.

Very well. I'm always willing to reconsider and to revise. How about
Big game hunters
Hunter-gatherers
Practitioners of intensive agriculture
Practitioners of extensive agriculture
Medecine Men/Women
and just plain Warriors?
Title: Re: Sedentary and nomadic tastes
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on September 09, 2008, 02:09:53 AM
Quote from: lukeottevanger on September 08, 2008, 08:06:45 AM
Personally, I'm a wide-ranging nomad with a taste for both well-trodden highways and desolate byways (although, just as is my experience IRL, however far off-the-beaten track you venture you usually find there's Dutchman there before you!  ;D ). Nevertheless I tend to return to the same pastures seasonally. And because I find those places particularly fruitful I explore them as thoroughly as possible.

So true.  ;D

But the same here, btw. Breadth and depth are what I aim at: being open-minded enough to explore while visiting and revisiting too what I know and love.