You and Music

[YmirGF]

What is more important, the lyrics, or the music itself ? If you reply "The music itself" - a further question: do you like listening to Classical (ie instrumental) music ?

Nice question, as usual, Michel.

To me the music is the key. I am also insterested in lyrics, but it is the underlying musical textures that capture my imagination. I love classical music.

My faves are, Shoshtekovich, Ravel, Grieg, Mozart, Lizst, Wagner, Dvorak, JC Bach to name a few.

Artist: Jo jo Ma, Leona Boyd, Ravi Shankar
Conductors: Eugene Ormandy (Phillidelphia Philharmonic early 60's)
Herbert von Karajan, Sir George Solti, Neville Mariner & St. Martin in the Fields

oh well, i will leave a few out for others to pick

I also like some opera in smaller doses. Don Giovani left me rather stunned and speechless for quite some time afterwards.

 

[Ex Machina]

Lyrics rarely, if ever matter to me. A song has to be exeptionally accomplished poeticly and thematicly for me to take notice of the words for their own quality, and I only hate a song for its lyrics if they are exeptionaly bad (Hip-Hop tend to be particulary 'diverse' in these aspects).

I personally am more partial to instumental/electronic music then music with singing but I'm personally not big on your classical period music, Choplin and Rachmaninov just don't do it for me.

 

[s2a]

What is more important, the lyrics, or the music itself ? If you reply "The music itself" - a further question: do you like listening to Classical (ie instrumental) music ?

Call me Mr. Equivocation (and I detest being perceived as such), for my reply is..."it depends".

Most of my favorite, "put my feet up and have a cigar and cognac and unwind" sort of music is purely instrumental jazz or classical music. Yet, I absolutely love female vocalists that croon love songs (from Billie Holiday, to Ella, to Dinah Washington and Carmen McRae, to Sarah Vaughn and Diana Krall) when I'm "in the mood". Gimmie good blues when I'm "bluesie", and give me hard drivin' classic rock when I'm motorin' down the highway to nowhere in particular.

I have never faltered when asked, "What is your favorite song of all time?" - in answering, "Beethoven's 9th Symphony (aka, 'Ode to Joy')". Odd choice for an atheist to embrace? Perhaps...but nothing, and I mean nothing, gets my juices stirring more than a powerful rendering of this greatest of all compositional works of human endeavor. If anything could ever persuade me to seriously ponder an existent supernatural deity, it would have to be the evinced and ephemeral inspiration in which Ludwig manifested such a masterpiece of raw emotional power and pure exultation of existence.

But then, when I hear "Peaceful, Easy Feelin'" by the Eagles, I am transported to another place and time of carefree youth, tranquility, and infinite possibilities. Don't make me misty here. I may just have to poke somebody's eye out.

As to my ingrained affinity for classical music, suffice to say that I retain an impressive and extensive collection of Angel records on vinyl(!) that still receive attention and repeated play upon my 40 year-old, belt drive, Sony turntable (with 50w, vacuum tube amp). I challenge anyone to surpass that auditory indulgence.

I remain in awe (and no small envy) of those that create original music, in words or notation. Music is the manifest inspiration of the psyche and soul; and existence absent music would be an existence diminished beyond rapt reconciliation.

 

[michel]

Call me Mr. Equivocation (and I detest being perceived as such), for my reply is..."it depends".

Most of my favorite, "put my feet up and have a cigar and cognac and unwind" sort of music is purely instrumental jazz or classical music. Yet, I absolutely love female vocalists that croon love songs (from Billie Holiday, to Ella, to Dinah Washington and Carmen McRae, to Sarah Vaughn and Diana Krall) when I'm "in the mood". Gimmie good blues when I'm "bluesie", and give me hard drivin' classic rock when I'm motorin' down the highway to nowhere in particular.

I have never faltered when asked, "What is your favorite song of all time?" - in answering, "Beethoven's 9th Symphony (aka, 'Ode to Joy')". Odd choice for an atheist to embrace? Perhaps...but nothing, and I mean nothing, gets my juices stirring more than a powerful rendering of this greatest of all compositional works of human endeavor. If anything could ever persuade me to seriously ponder an existent supernatural deity, it would have to be the evinced and ephemeral inspiration in which Ludwig manifested such a masterpiece of raw emotional power and pure exultation of existence.

But then, when I hear "Peaceful, Easy Feelin'" by the Eagles, I am transported to another place and time of carefree youth, tranquility, and infinite possibilities. Don't make me misty here. I may just have to poke somebody's eye out.

As to my ingrained affinity for classical music, suffice to say that I retain an impressive and extensive collection of Angel records on vinyl(!) that still receive attention and repeated play upon my 40 year-old, belt drive, Sony turntable (with 50w, vacuum tube amp). I challenge anyone to surpass that auditory indulgence.

I remain in awe (and no small envy) of those that create original music, in words or notation. Music is the manifest inspiration of the psyche and soul; and existence absent music would be an existence diminished beyond rapt reconciliation.

Wow! Catholic tastes to boot!

I think I am wholeheartedly with you on this one. My favourite Genre has to be Choral ( and better still Male voice) - but that is only because one of my few regrets
(à la Édith Piaf ?) that I never made the proper effort to take up singing professionally. I have 'dabbled' in amateur productions, but have never been able to give them thre time for which they asked, being a family man........

And coincidence 'Ode to Joy' in German is one of the pieces that I adore singing. Like you, a have different musical 'hats' for every occasion. When youthful and rebellious, I have belted out the best of Joan Baez, Bod Dylan and Donovan; when in a slightly less rebellious mood, it has been Dire Straits, The Eagles, Neil Diamond......................

Thankfully I have replaced nearly all of my vynil onto hard drive mps format, and now have some 6400 tracks (some are different versions of the same piece), and I am only half way there; I now need to add all the CD's I have bought... Ex-Cathedra, LadySmith Black Mamboso (SP?)....and all the classical music which I haven't even started on yet.

Classical, as well as Beethoven, I adore self indulgent nonsenses such as 'The 1812'..and, since married to a Spanish wife, have learned to adore the guitar music of Rodrigo......well, suffice it to say that I love every bit of music.

One point someone made (about music being sung poetry ?) - I think that was the point (in essence), of course I agree with, but to me, accompanied music has to have both good vocals, and instrumentation. There's nothing like wanting the best!

I remain in awe (and no small envy) of those that create original music, in words or notation. Music is the manifest inspiration of the psyche and soul; and existence absent music would be an existence diminished beyond rapt reconciliation

Ah! another commonality !; there are so many times that, had I stood in front of the composer, lyricist, I would have scratched his eyes out, for having an ability I do not possess. Yes, very un-Christian.......I do try to work on that!

 

[ChrisP]

What is more important, the lyrics, or the music itself ? If you reply "The music itself" - a further question: do you like listening to Classical (ie instrumental) music ?

That depends on my mood, but usually the music. Exceptions to this are Pink Floyd and Simon & Garfunkel. I still like the music better but the lyrics are important too.

I listen to a bit of classical, being classically trained on both clarinet and piano, I enjoy Chopin most of all.

 

[ChrisP]

Call me Mr. Equivocation (and I detest being perceived as such), for my reply is..."it depends".

Most of my favorite, "put my feet up and have a cigar and cognac and unwind" sort of music is purely instrumental jazz or classical music. Yet, I absolutely love female vocalists that croon love songs (from Billie Holiday, to Ella, to Dinah Washington and Carmen McRae, to Sarah Vaughn and Diana Krall) when I'm "in the mood". Gimmie good blues when I'm "bluesie", and give me hard drivin' classic rock when I'm motorin' down the highway to nowhere in particular.

I have never faltered when asked, "What is your favorite song of all time?" - in answering, "Beethoven's 9th Symphony (aka, 'Ode to Joy')". Odd choice for an atheist to embrace? Perhaps...but nothing, and I mean nothing, gets my juices stirring more than a powerful rendering of this greatest of all compositional works of human endeavor. If anything could ever persuade me to seriously ponder an existent supernatural deity, it would have to be the evinced and ephemeral inspiration in which Ludwig manifested such a masterpiece of raw emotional power and pure exultation of existence.

But then, when I hear "Peaceful, Easy Feelin'" by the Eagles, I am transported to another place and time of carefree youth, tranquility, and infinite possibilities. Don't make me misty here. I may just have to poke somebody's eye out.

As to my ingrained affinity for classical music, suffice to say that I retain an impressive and extensive collection of Angel records on vinyl(!) that still receive attention and repeated play upon my 40 year-old, belt drive, Sony turntable (with 50w, vacuum tube amp). I challenge anyone to surpass that auditory indulgence.

I remain in awe (and no small envy) of those that create original music, in words or notation. Music is the manifest inspiration of the psyche and soul; and existence absent music would be an existence diminished beyond rapt reconciliation.

uUUUUHhhhgggg??? Me no understand big words

 

[Ðanisty]

Both are important to me. There are certain styles of music I don't like (rap, hip-hop, etc.) which would have to have extraordinary lyrics for me to bother listening to it. So, in that respect, music is more important. However, songs with moving lyrics have a more profound affect on me than songs with moving music. The best bands obviously have both great music and great lyrics (like The Who and Led Zeppelin). I'm not a big fan of classical music specifically, but there is instrumental music that I like. Most of it is jazz.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I am into Classical music, where the three sorts are fairly clearly defined.
Instrumental
Vocal
and combined.

Even the Composers have preferences. Beethoven mostly wrote instrumental, but then came up wth his Ninth (choral) symphony ,which proved his mastery of vocal work as well, He also wrote some excellent work for song, but it is little known.

Wagna wrote some amazing opera ( and if you hear it played with out words ) it is equally good that way. But he wrote very little instrumental works.

Shubert's Lieder is perhaps my favourite music ( Die Shone Mullerin) Is a prime example

Mozart was the master of everything.

Terry________________________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

 

[ChrisP]

Mozart was the master of everything.

:jam:

 

[Bastet]

As some others have also posted, for me it depends - on the music, the artist, and the mood I'm in at the time. I have a very eclectic music collection, and at least a little bit of everything.

There are songs where the music and the lyrics are inextricably entwined - if one or the other were taken away, the song would be less than it is; it would mean less to me and I would get less enjoyment/emotional impact out of it. There are songs where the lyrics take a back seat to the melody of the vocals themselves - the vocals are truly an instrument all of their own, and what they are actually saying doesn't really matter as much as how they weave in and out of the music proper. And honestly, sometimes I can't even understand the lyrics but the song still sends a chill down my spine - e.g. Clannad's 'Theme From Harry's Game' (someone mentioned Loreena McKennitt - she has the same effect). I'm a sucker for a great harmony - especially 3-part or more. But then I also love classical music, and if someone suddenly stuck lyrics into music I had only heard as instrumental my whole life, I would probably beat them over the head for being crass and ruining the emotion of the piece. Having said that, I didn't buy Public Enemy's 'Fear of a Black Planet' for the music.

*sigh* It seems I'll have to be a fence sitter on this one...damn those splinters.

Oh, and whoever mentioned Primus ---> :jam:

 

[Ulver]

Both lyrics and the Music are important. A truely great artist/band will be able to create a work that musically and lyrically will be able to move an individual either mentally or emotionally.

Jello Biafra is a great vocalist and lyric composer, but added to the music of the Dead Kennedys and it becomes something even bigger and more powerful. As could be said of Roger Waters & Pink Floyd.

np: Dimmu Borgir- Hybrid Stigmata-The Apostasy

 

[mr.guy]

I always thought good literature is like music. The best verse/passages beg to be "hummed along with".

 

[ChrisP]

Oh, and whoever mentioned Primus ---> :jam:

Never would have picked you for a primus fan!

 

[Katzpur]

I think my favorite is Etude 3 in E Major (or minor...I get them confused)...I could listen to Chopin for hours.

Hum it for me, will you, dawny? Oh wait, never mind... My speakers are broken.

 

[Katzpur]

And coincidence 'Ode to Joy' in German is one of the pieces that I adore singing.

Oh yes... "Alle Menchen werden Bruder..."

 

[Katzpur]

Wagna wrote some amazing opera ( and if you hear it played with out words )

I'm assuming that was a typo and you meant to say "Wagner." I've never been to a Wagnerian opera in my life, but some of his overatures and choruses are the most beautiful music ever written. I love the Prelude to the 3rd act (I think) of Die Meistersinger. And the Rienzi overature, and the Pilgrims Chorus from Tannhauser. That stuff just sends chills up my spine.

 

[Bastet]

Never would have picked you for a primus fan!

That's what happens when you babysit someone else's cd collection for the holidays at Uni. That same cd collection is the reason I also love listening to Benny Goodman.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I'm assuming that was a typo and you meant to say "Wagner." I've never been to a Wagnerian opera in my life, but some of his overatures and choruses are the most beautiful music ever written. I love the Prelude to the 3rd act (I think) of Die Meistersinger. And the Rienzi overature, and the Pilgrims Chorus from Tannhauser. That stuff just sends chills up my spine.

Bad Typo indeed!

Those you mention are certainly spinetinglers, he gets so much emotion into his music.I have only heard extracts live, I don't think my bladder woud put up with a full performance. Some times the BBC put on his operas over several evenings.

I think that is what I like about Lieder as well , it is all emotion with great control.

People who don't listen to wagner's music because or his political makeup, don't know what they are missing.

they don't bar music of other composers who have equally suspect backgrounds.

Terry_______________________-
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land

 

[Katzpur]

Those you mention are certainly spinetinglers, he gets so much emotion into his music.I have only heard extracts live, I don't think my bladder woud put up with a full performance.

When I was in the fifth grade, the Utah Symphony used to perform three or four matinees a year on Saturday mornings for the express purpose of introducing children to classical music. We'd get extra-credit for attending these performances, so I always used to go. The week before a performance, my teacher would introduce us to the music we were going to hear on Saturday. She'd tell us a little bit about it and then play it for us on her "Victrola" , so that it would be at least somewhat familiar to us when we heard it performed live.

One day, she put on a piece of music by a man named Richard Wagner. She told us he was German. My dad taught German for 35 years at the University of Utah, so that was the first thing that caught my interest. The piece of music she played for us was from something called "Die Meistersinger." I can remember sitting there in my fifth grade class absolutely transported to another world. I had never heard anything to compare to that music.

That evening, my dad asked me what I'd learned in school that day and I couldn't wait to tell him. "We heard the most beautiful music I've ever heard in my life," I said. It's called 'Die Meistersinger' and it's by a man called Richard Wagner. Have you ever heard of him?" My dad laughed and told me I had very good taste in music. I can remember that conversation as if it were yesterday and not almost 50 years ago.

People who don't listen to wagner's music because or his political makeup, don't know what they are missing.

I couldn't agree more. Appreciating great music doesn't mean you condone racism. I separate the two entirely.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

When I was in the fifth grade, the Utah Symphony used to perform three or four matinees a year on Saturday mornings for the express purpose of introducing children to classical music

I was very lucky in my choice of prep schools (junior Private boarding schools) for ages 10 to 13
The head master was a very cultured man. Every Sunday afternoon he would invite us into his private drawing room, Big enough to hold 60 youngsters with room to spare.
He would either play on his grand piano, or invite other musicians and singers to talk and play for us. Two or three time a term he would take those who wanted to go, to hear performances in Norwich.
I am sure this is what set my taste in music.

Terry______________________
Blessed are the gentle, they shall inherit the land