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Reflections on the puddle of life

Classical music and movies and some other general rambles

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by
TheFifthElement
, 08-01-2009 at 02:18 PM (2028 Views)
What is it about classical music that is so moving? Something beyond that which you find in pop or rock music, something that reaches deep into the soul, if there is such a thing.

The BBC Proms are on TV at the moment. For the uninitiated this is a series of classical music concerts which are broadcast on BBC 2 and BBC Three and BBC radio. Last week I was watching the concert when my kids came in from playing. I was chatting with my daughter about the music and it reminded me that when I was a child our school headmaster used to play classical music to us in assembly, particularly the Planet suite by Holst and the Carnival of the Animals by Sans Saens. I guess he thought it was music kids could understand, and whether it was or it wasn't they've both stuck with me as fond favourites. So I thought, hey! I'll put some music on for my kids.

I picked Jupiter from the Planets; it's long been a favourite of mine. I put the music on; the kids liked it! Now, for those who are not familiar with the piece of music, there's a section towards the end of Jupiter which was later adapted to be 'I Vow to Thee My Country' which goes like so: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MG27BKwjaI so this part started and, to my surprise, a few moments in my daughter started sobbing. Not just a little cry but a full, deep-bellied sob. She said afterwards that the music had made her sad (bear in mind this is Jupiter - bringer of jollity!). Now pop and rock music have made her dance but never, ever have they made her cry. Needless to say, we are no longer permitted to listen to that particular piece of music in her presence, and there are a few other lovely pieces of music which we'll have to approach with caution in the future!

So, still talking about music, there's one piece I particularly enjoy called O mio babbina caro which is from an opera by Puccini. It's a lovely piece of music, you can listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI17VdRfCek which was used as part of the soundtrack to one of my favourite movies, A Room with a View. Because I've been listening to the music recently, I now really, really want to watch the movie. There are so many excellent performances from Dame Maggie Smith, a very young Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Sands, of course, who I love and Daniel Day Lewis as a very stuffy Cecil. I first saw A Room with a View when I was 14 or 15 years old, and was very surprised at the swimming scene (for those who haven't seen the movie - lots of bare male bodies with everything on show!).

Which reminded me of a silly thing which happened when I was really small, maybe 4 or 5 years old. One day I followed my Dad into the toilet, this wasn't a common occurrence but I was curious and at that age you follow the path where your curiosity leads you. I was amazed to find that my Dad had this ability to turn his thumbs inside out and wee out of them! I really thought that's what he did. For ages afterwards I used to try and turn my thumbs inside out but I could never do it. I thought boys were so lucky.

But getting back to movies, I've noticed recently that there are less and less movies being made that I want to see. It seems that Hollywood has run out of ideas and the arthouse scene isn't putting out much of interest either. But I saw that they were advertising a remake of The Taking of Pelham 123 and I wondered - why? Some movies really benefit from a remake because of the improved special effects but Pelham 123 was more of a character piece and somehow I just can't see Denzel Washington and John Travolta carrying it off.

Or maybe I'm just getting old
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  1. Virgil's Avatar
    What is it about classical music that is so moving? Something beyond that which you find in pop or rock music, something that reaches deep into the soul, if there is such a thing.
    A number of things come to mind.
    1. The variety of timbre in clasical music is far vaster. You have an entire orchestra of instruments to play off each other while in pop music it's basically guitars, drums, and perhaps keyboards.
    2. The range of the pitches are by far greater and more expansive in a classical piece. Pop music, especially rock these days, conflates pitches to an angst filled electric guitar and hardly moves beyond a few chords.
    3. Pop music melody is brief, repetive, and singular for the most part. Oh occiasionally you might have a brief episode of a contrasting theme, but that's not too common and not very distinct. Pop music is essentially an ostinato back rhythm (bass and drum) with a short repeative melody. Classical music has long complex interweaved melodies, which contrast and bring to the forefront sections and motifs.
    4. Pop music is essentially one form, repeated in every damn song. It's the same song with the notes changed. A classical piece is essentially individualistic. Each piece strives for a form that relates to its central core meaning. Even when a classical pieces are in the same form, the forms are complex enough to create a wealth of variety. Pop songs rely on some distinct expeirence in the lyrics to create variety. If pop songs were stripped of their lyrics, you would find them extremely boring in a relatively short time.
    5. The reliance on traditional associations in classical music adds layers of meaning. Church sounds and instrumentation, dance rhthyms, military marches, funeral motifs add a depth to classical that pop barely even considers. Oh the occaisional U2 song with the churchy organ ("Where the Streets Have No Name") or the Rolling Stones blues elements occaisionally add some depth to pop music, but its rather superficial.

    So it comes down to range: range of pitch, range of melody, range of form, range of allusions, and range of timbre. How's that for an explanation. Obviously this is something I've given thought to.
    Updated 08-01-2009 at 03:37 PM by Virgil
  2. TheFifthElement's Avatar
    It's a very good explanation Virgil. Thanks
  3. Nightshade's Avatar
    Its the proms ALREADY?! DOnt tell me Ive missed too much or even worse the last night?!
  4. applepie's Avatar
    :lol: You thought you dad could turn his thumbs inside out. I haven't heard that one yet from my daughter:D I love that you were sharing classical music with your kids. It is always so interesting to see how they react to a certain piece. I've found my little ones like to hear the classical scores from movies and TV shows. I still think one of the saddest pieces I remember hearing was from a "Buffy" soundtrack for the TV show. It almost always has the ability to make me shed a tear or two:blush:
  5. TheFifthElement's Avatar
    Oh Nightie! It's been on for two weeks, but you've not missed the last night yet.
    Meg, yes it's good to share these things with the kids. I think it's good to let them experience a range of things when they're young so they have no preconceptions. Now my daughter may never like classical music, but at least she's tried it out. But now you've mentioned it she does love the Star Wars soundtrack, so maybe there's a future convert!