4 ms·

The joke was that Mozart was considered inferior, while Bach was still worth drawing on for inspiration. Perhaps less funny explained, but also amusingly musica

by ta2112 3y ago

The joke was that Mozart was considered inferior, while Bach was still worth drawing on for inspiration. Perhaps less funny explained, but also amusingly musically accurate.

canadianfella 3y ago
Can you explain why that is “amusingly musically accurate”? I don’t understand.
- ta2112 3y ago
  I'll do my best. Mozart was one of the top Classical period (1750-1830) composers, and is certainly the most famous. He was a genius, he was prolific, he was famous during his day, and among classical composers he is often considered the best. To this day he is a household name, and his operas, symphonies, and chamber music are commonly performed. Bach died (1750) before Mozart was born (1756). He composed in Baroque (1600-1750) counterpoint. He produced an inhuman amount of music, as in he had to be writing constantly. While he lived he was not famous, but he was known in smaller musical circles. After his death, his music was mostly forgotten, and baroque counterpoint in general was outdated and not often used in the classical style. It wasn't until the 19th century that he was rediscovered, having his works re-published and performed. His music is subtle and complex, maybe I can describe it as a crystalline mathematical profoundness. Among many Bach is considered the GOAT. I could believe that a super-intelligent former human AI musician would find his music interesting. Whereas Mozart was merely the greatest Classical composer. But of course, Sterling is also lobbing a grenade into an infinite flame war about which music is better. So that's a fun way to rile up the Mozart stans.
  - Jenz 3y ago
    I've never seen any convincing argument that Bach is somehow, as frequently claimed, the epitome of baroque music. It seems to be a largely romantic sentiment, that arose moreso to Mendelssohn's circumstances than to anything unique in Bach's music— Mendelssohn simply did not have the access to many other high baroque composers' music to draw from. Aside from how surprisingly late he is, there are many comparable figures to Bach. I am tired and will content myself with simply mentioning some early baroque composers that, for anyone curious, sadly do not get the spotlight they deserve: Ascanio Mayone (c.1565–1627), Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643), Tarquinio Merula (1595-1665), Johann Jacob Froberger (1616-1667), Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi (1624-1687), Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (c.1644-1704).

by ta2112 3y ago

The joke was that Mozart was considered inferior, while Bach was still worth drawing on for inspiration. Perhaps less funny explained, but also amusingly musically accurate.

canadianfella 3y ago

Can you explain why that is “amusingly musically accurate”? I don’t understand.

ta2112 3y ago
I'll do my best. Mozart was one of the top Classical period (1750-1830) composers, and is certainly the most famous. He was a genius, he was prolific, he was famous during his day, and among classical composers he is often considered the best. To this day he is a household name, and his operas, symphonies, and chamber music are commonly performed. Bach died (1750) before Mozart was born (1756). He composed in Baroque (1600-1750) counterpoint. He produced an inhuman amount of music, as in he had to be writing constantly. While he lived he was not famous, but he was known in smaller musical circles. After his death, his music was mostly forgotten, and baroque counterpoint in general was outdated and not often used in the classical style. It wasn't until the 19th century that he was rediscovered, having his works re-published and performed. His music is subtle and complex, maybe I can describe it as a crystalline mathematical profoundness. Among many Bach is considered the GOAT. I could believe that a super-intelligent former human AI musician would find his music interesting. Whereas Mozart was merely the greatest Classical composer. But of course, Sterling is also lobbing a grenade into an infinite flame war about which music is better. So that's a fun way to rile up the Mozart stans.
- Jenz 3y ago
  I've never seen any convincing argument that Bach is somehow, as frequently claimed, the epitome of baroque music. It seems to be a largely romantic sentiment, that arose moreso to Mendelssohn's circumstances than to anything unique in Bach's music— Mendelssohn simply did not have the access to many other high baroque composers' music to draw from. Aside from how surprisingly late he is, there are many comparable figures to Bach. I am tired and will content myself with simply mentioning some early baroque composers that, for anyone curious, sadly do not get the spotlight they deserve: Ascanio Mayone (c.1565–1627), Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643), Tarquinio Merula (1595-1665), Johann Jacob Froberger (1616-1667), Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi (1624-1687), Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (c.1644-1704).