What would the great classical composers (Beethoven, Strauss etc) think of great modern classical music, like?

Question

the theme to star wars, or ET, etc.

I think the theme to Star Wars is awesome, and I've got it on repeat at the moment. But would such as Tchaikovsky or Maher agree, were they to be alive today?

...you see - I CAN write a sensible question when I apply myself.

Answer 1

It's a sad day when we consider the theme to Star Wars to be "great modern classical music." I love the movie too (at least, the original three), and the music does a wonderful job of assisting in the story-telling, but it is assuredly NOT great modern classical music.

As for really great modern classical music, I'd recommend you listen to (in stream of consciousness order) John Adams, Luciano Berio, Edison Denisov, Elliott Carter, Gyorgy Ligeti, Arvo Part, Karel Husa, Pierre Boulez, Alfred Schnittke, Luigi Nono, Witold Lutoslawski (yeah!), and Sofia Gubaidulina.

I can't tell you what Beethoven/Mahler/Strauss (assuming Richard, right?) etc would think of this music. But I'm sure they themselves would also be writing music that sounds a great deal different than the music of theirs we know. Compare Beethoven's 1st to the late quartets, or Mahler's 1st to his 9th symphony...then extrapolate the directions that those guys might have gone in the next 100 years! Wow!

Answer 2

Don't confuse the soundtrack music being written by composers such as John Williams, Danny Elfman, etc., for real classical music being written today. The soundtrack music of Star Wars, etc. was written to imitate the sound of the music in the old sci-fi movies and movie theater serials (some of which was actually music of classical composers). John Williams succeeded quite well in his intent.

By the way, John Williams has composed several Concertos, a Symphony, a Musical and a number of other pieces of real "classical" music in addition to his many film scores.

For a list of real modern classical composers check here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_21st_century_classical_composers

Since you asked about these particular composers, I think Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Beethoven and Strauss would be very excited by some of the music being written and performed today. Especially Beethoven, since in his later music he pushed the envelope in harmony and form and paved the way for the Romantic era composers. They would also be "blown away" by the level of performance of today's ensembles, especially at the high school and university levels!

By the way Neil, I too think that the scores to Star Wars, Star Trek, Batman and others are awesome for what they are intended to do, and they are among some of my favorites.

Musician,composer,teacher.

Answer 3

The older composers (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, etc) would not think it is music at all. it would contain none of the forms and structures they felt normal to music (melody, development, variations, identifiable structure). Later composers (Mahler, Richard Strauss) would recognize it as advanced forms in harmony and structure; they may not like it, but they would appreciate it.

Film music (such as John William's scores) is modeled after late romantic music, and all composers (including Leonard Bernstein) "borrowed" themes and motifs from composers of that period. The major sources were Wagner, Mahler, Bruckner, and Puccini, since they stressed the dramatic element needed for movies. Some film scores, especially in the 40's actually were more "modern", but the trend has been to go back to the older romantics.

Answer 4

One year at the beginning of last century, a concert of Schoenberg's music was going on in Vienna and the public was whistling and shouting terribly. Gustav Mahler, who was sitting in front and was one of the sponsors, stood up and said to the loudest of them:"If you dislike, you can leave. Let them go on." And the protester:"I booed your symphonies too".
Today Mahler is a classic, Schoenberg a visionary innovator and Jurassic Park theme a don't-know-what.The iron curtain is a moving one and in the absence of one dominating culture, like in the past, the global picture is blurred. Some write electronic music and find Bach more interesting than Star Wars.
More, if Mahler or Tchaikovski were to live today, they'd find one million things to understand and accept prior to judging their colleagues !

Answer 5

(Good job on the sensible question! ;-P )
Probably if they heard any John Williams, their first reaction would be: "Wait- I wrote that first!"

Sorry, I just have a thing against Williams. He makes plagiarism a profession. I'm betting that the farther forward you get (i.e. Romantic era and onward) the more they would appreciate the music. The way the music develops, chord structures, melodies, etc. are more similar to that than, say, Baroque or even Classical era.

Then again, I'm not a professional. That's just my opinion. Thanks for the great question!

Answer 6

they would be composing film music too...all the great composers have an awareness of commercial applications and realities. composers tend to be very wrapped up in their own artistry..have a look into the 'rivalry' between Walton and Britten in the 1950s..both composers would say it was a media hyped sensation that had no influence on them as artists..do you believe it. 'Behind the Facade' Susana Walton makes very interesting reading

Answer 7

I know if Holst heard John Williams he would think he is just passing off his music as his.