I would definitely read this book. Neither a musician nor critic, I just enjoy a wide range of music with a few notable exceptions. Years ago we lay-people had the benefit of album liner notes to inform us about a work or body or work being performed on an LP. That's long gone and we're the poorer for it, I think.
So I'll agree that we still need people like Ross to continue informing us. And I will now choose to stay and listen to new works when I go to a symphony performance and try to keep an open mind.
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The probelm here is one of definition. Some people find modern music 'difficult.' But we have always had music that... [MORE]
kevin o connell
Oct 29, 2007 06:58
I would definitely read this book. Neither a musician nor critic, I just enjoy a wide range of music with...
Morgan Sheridan
Oct 1, 2007 23:02
If Adam Kirsch dislikes modern and contemporary music, that is certainly his right. But conservative taste should not simply be... [MORE]
Reginald Shepherd
Oct 1, 2007 20:19
Interesting article,but I do not agree with the statement that the classical canon is"essentially closed"
In fact,new works by... [MORE]
robert berger
Sep 29, 2007 11:56
As a very common man -nearly a nonogenarian - soon to step out of this wonderful experience of life ,I... [MORE]
Patrick Crowe
Sep 28, 2007 00:28
I'll take a look at Ross' book, but based on this review I'm not very optimistic. His apparently non-judgmental approach... [MORE]
Lester Hunt
Sep 27, 2007 15:16
Neither is scoring for 50 strings individually, which would strike some composers as being both purposeful and meaningful. Otherwise, why... [MORE]
James Keepnews
Sep 27, 2007 11:21
Mr Keepnews' bilious response to a generous review of a generous book is a reminder of how and why the... [MORE]
Bruce Williams
Sep 27, 2007 23:56
This razor is best kept whetted and gleaming. Its purpose is to distinguish positive modern art from the mere performance... [MORE]
Todd Jackson
Sep 30, 2007 13:05
I have precisely zero interest in what Boulez said fifty years ago, much less serialism, towards which I suppose it... [MORE]