[NewMusic] Book Review - Alex Ross = Gannicide

[matthew at matthewgoodheart.com]

George said:

>>But if it's presented to them as "weird," or "angry new music"
>>or something (like a Terry Gross cute-ified Sun Ra), they are more
>>likely to use that as a filter for their experience.
>
> And of course, that *is* how it is presented. Sure, things would be
> different if things were different, but I'm talking about how things
> are, and how things are is that what I consider serious contemporary
> art is almost always presented with a bunch of bullshit qualifiers and
> excuses.

Yup. But this is a criticism of the presenters, not the audience. So this
is what the NPR staff think themselves, or think that their listeners
need. The "laity," as it were, are responsive to how things are framed.
That is why I'm far more critical of those who present things in a stupid
way than those who don't understand that the unfamiliar stuff they've been
presented with has been framed in an bogus way, which was basically my
point.

> I'm glad that Fox-watching Republicans can appreciate Xenakis. That
> soothes my misanthropy a bit. But the larger question is, will those folks
> get curious enough to go back on their own, or is the one time they are
> prodded into going to a Goodheart show the one time they'll do it?

My experience has been that there are few converts, but a greater
willingness to "live and let live" and respect that that kind of music is
serious and should be presented, which I think is what we should hope for
at the moment. On the other hand, several of their kids (whom I have
taught) have gone on to do some really cool stuff, both listening to and
performing all sorts of good music.

> Or will they spend the next ten years patting themsleves on the back
> for being so adventurous that one time, while religiously watching every
> episode of 24 and the West Wing and America's Top Model?

Right Wing Fundies watch West Wing?

mg