Composers Forum is a daily web log that allows invited contemporary composers to share their thoughts and ideas on any topic that interests them--from the ethereal, like how new music gets created, music history, theory, performance, other composers, alive or dead, to the mundane, like getting works played and recorded and the joys of teaching. If you're a professional composer and would like to participate, send us an e-mail.
Record companies, artists and publicists are invited to submit CDs to be considered for review. Send to: Jerry Bowles, Editor, Sequenza 21, 340 W. 57th Street, 12B, New York, NY 10019
I’m curious to know what S21 readers think of this quote:
“I regard all popular music as irrelevant in the sense that people in 200 years won't be listening to what is being written and played today. I think they will be listening to Beethoven. That's one of the reasons I don't take myself seriously.” -- Elton John
Raises a lot of questions in my mind. First of all, what do you think people will be listening to 200 years from now? Beethoven? Elton John? Something else?
Secondly, do you agree that popular music is irrelevant, by which little Sir John seems to imply that it only speaks to its own time? Is that an odd prerequisite for relevance?
And finally, do you think it’s a good thing that he doesn’t take himself seriously?
posted by Lawrence Dillon
5:05 PM
