Re: Symphony Metaphor

[Roger Key <roger.k2@ukonline.co.uk>]

Hi All,
I have been following this thread with some interest, watching it develop
from some simple questions about a metephor into a more indepth discussion
on the likes and dislikes of the US (and possibly others) in relation to a
symphony and jazz etc.
For my tuppence....

All the music discussed so far is based on standards.  Jazz (in the main)
is not so disconstructed that it breaks away from the basics of (western)
music.  Ditto the music of the east and far east / orient that is based on
different structures that are standard within its environment.  After all
disconstructed music is just noise.

So each of our ensembles has an aim, it involves people, materials,
equipment and methods.  Depending on the standard of the players the
conbination of these will ensure differing levels of effectivness.  But
what is the aim(s) of the music.  Many of the posts have indicated that the
aim of the system is to please the audience.  Many musicians that I know
play for their own pleasure, even when they play in public.  I my self get
real pleasure from a favourable responce from the audience - and if I were
to be truthful, the reason I like to 'please' the audience is so I receive
that responce.  For me the aim of playing music is 1. Personal pleasure and
2. Audience responce.  Pleasing the audience is a means to an end.  I will
not speak for others but most people will become musicians to address a
personal desire to make music, not to please an audience.  Pleasing an
audience comes later, and then to what end.

In the list above I left out environment (purposefuly).  The environment is
critical to a great performance, and this environment can have the audience
as a integral and critical part.  Thus the audience are part of the system
and the ultimate aim of the music lies outside the system, thus can the aim
of the system (music) be to bring pleasure to the audience.

I think not.  Pleasing the audience is something that must be acheived to
allow this aim to be met.

Using the orchestra / group as a metaphore for a system, or even an example
of a system is one that many people in 'business' are comfortable with.
Identifying the aim of the system is as fraught as that of a 'business'.  I
feel that identifing the aim of music as 'to please the audience' to be
analogous to the aim of 'business' as 'to make a profit'.  They are the
obvious main, super, aim but a small amouint of thought indicates that they
are a minor aim that MUST be acheived to allow the main aim to be acheived.
So what is the aim / s of music?

Roger C. Key
Prescient - The Whole as One
(44) 01639 871062
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