We started 5 minutes late which is understandable considering it was our first day in the music library. We were listening to the amazing Liebestod by Wagner but unfortunately got a little caught up in the way the singer looked. This is the downside of youtube for music learning. Music is primarily an aural art and it can be anathema to judge the visual aspects of music over the aural. Yet human nature cannot help but address the visual as well. So it is with caution that we use youtube for some of our listening moments.
Meanwhile, I maintain that Tristan und Isolde is the turning point in music study. It is thoroughly Romantic in all respects but points us to the heavy chromaticism and blurring of tonality that happens later. Plus it is one of the most glorious works in the entire repertory of music literature. Further study is warranted.
We took the test, did the listening, talked about some web resources, and discussed Neo-classicism in the 20th century. Most of the class involved taking a test. Lucky for me, we have plenty to learn. If the students already had complete and accurate knowledge of everything in music, there would be no need for a teacher!
So the question for today is: Why do we tend to prefer tonality over atonality? Does God prefer tonality?
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I don't believe EVERYONE prefers tonal music to atonal music. However, the majority of the world does seem to prefer tonal music. My guess for this is that we are raised with music that has a tonal center. God likes everything that is composed for his glory...whether tonal or not.
ReplyDeletePeople probably find tonality easier to understand, as it has order and predictability, something that most people enjoy. As we know from most pop music, the most popular music of the moment is easy and requires little thought to understand. Atonal music or anything considered "unconventional" calls for thought. I think whether or not you prefer tonality to atonality (or have the ability to appreciate both) depends on what you believe the purpose of music is. Is it something to fill in the background or something to actively occupy your mind?
ReplyDeletep.s. I could have cared less about the singer's mouth, as I was paying attention to the emotion in her eyes as she expressed the music.
;)
I think that it's a combination of tonality being easier to comprehend and also because it has become more of the focus in our culture with pop music.
ReplyDeleteI also think it's because we have become comfortable with tonal music. There is something about tonality that for most creates a sense of comfort and relaxation, whether it's pop music or classical. Atonal music kind of puts people on edge and makes them feel really awkward. I could be out of line saying this, but I know that was, and at times can still be, my own impression of some atonal music. Personally I believe myself to be a die-hard fan of the Romantic Era which may be why I am so inclined to tonal music versus atonal, but I am not completely close-minded to different sounds, tonal or atonal, in music.
I do not believe God has a preference as far as tonality is concerned. I agree once again with Samantha's statement. God loves everything that is written, played, and sung for Him with a humble servant's heart.