L. Berio/S. Rattle & CBSO: Sinfonia. III Scherzo (i)

[MjoEm32]

There's Webern too - the violin solo v near the end comes from - I *think* the second cantata

[ClassicHolic]

what are they talking about?

[mchlcooper]

This is a wonderful example, I think, of how postmodernism can engage with the phenomenon of conversation. Here, the scaffolding is of course the Scherzo from Mahler's Second Symphony. The dense web of verbal quotations engages in complex polyphony with an equally dense web of musical quotations, and all are in conversation with the Mahler scaffolding. But no two listeners are likely to construct the same dialog out of this series -- each creates his/her own conversation!

[charkiman]

@mchlcooper There is something I cant understand, why is this "Sinfonia" of Berio postmodern?, why should it be clasified as a postmodern musical composition?. Witch are the reasons for that?

[mchlcooper]

@charkiman Vielen Dank für die Frage. Die Sinfonia – allenfalls der 3. Satz – ist meiner Meinung nach als “postmoderne” zu verstehen, indem der Begriff Postmodernismus vor allem die radikale Instabilität von Sinn und Bedeutung bekräftigt, so daß Komponente und Äußerungen, die historisch betrachtet ohne sinnvolle Zusammenhang existieren, im Rahmen eines neues Kunstwerkes ohne jegliche Erklärung bzw. Versinnlichung zusammengefügt werden können.

[coolguy9610]

@charkiman It's because it embraces older music and conveys emotion and humor. It's not trying to be elusive - everything is there to see. Like when they say, "I have a present for you" and then play a quote from Boulez. It's hilarious and making fun of modernism, as opposed to kissing its ass. It's a lovely piece.

[dp7653]

@coolguy9610 "I have a present for you" refers directly to the Boulez quote, which is is the first movement of Boulez' "Pli Selon Pli," based on Mallarme's poem, "Don," which in English means "Gift." The reference is humorous, but to be kissing the ass of "Modernism" Berio, as one of the great modernist composers, would have to be in a very uncomfortable and impossible position."