Lynn Harrell - Webern: "Drei kleine Stucke" (Three little pieces), Op. 11

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Lynn Harrell, Cello & Victor Asuncion, Piano. Live at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, Santa Monica California. Saturday, October 9, 2010. Webern: "Drei kleine Stucke" (Three little pieces), Op. 11. Audio and Video Produced and Engineered by Matthew Snyder of Matthew Snyder Recordings

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lynn Harrell
• Cello
• Victor Asuncion
• Piano
• Op. 11
• Matthew Snyder
• The Broad Stage

[physphilmusic]

@davehshs In that case we do not really disagree that much concerning the role of music. The major difference is that after I carefully analyzed this piece by Webern, I discovered that there is a genuine "soul" in it. I haven't discovered it John Cage or Boulez, so I can't say anything about them. But I honestly have discovered it in this piece.

[davehshs]

@physphilmusic One other thing: I don't view music as a drug to induce 'good' feelings. Some of the best music arouses great sadness, which can be cleansing and cathartic, but not necessarily pleasant. Webern's music just annoys me, as does John Cage's. I find no 'soul' in it, just cleverness. Of course, 'soul' is a very subjective term, but if you find it totally meaningless, then that perhaps best defines our differing outlooks on music.

[davehshs]

@physphilmusic I've never known anyone who embraced ALL music in all genres and doubt that such a person exists. So, even though I love the large majority of classical music, I'll continue to 'enjoy' the absence of Webern's music in my life, without feeling guilty for failing to rise to the level of those who appreciate Webern's musical cleverness. The structure of music may be mathematical, but it's essence has always transcended that level, and, ultimately, it's personal.

[davehshs]

@physphilmusic You seem to view 'entertainment' in a narrow, pejorative way. I prefer the word 'enjoyment.' IMO, everyone who listens to music enjoys it in some manner, at some level, even if it's only a mental appreciation for its mathematical elegance, such as with Bach's 'Art of the Fugue.' But most music has an emotional component, and it is at that level that most humans have always enjoyed music. 

[physphilmusic]

@davehshs And after listening to Webern, Schoenberg, and even Stockhausen and Varese, I can tell you with a straight face that the music isn't emotionally "harmful". It might be emotionally painful sometimes, but I view it as necessary to understand human nature better. I don't only treat music as a drug which induces only good feelings in me. If I did, I would listen only to Mahler's 2nd and pop music. You seem to view music that way.

[physphilmusic]

@davehshs The reason why I bothered to listen to it for 30 times is because I know there are tons of people smarter and more musically informed than me who are able to understand it. These people I'm talking about have a better understanding of ALL composers, not just atonal ones. They appreciated even Bach and Mozart better than I did. If they said that Webern is also a brilliant composer, why should I dispute them on the flimsy basis that the music isn't appealing at face value?

[physphilmusic]

@davehshs I WAS indeed talking about emotional catharsis/resolution. Incidentally, this Webern piece happens to end on a more positive emotional note than say, Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony, which ends in utter despair. Do you think someone enjoying that symphony is a "masochist" then?

[davehshs]

@physphilmusic I'm referring to emotional catharsis/resolution. I don't think anyone will experience that from Webern. I do wonder why you felt so compelled to learn to like Webern as to make yourself listen to a piece 30 times. The large number of masochists in the world is proof that humans can learn to like that which is physically and emotionally painful and harmful. I'm simply not motivated to listen repeatedly to music that is so emotionally and physically disturbing.

[physphilmusic]

@davehshs Lastly, I also only got the hang of Webern after listening to this piece over 30 times - so perhaps you might want to give it more of a try. I rarely understand pieces after only 2-3 listens

[physphilmusic]

@davehshs Webern's music doesn't sound so harsh if you try to open up your mind and ears and stop associating certain kinds of harmonies/intervals as "unpleasant". Clearly you already have a very well-defined taste in music, but still, it's really exciting to see what happens when you challenge yourself and try to convince yourself that Webern is beautiful. It will never be as beautiful as Bach is (for me even), but something amazing will still result.