Why are there no great composers anymore?

[ThePresence]

I just watched Amadeus. I realize that the story is heavily fictionalized, but Mozart's complete genius is portrayed rather well. Why is it that nobody composes great symphonies anymore? There are people who are phenomenal musical geniuses today. Is it just that they don't devote their talents to this kind of music (IMO the purest form)?

 

[Vertimus]

Williams?

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Vertimus
Williams?

Oh come on!
A telented guy no doubt, but I've yet to hear him write a great symphony or anything remotely resembling one.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Kanye West? =)

 

[nageov3t]

they have no one to compose for, so they get jobs at Walmart instead.

 

[icejunkie]

Infected Mushroom

 

[timelapse]

Dude we got 50 cent & his crew who take you to the candy shop and celebrate your belthday... :roll:

 

[ThePresence]

You people are making me lose faith in the future of humanity.

 

[Tylanner]

NERD!

FAT BOY SLIM!

lolol

 

[Ronstang]

Demand. Back then those guys were the whole music industry and that is what people WANTED to listen to.

 

[FlakPanzer]

We don't wear tights and powdered wigs anymore jerk face.

 

[cjgallen]

Because nowadays, all the musical geniuses play guitar \m/

 

[Wahsapa]

Originally posted by: FlakPanzer
We don't wear tights and powdered wigs anymore jerk face.

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I just watched Amadeus. I realize that the story is heavily fictionalized, but Mozart's complete genius is portrayed rather well. Why is it that nobody composes great symphonies anymore? There are people who are phenomenal musical geniuses today. Is it just that they don't devote their talents to this kind of music (IMO the purest form)?

You do realize that Mozart etal. where the John Williams and Randy Newman of their day. They wrote for their client it just happens their music has stood the test of time.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: PELarson

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I just watched Amadeus. I realize that the story is heavily fictionalized, but Mozart's complete genius is portrayed rather well. Why is it that nobody composes great symphonies anymore? There are people who are phenomenal musical geniuses today. Is it just that they don't devote their talents to this kind of music (IMO the purest form)?

You do realize that Mozart etal. where the John Williams and Randy Newman of their day. They wrote for their client it just happens their music has stood the test of time.

Yes, I realize that. But the point is that their music stood the test of time because their music was great! Where are the great musical geniuses today?

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: FlakPanzer
We don't wear tights and powdered wigs anymore jerk face.

Thanks for your deep, profound and mature insight. :roll:

 

[thomsbrain]

Philip Glass? clearly different styles, but the guy is a genius, no doubt.

also, ravi shankar is on the level of some of the classic western composers, IMO. but again, different styles.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: PELarson

Originally posted by: ThePresence
I just watched Amadeus. I realize that the story is heavily fictionalized, but Mozart's complete genius is portrayed rather well. Why is it that nobody composes great symphonies anymore? There are people who are phenomenal musical geniuses today. Is it just that they don't devote their talents to this kind of music (IMO the purest form)?

You do realize that Mozart etal. where the John Williams and Randy Newman of their day. They wrote for their client it just happens their music has stood the test of time.

Randy Newman's music sounds all the same (that is when he sings, I hate his voice).

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: FlakPanzer
We don't wear tights and powdered wigs anymore jerk face.

Well, now we have the dimwit point of view...:roll:

Edit-I hear you though (OP). After the Romantic period the music IMO is pretty uninspiring.

 

[Excelsior]

http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95nov/copland.html

 

[Pacfanweb]

Probably have to wait 100 years and see how today's composers are viewed by the folks of the future.

Were Amadeus and Beethoven as well though of when they were alive, or was it years after they died that their music was more popular?

You also have to take into account that music was much newer then; If someone today makes something just as good as one of those, two, it wouldn't be as appreciated because it's already been done.

 

[Nebben]

Well, many composers of that era were basically forced into music from as young as 4 years old, and forced to practice, write and learn about music constantly. They basically did nothing else. That has a lot to do with it.

Now, that would be considered a violation of child labor laws or something...

 

[mb]

Spears

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Probably have to wait 100 years and see how today's composers are viewed by the folks of the future.

Were Amadeus and Beethoven as well though of when they were alive, or was it years after they died that their music was more popular?

From what I understand, Mozart's genius was well appreciated at the time. However, there were other considerations at the time that people took into account, which led to his discredit. But even though he was discredited, disgraced and fallen from favor his music was still wildly popular. It was the PERSON that wasn't.

You also have to take into account that music was much newer then; If someone today makes something just as good as one of those, two, it wouldn't be as appreciated because it's already been done.

I'm not sure about this argument. Music does not have defined borders.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

You also have to take into account that music was much newer then; If someone today makes something just as good as one of those, two, it wouldn't be as appreciated because it's already been done.

I'm not sure about this argument. Music does not have defined borders.

I'm not sure, either...just threw that out there because it seemed to make sense. But really: how long had that type of music been around when Mozart lived, vs. how long it's been around now.
I understand that music in general has nearly always been around, but I'm pretty sure there was no symphony for Jesus to hear back then, was there?