17- Patterns And Meaning In Music - With Samuel Andreyev
Sep 26, 2018
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Samuel Andreyev, a Canadian composer living in France, discusses abstraction and reference in music, the functions of music, and the state of music today. They explore the concept of abstraction in music, the fragmentation of musical styles, the divide between high art and low art, and the presence of universal patterns in stories, images, and music. They also discuss the role of art in liturgical music, creating unity and community, and shaping teenage identity.
Music is about movement and sound, using different movements to evoke states of ecstasy and obsession.
Art needs to be grounded in vernacular expression to remain meaningful and bridge the gap between high art and popular culture.
Contemporary music faces challenges in finding a balance between meaningful art grounded in vernacular expression and embracing the possibilities of contemporary practice.
Deep dives
The significance of movement and sound in music
Fundamentally, music is about movement and sound. It can manifest as concrete movement, such as dance, or more abstract movement. Movement can create a sense of displacement and is an essential part of the musical experience. Sound is the vehicle for this movement and is irreducible in music. Different genres of music use different movements, from regular and pattern-oriented rhythms to more unpredictable and complex patterns. The significance of movement in music is a driving force that can evoke states of ecstasy and obsession.
The importance of grounding music in vernacular expression
Art needs to be grounded in some form of vernacular expression, which can be everyday experiences or cultural practices. This grounding ensures that the art remains meaningful and resonates with a broad range of people. While globalization and access to different cultures pose challenges in creating vernacular art on a global scale, it is essential to maintain a connection to the everyday and to cultural practices. Vernacular art is often distinct from commercial art, and in contemporary times, it becomes crucial to bridge the gap between high art and popular culture.
The challenges of contemporary music and art
Contemporary music and art face challenges in a world where anything seems possible. The proliferation of different movements and styles has led to fragmentation and a loss of a unifying cultural music. The distinction between popular and commercial art further complicates the landscape. Finding a balance between creating meaningful art grounded in vernacular expression while embracing the possibilities of contemporary practice is essential. The search for universal patterns and connections in music and art can help navigate this complex terrain.
The quest for meaning and significance in art
Finding meaning and significance in art is a fundamental pursuit. While contemporary art offers vast possibilities, it is essential to strive for art that resonates with people on a deeper level. Manufacturing meaning is challenging, and without it, the art may become meaningless or short-lived in its cultural value. Striving for meaningfulness and aiming for a connection with the audience can bring an enduring quality to the art, transcending stylistic investigations or fleeting cultural trends.
The significance of perspective in interpreting and preserving art
The podcast discusses the importance of perspective when looking at art from previous times. It emphasizes the critical apparatus that has been brought to bear upon previous art, leading to the selection and preservation of certain works. It highlights the extraordinary nature of preserving and interpreting objects that are thousands of years old. However, it acknowledges that this process takes time and that we are seeing fragments of the past, reconstituting it from the vantage point of today.
The challenges of navigating contemporary music and its lack of perspective
The podcast explores the challenges of approaching contemporary music. It highlights the vast amount of music being produced today, making it difficult to keep up and evaluate its quality. The absence of a filtering process, similar to the critical appraisal of older art, makes distinguishing good music from mediocre or forgettable music a challenge. The importance of having a broad understanding of different music genres and categories is emphasized to navigate the sea of contemporary music effectively.
I discuss with Samuel Andreyev who is a Canadian composer living in France. We discuss the question of abstraction and reference in music, the functions of music as well it the state of music today. Samuel has a youtube channel where he analyzes music theory and looks at particular artists and their compositions. https://www.youtube.com/user/temporalfissure Original video: https://youtu.be/tCKNKlJNDVo Support this channel: patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pageauvideos paypal: paypal.me/JonathanPageau website: http://www.pageaucarvings.com facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathanpageau twitter: https://twitter.com/PageauCarvings
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