AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
How to Become Famous with Cass Sunstein
Thinkers & Ideas
Exploring the Notions of Greatness and Recognition in the World of Music
Greatness in music is often intertwined with cultural recognition, as illustrated by the case of Johann Sebastian Bach, who was not widely acknowledged during his lifetime but gained prominence through the efforts of later admirers like Mendelssohn. The appreciation of Bach's work speaks to the deeper impact he has had on music and taste, as our judgments of excellence are influenced by his contributions. However, this raises important questions about the historical context of artistic recognition—what is deemed 'the greatest' can be subjective and shaped by societal influences over time. For instance, the Mona Lisa's late elevation to iconic status serves as a reminder that appreciation can evolve. Acknowledging that artists like Bach or Jane Austen required external validation for recognition does not negate their greatness; these dual aspects of merit and recognition coexist and contribute to our understanding of what constitutes 'the greatest' in art and music.
00:00
Transcript
Episode notes
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode