We as humans tend to like what is familiar. We all know the people who have particular tastes in fashion, entertainment, sports, topics of discussion, books, and of course, music. People like what they like and depending on their moods, hardly even entertain the notion of something completely new.
What a musician has put the effort into learning might be new and uncomfortable to listen to by someone else. But to that musician, who knows all of the intricacies of the motives and harmonies and perhaps words, and who has spent hours and even years perfecting his performance, that music is wonderful, powerful, and fulfilling. And still, perhaps that music doesn't suit his audience.
TASTE or MOOD or WHIM --- who can account for those?
The music that speaks to someone who is sad or mournful is not the same as the music someone might want to pep them up to exercise or do chores around the house.
I have heard Mack Wilberg say many times, when talking about the music performed by the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, that they perform for everyone. That means they perform a wide VARIETY of songs in a host of styles to try to please as many people as possible.
On tours, the Tabernacle Choir would even allow the audiences to choose the encore numbers from a short list (voting by text). I was always surprised that songs like "Climb Every Mountain" from the Sound of Music or "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel were the most often chosen. These songs have powerful messages of comfort and hope. I suppose, that is a good reason they were chosen. But they were not the showstoppers that could have been chosen from the list.
What a musician has put the effort into learning might be new and uncomfortable to listen to by someone else. But to that musician, who knows all of the intricacies of the motives and harmonies and perhaps words, and who has spent hours and even years perfecting his performance, that music is wonderful, powerful, and fulfilling. And still, perhaps that music doesn't suit his audience.
TASTE or MOOD or WHIM --- who can account for those?
The music that speaks to someone who is sad or mournful is not the same as the music someone might want to pep them up to exercise or do chores around the house.
I have heard Mack Wilberg say many times, when talking about the music performed by the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, that they perform for everyone. That means they perform a wide VARIETY of songs in a host of styles to try to please as many people as possible.
On tours, the Tabernacle Choir would even allow the audiences to choose the encore numbers from a short list (voting by text). I was always surprised that songs like "Climb Every Mountain" from the Sound of Music or "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel were the most often chosen. These songs have powerful messages of comfort and hope. I suppose, that is a good reason they were chosen. But they were not the showstoppers that could have been chosen from the list.
Composers and song writers have an unenviable task when trying to get their original music heard. Unless they catch the ear of some sympathetic person or group who can influence others, their music or songs may just languish forever in a file somewhere. Until a composer's works are known and established, they may not get noticed, let alone, performed. It's a "catch 22" for sure.
It's always nice for a composer to have a promoter to help market their work. Yet still, who can predict when a new work will come onto the scene at the exact right time to be accepted and hailed by an audience? Alas, some works become popular long after the composer is dead. A sobering thought.
Here's another thought --- remember that ALL MUSIC WAS ONCE NEW MUSIC.
It's always nice for a composer to have a promoter to help market their work. Yet still, who can predict when a new work will come onto the scene at the exact right time to be accepted and hailed by an audience? Alas, some works become popular long after the composer is dead. A sobering thought.
Here's another thought --- remember that ALL MUSIC WAS ONCE NEW MUSIC.
Here's an upbeat tune in SATB, SAB, and Flute Choir versions looking forward to the Christmas season. Ring Glad Christmas Bells
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