***Matrix Collision Theory | 54 comments (54 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Sound (none / 0)

I probably listen to Andreas Wollenweider more than anyone else - so put me down as an electrifed harp lover

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 21st, 2006 at 10:24:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sound (none / 0)

Ah, Vollenweider and his "amiable harp" as a music critic in El Pais once put it.

Personally, I listen mostly to instrumental music, and when it comes to the evocative aspect of music I just can't get the classical "symphonic poems" or what you could call "narrative" or "descriptive" music. It's mostly abstract instrumental music that appeals to me, and its effect is certainly not "evocative".

I find Vollenweider's "Book of Roses" successfully "evocative" however.

Nothing is 'mere'. — Richard P. Feynman

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Aug 21st, 2006 at 10:28:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sound (none / 1)

So I'd like to know what this abstract instrumental music does do to you.

You may be taking 'evocation' too literally in the meaning of reminding/calling to mind, whereas I see it more as putting yourself/or being put, in a mental space that is experience rather than information or a sensory awakening rather than an intellectual awakening.

And then we get into a semantic discussion of what is information ;-)

Music is a repeatable experience with little 'extinction by habituation'. We never get tired of plugging in to 220 v AC - we need the power. We plug into music the same way. It is not information and not story narrative (even though some songs tell a story)

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 21st, 2006 at 11:24:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sound (none / 0)

I suppose I was misremembering your use of "evocation" in connection with music: you wer opposing evocation to representation.

One thing I have not cogitated so broadly is music and how we find the meaning in sound. I don't know enough about the physiological processes. The interesting thing about music though is that it doesn't exist in 'real life', in the same way that you can compare a portrait (of a living person) with the real person, or look at sunflowers in the garden and then look at van Goghs 'Sunflowers'. All music is a construct - it doesn't refer to anything that exists in Nature, it refers only to our musical experience. It is pure evocation.

Anyway, at best instrumental music gives me shivers.

Nothing is 'mere'. — Richard P. Feynman

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Aug 21st, 2006 at 01:38:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sound (none / 0)

I don't see much music as being representational or figurative, in the painting sense. Very little, in fact. There's nothing to represent except feelings - and that is evocation.

You can't be me, I'm taken

by Sven Triloqvist on Mon Aug 21st, 2006 at 03:48:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sound (none / 1)

I once saw Debussy's La Mer performed live and I could see the glistening drops catching the sun as the wind sheared them off the waves.

I'm also worryingly good at telling people what was happening in their environment when they were working on a track.

Music is often more figurative than people realise.

But it's mostly done by association with onomatopeia and metaphor. Sampling has killed it, because there's no need to suggest something indirectly with orchestral colours when you can use the sound directly.

This is a shame. It's an impressive skill, and an underappreciated one.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Mon Aug 21st, 2006 at 08:21:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sound (none / 0)

shivers...of delight?

does vocal music have the opposite effect?

make you want to strip?

<snark>

The power of knowledge is in mortal combat with the knowledge of power. It really is that simple... That's the Edenic apple we are all munching on.

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Mon Aug 21st, 2006 at 09:52:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Sound (none / 0)

i hate plugging in to 220v...it reminds me of my enthrallment into an energy vassal-state.

they are the enemy, and they are milking us.

squeeze power, baby

now i know how it feels to be a tit...

udderly fuelish

The power of knowledge is in mortal combat with the knowledge of power. It really is that simple... That's the Edenic apple we are all munching on.

by melo (melometa4(at)gmail.com) on Mon Aug 21st, 2006 at 09:51:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

***Matrix Collision Theory | 54 comments (54 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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