Tsaichovsky

Of classical music, there is no shortage of opinions, so I will offer no new ones here. Rather, in continuing our discussion on the definition of classic, let us consider music. The technical definition of classical music is any piece written in a certain style between 1750 and 1820. This is called the "Classical Era." However, classical music entails much more than Mozart and Haydn. I suppose most Americans would classify anything from Gregorian Chant to John Williams as classical. Others would limit it to orchestral music. While rehearsing Mendelssohn's Elijah in my college choir, I was appalled to learn that Mendelssohn's works were not considered classic by many because they lacked originality. I have often said that I did not become a composer because Mendelssohn has already written everything I would have written. But what is music in the first place? Music is art expressed through sound. Thus, a piece may be classic on two accounts. Either it calls a new sound music or it finds a new expression. Hence, Beethoven's 9th gets the nod for adding the voice as an orchestral instrument (anyone who has sung this piece knows all too well how different his use of voice is from the composer of an opera or oratorio). As for expression, what piece better depicts the triumph of victory in battle than Tsaichovsky's 1812 Overture? My first remembered exposure to classical music was this piece. At age 4, my parents bought me an LP containing this heroic work. I only ever listened to the side 2, because that was the one that had the cannon. To this day, I still get chills when the cannon go off. For that matter, every Tsaichovsky opus affects me likewise. I just listened to his 5th Symphony, and again I was captivated. I know very little of the technical aspects of Tsaichovsky's music. Whether he was muscially ingenuis or not I cannot say. His music has a way of sounding familiar from the first hearing. As the piece progresses, I never have to say, "that's not how it should go!" Somehow, he always knows how I think it should go. Yet, his mastery does not cease with familiarity. Each piece is a journey that transcends earthly reality. This, for me, is the difference between classical music and folk music. Folk music is familiar but not transcendant. Contemporary music is transcendant but not familiar. Therefore, the definition of classical music is perspective-dependent. From my vantage, Tsaichovsky was the pinnacle, and music has since not been the same.

What is Classic?

In my junior year of high school, the purpose of one semester's term paper was to render a verdict as to whether or not a piece of literature should be considered "classic." This question resurfaced yesterday in our semi-annual excursion to the cinema. Every so often, I hear that a newly made movie will be to my liking. Yesterday's feature was Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice. Is Pride and Prejudice a classic? Considering that it adorns the shelves of many a contemporary English-speaking home two hundred years after publication bodes well for a positive decision. But why is it still read? Most of the social customs of the day are outdated; the English country gentry who occupy most of the novel's limelight were a dying breed even in the day of writing; and the storyline is not so original that it could not be conceived from anyone who learned Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast from a young age. Yet somehow Jane Austen manages to blend societal parody and true love in such a way that makes young ladies pine and cynics chuckle. Her witty language puts modern romance novelists to shame. Furthermore, the manner in which she employs social norms to cause suspense and to conceal the characters' true feelings for each other makes her a masterful artist indeed. But should these crafts of subtlety place her among the ranks of Chaucer, Dante, and Tolstoy? I dare say not yet. The true classic element of Pride and Prejudice is that every Western romance contains a bit of Miss Bennett's curious reflection and a dab of Darcy's mystery. Which brings me to my favorite part of yesterday's movie experience. We saw the matinee, which meant most of the audience appeared married and over seventy. Walking out, I, along with all the other men in the room, carried ourselves with a little more grace and acted with a little more civility as we escorted our brides out into the street.

Baby Makes Bloggers

Welcome to "Classic Kinsinger: Queries about Life and Quantum Chemistry (a.k.a. baby, books, Bogart, and puns - and other serious matter)" or "Classic Kinsinger: Quantized Queries about Life" for short. This blog is the creation of Chris and Maria Kinsinger for the primary purpose of sharing photos, thoughts, and memories with our family and friends, particularly related to "Baby K," who should soon be making his or her eagerly anticipated arrival into the world. In addition to updates on Baby K, we hope to enjoy sharing our miscellaneous musings on life - and quantum chemistry, of course. Thank you for exploring our blog! We hope you enjoy your visit.