Re: Anti War theme in Jazz

Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2003 21:00:07 GMT
Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote
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"muhal" wrote:
<snip>
> To another extent, art and music are always "about" something, since
> the composer and performer surely had something in mind as they did
> their thing. We can't agree on what, because we need language to fix
> the "about", and composer and performer may not have had words in mind.
>
> The paradox of music is that it communicates regardless of language or
> culture, but at the cost of losing a shared understanding of the
> essence of the communication.
Yes, I think this is the way I see it too. Music
can certainly communicate a mood or a "feeling"
(hard to define, as you point out) by relying on a
learned, shared set of signals as well as (some say)
some that are innate.
But translating this "mood" or "feeling" into an *idea*
that can be represented in written language or speech
adds another layer of randomness and subjectivity.
Carrying this a bit further--and maybe towards silliness--
it occurred to me that "antiwar" music would be the so-
"relaxation" tapes they sell in the local supermarket. If
you're relaxed and in a meditative state, you're not likely
to go out and blow up a supply convoy. "Pro-war" music,
then, might be any music that excites or stimulates passion
or physical activity -- a march, a wild, rockin' blues set, or
a patriotic song.
--
Mike W