How open minded can a classical musician be?

[opium_64]

I mean, I'm finding myself attracted to all kinds of music. I know a lot of classical musicians listen to popular music too, but could never understand how a classical pianist can go from playing Chopin to Rock! I don't know. I was also thinking about contacting old friends from school, but you feel like you have nothing in common with them at all, yet I feel there has been something missing for a long time, and it may well be them.

[pianoman53]

Pop/rock musicians are jerks, that should be living on a small island somewhere near Texas, where they could sit and be stupid together.

Some jazz is ok, but that's where I draw the line..!

[sevencircles]

I mean, I'm finding myself attracted to all kinds of music. I know a lot of classical musicians listen to popular music too, but could never understand how a classical pianist can go from playing Chopin to Rock!

Some rockmusicians have skills that match the greatest classical soloist. The electric guitarist Steve Vai is propably the best example I can think of right now. He can read and perform difficult avantgarde scores as well. Another example is Jordan Rudess, a Julliard graduate that started  to play keyboard for a band called Dream Theater.  Vitalij Kuprij is a great pianist that has a "double career" as both a classical performer and rockmusician.

[nanabush]

I find I'm quite in a rut with this concept.

On one hand, I'll listen to Radiohead, Tool, Metallica, Blink 182... I'll get laughed at by snooty students who "only listen to classical" (said while wearing a suit, drinking a glass of scotch, in a high intellect tone lol)

On the other hand, if any of my friends hear me listening to the Ravel G major Concerto (which is constantly on when I have my iPod), they'll be like "oh god, what are you listening to?!"

I don't understand the world.  Some music that isn't as harmonically expansive as Debussy still has some great moments.  On the other hand, some 'master work' classical music is simply boring to me and I'd rather listen to something easier on the ears.  Why does someone need to interject and call me out on that?

Different musical genres have made such distinct factions, it's nearly like tribes (some of which have banded together)... hearing a classical person bashing rock, or the other way around, is about as annoying as two people debating about religion.

That being said: I'm a very open minded musician; I try to enjoy each genre, although there are  some that annoy me (I've tried to listen to 'the new hot 89.9' station, which only plays the same 10 pop chart toppers, but that's where I draw the line).

[ionian_tinnear]

I try to be open-minded.  There's very high-quality in nearly all genres.  Progressive 'bands' like Dream Theatre, Symphony X, Kansas, etc, produce very interesting work.  Very classical, except not in a 100 - 300 year old style.  They, like the masters of old, are building upon those that came before them.  I'm not saying these bands are 'masters' like bach, chopin, beethoven, etc, that remains to history to decide.  Few of the masters were as famous in their day as they are now.

Piano masters from Rock/Progressive/Jazz genre:
   Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Jordan Rudess, Michael Pinnella, Keith Jarrett

These guys, and many others, are just as good pianists as many classical performers.  They just are more known for modern genres.  Listen to Jarrett's Shoshtakovich Preludes..

Let's not be snobbish because this forum is primarily 'classical' piano, let's embrace the qualities that are the great pianists/musician regardless of genre.

[nanabush]

Exactly.

[sevencircles]

I try to be open-minded.  There's very high-quality in nearly all genres.  Progressive 'bands' like Dream Theatre, Symphony X, Kansas, etc, produce very interesting work.  Very classical, except not in a 100 - 300 year old style.  They, like the masters of old, are building upon those that came before them.  I'm not saying these bands are 'masters' like bach, chopin, beethoven, etc, that remains to history to decide.  Few of the masters were as famous in their day as they are now.

The problem with these bands in general is that their instrumental parts arenīt too interesting. Itīs mostly fast unisonlines that they worked out during jam sessions. I personally think it would sound a lot better if they had a composer writing music for them or perhaps transcribing some classical string quartets or similar it would sound a lot better.

I know that Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater can read and transcribe most classical pieces and i am pretty sure that the rest of the band can sightread as well.

[jesc]

Right now, I'm preparing for a recital. What comes after that I don't know.

But I have no boundaries when it comes to music. It feels like exploration to me. My initial exposure was the 60's and 70's music. Then hopped to the 80's. Those were exposures. I can't remember the number of times I listened to Haydn's serenade. Then came the time I bought a Chopin collection.

But I still immerse myself with other music, Elvis, Beatles, Black Sabbath. I listened to shania Twain, Celine Dione, Spice Girls I'm not afraid to say these (or post it for that matter). It feels like exploring new things every time I cross genres.

I have no boundaries, hours ago I was listening to El Mudo - Chacarron Macarron then got to "Hoppipola" Sigur Ros, ended my listening with "Ghita" Cleopatra Stritan.

Fresh from the garbled words of Chacaron and Louie Louie, I always had to go back to disciplined thinking every time I practice a Scherzo or Concert Etude.

But I have no boundaries, Jerry Goldsmith having the golden almost royal feel, some marches and soothing strings, Hans Zimmer has the most subtle but powerful scores, and James Horner the soundtrack he did for "Glory" that's a classic

I'd bet that a hundred years from now all these "music" will be considered classical in a sense. Well, honestly only those that survive the collective consciousness.

[ionian_tinnear]

I know that Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater can read and ..

Jordan Rudess entered Julliard at 9 year old. I think you learn to read there and a few other things. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Rudess

Keith Jarrett start piano at 3 years old, and later attended the Berklee College of Music. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Jarrett

Rick Wakemen started piano at at 5 and went to the Royal College of Music.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Wakeman

Michael Pinnella started piano at age 4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Pinnella

Except that they play and compose progressive rock music, they sound like many other famous 'classical' pianists and composers of the last few centuries.

Stereotyping is bad, m'kay?

[oversee]

I love to listen to a lot of music from the 50's through today, especially rock, metal, doo wop, etc. I can appreciate great guitarists, singers and drummers. I think these types of music have much to offer. I have never wanted to play this type of music, and whenever they make piano versions of popular songs, I cringe, because they are always simplistic and are missing everything I love about the sounds of bands. What makes bands special is the way all the instruments and voices blend - something you can't reproduce on a single piano.
So the only kind of piano music I like to play is classical. It has the intricacies that make it able to stand on its own, without accompaniment.
The problem with classical music is that all those composers are dead so they will never write another concerto. I don't see any point to being a classical snob. Apocalyptica makes music that is classical and rock at the same time; the sound of those cellos is beautiful.

[dcstudio]

I try to be open-minded.  There's very high-quality in nearly all genres.  Progressive 'bands' like Dream Theatre, Symphony X, Kansas, etc, produce very interesting work.  Very classical, except not in a 100 - 300 year old style.  They, like the masters of old, are building upon those that came before them.  I'm not saying these bands are 'masters' like bach, chopin, beethoven, etc, that remains to history to decide.  Few of the masters were as famous in their day as they are now.

Piano masters from Rock/Progressive/Jazz genre:
   Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Jordan Rudess, Michael Pinnella, Keith Jarrett

These guys, and many others, are just as good pianists as many classical performers.  They just are more known for modern genres.  Listen to Jarrett's Shoshtakovich Preludes..

Let's not be snobbish because this forum is primarily 'classical' piano, let's embrace the qualities that are the great pianists/musician regardless of genre.

Wow, that's was beautifully said...  it's so sad that classical training seems to make us feel that all other kinds of music are somehow lesser.  Vladimir Horowitz once said that if Art Tatum started playing classical music seriously--then Vlad would quit the next day.  "embrace the qualities"    why would anyone  even want to close their mind?--Only open minded people can truly produce music.  wouldn't you agree?

[dcstudio]

Pop/rock musicians are jerks, that should be living on a small island somewhere near Texas, where they could sit and be stupid together.

Some jazz is ok, but that's where I draw the line..!

wow, a lot of anger there pianoman.  It's tough to learn when you are this angry.  Just curious--why did you say a small island near Texas?  Who is in Texas that you feel is "stupid"  and a "jerk"--I would venture to guess that you believe this person plays much better than you.  He must play jazz as well as classical--something I'm sure you feel you are unable to do.  Bet he can improvise, too... with ease.  Careful of what you say here--you just told me volumes about yourself....you invited me right in...so--

so what happened to you in...?  Galveston or Corpus?  maybe South Padre? on which beach did you "draw a line" in the sand and say that you would only play classical music?

hmmm probably Padre and it was spring break.  The jazzer got laid and you didn't... wow you boys are so easy to figure out. Shall I go on? or will you watch what you say here from now on?

Have a nice day! and God Bless YOU!

[pianoman53]

wow, a lot of anger there pianoman.  It's tough to learn when you are this angry.  Just curious--why did you say a small island near Texas?  Who is in Texas that you feel is "stupid"  and a "jerk"--I would venture to guess that you believe this person plays much better than you.  He must play jazz as well as classical--something I'm sure you feel you are unable to do.  Bet he can improvise, too... with ease.  Careful of what you say here--you just told me volumes about yourself....you invited me right in...so--

so what happened to you in...?  Galveston or Corpus?  maybe South Padre? on which beach did you "draw a line" in the sand and say that you would only play classical music?

hmmm probably Padre and it was spring break.  The jazzer got laid and you didn't... wow you boys are so easy to figure out. Shall I go on? or will you watch what you say here from now on?

Have a nice day! and God Bless YOU!

You really didn't see the sarcasm, did you?

[dcstudio]

You really didn't see the sarcasm, did you?

no my friend I only see the truth...

[sevencircles]

Jordan Rudess entered Julliard at 9 year old. I think you learn to read there and a few other things. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Rudess

Keith Jarrett start piano at 3 years old, and later attended the Berklee College of Music. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Jarrett

Rick Wakemen started piano at at 5 and went to the Royal College of Music.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Wakeman

Michael Pinnella started piano at age 4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Pinnella

Except that they play and compose progressive rock music, they sound like many other famous 'classical' pianists and composers of the last few centuries.

Stereotyping is bad, m'kay?

A higher Musical education doesnīt always mean that you are a good sightreader.

Radu Lupu, Josef Hofmann and in particular Lasar Berman were and are all bad sightreaders .