This post is actually about a piece I really don't like. There are many reasons why I don't like it. Here's a recording to which I urge you not to listen. I have certain prejudices against pieces that are very very popular, particularly when they are so popular that they are widely-known even among people who I don't consider to appreciate music very much, as irrational as that may sound. However, when it comes to this piece, it goes further than that. This man conveys the message very clearly. The piece is mainly just... boring, repetitive, predictable, and plenty of other similar descriptors. Also, it's sheer "prettiness." Not only this, but it is the same prettiness over and over again... 54 times (see picture). Where's the tension? Where are the climaxes? Sure, it's baroque, but even then they had some sense of musicality and the swings of emotions that would later feature far more prominently in the romantic period. And sure, there's some not-terrible counterpoint involved, but it certainly doesn't match the feats of the masters like Bach, Handel, Telemann, etc. So why is it so much more popular? Who knows, but I consider it an unfortunate circumstance, given my opinion of the work.
10 comments:
Having played this piece as an instrument other that the violin, I can confirm that the experience is awful... just awful.
great video
"DUDE MAX OH MY GOD THAT PIECE IS SO GOOD"
-Lokesh
"Lokesh, you're an idiot"
-everyone else
I agree with Ariel...here's a similar viewpoint from a cellist:
http://vodpod.com/watch/1833491-pachelbels-canon-collegehumor-video
Yeah, that video is really funny. I hyperlinked to it in the words "This man," actually.
Also, you're completely correct, Jon. Probably the most accurate assessment of the situation I've seen so far.
Max, totally agree with you about this piece. It always makes me feel like I've eaten too much candy. However, check out this version on "period" instruments. It is much more interesting and contains the "gigue" section that is always omitted in modern versions. Their approach to the rythm is very different and there isn't all that surypy vibrato in the strings. Also notice the improvised ornaments played by the harpsichord continuo and repeated sections in the fiddles (the practice of the day)which adds more interest to the piece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFysFZwrzfs
Paul Claerhout
Paul -- thanks for the video. My dad said he knew about that group and that they are generally really good. I definitely think they did the best they could with the canon. I was interested to listen to the gigue, I hadn't actually heard that before. I did definitely appreciate the improvisations, I wish more performers of Baroque music would do that, both in performance and in recordings.
Max, and everyone else, I hate Canon as much as every other musician. But you also know I've basically sold my soul over to Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. They make Canon amazing. They have two versions, one in the kickass show they did a few years ago, Harmonic Journey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHo4wgLmqo8
The other one is the one they do in the horn arcs in the lot before they take the field. That weird noise at the beginning is the corps doing individual warmups. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppDVzNNLdCM
For good measure, here's their take on Serenade for Strings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggvSek6XZZ0
Please, speakers up to 11.
Hey ahry! maybe you should start your own blog.
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