[BarbaraGordon]

Of course it's the 1812 OVERTURE....
Are you trying to be difficult???


And yes, teaching classes on the Beatles is absolutely about increasing enrollment in music history classes. Nobody said they were Beethoven. BUT, if you listen to later Beatles...They were incorporating string quartets (beginning with Eleanor Rigby) when the Beach Boys were singing about surfboards.

But then, on the other hand, even Chumbawamba incorporated Clake's Trumpet Voluntary into Tubthumping, so maybe there's not so much to that kind of thing after all...

Originally Posted by creekster

Oh I hate to be picky, but it is the "1812 Overture." For some reason, this piece is almost always paired with "Marche Slave" on recordings, at least back in the day, lathough nowadays you are as likely to see it with the nutcracker suite as naything (which I don't get; a ballet with a celebration of a victory in war? ANything to sell a cd, I suppose).

As to the French guy, I would agree that it is probabyl Saint-Saens. Not too many other French guys get much push here. In fact, right now I can't think of any, but I know there are some.

I agree that Lennon (as well as Lenin, but that is another category) had a certain genius, but I disagree that many music academicians would put his body of work anywhere near the category of great music like Bach or Mozart, etc. Lennon, IMobvioulsyNsoHO, was noteworthy for his creative approach to pop music, his combination of meter, instruments, etc., and some very catchy tunes while avoiding the sappy lyricism of McCartney (but also probably not achieving the same level of success with melody) but he did not advance the form or content of music in any truly significant way and, after all, was simply writing pop tunes. I think most schools "study" the Beatles for the same reason they "study" other facets of pop culture, becasue it puts butts in the seats, generates some PR and keeps people supporting their departments. Geez, am I becoimng a grouchy old fart or what?

Don't misunderstand; I love the Beatles and have defended them many times, but they ain't Beethoven.

As to Arch's question, I have no idea how to learn this stuff. I am not even sure how I did. I guess I really didn't so my opinions should be taken with little seriousness.

Arch asks if music is intellectual, political, emotional, sonic or something else. The answer is an unequivocal Yes. It is all those. Understanding how or why is part of the fun of learning more abotu it, as well. Most of all, however, it should be enjoyed. As wiht all things, the more you learn about it the more of it you will enjoy. So, enjoy!