Re: [ARSCLIST] Classical Music Imperiled: Can You Hear the Shrug?

[Mike Richter <mrichter@xxxxxxx>]

Steven C. Barr(x) wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Roger and Allison Kulp" <thorenstd124@xxxxxxxxx>
> > Classical Music Imperiled: Can You Hear the Shrug? 
> > By EDWARD ROTHSTEIN
> It is also worth noting that the reason classical music was often heard in
> film scores (or in music recommended to accompany silent films...) was
> simply the fact that most of it was written before the era of performing-
> rights groups and publisher royalties...
>
> Steven C. Barr

Even allowing for the overstatement - surely, only *one* of the reasons 
- the above is at best questionable. "Classical" music has been composed 
for and used in film from the era of silents through 2001 A Space 
Odyssey and beyond. Of course, there is always question about which 
music is classical. However, much of the music used is in copyright even 
if not composed explicitly for the film.

Needless to say, 'silent' films were not silent. Many had explicit 
scores such as those composed by Charlie Chaplin and the masterworks of 
Prokofiev for Eisenstein. Of course, most relied on improvisation from 
the organist who would be more likely to use standard themes than to 
quote either classical or popular tunes.

Mike
--
mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/