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

["Steven C. Barr(x)" <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "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...
> 
> 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.
> 
Well, I was thinking of...and dimly remembering having read, LONG ago...
a (auto)biography of someone who became a musical notable (all details
forgotten, since I read it four or five DECADES ago...!). His first job
after he immigrated to NYC was assembling musical scores to accompany
silent films on piano (or organ)...and the book mentioned that he had
to draw from pre-ASCAP classical works to avoid any payment for their use!
This would have been in the "Tin Pan Alley" era...and NO idea who this
was...!

Steven C. Barr