Pynchon & Jazz

[vze422fs at verizon.net]

on 2/20/03 11:16 AM, The Great Quail at quail at libyrinth.com wrote:

> Prozac writes,
> 
>> Romanticism, outside of the names and times given it by critics, is a
>> philosophy which permeates European culture. While Bach may not have
>> been a "musical Romantic," he had Romantic values among others in his
>> heart/mind while composing.
> 
> I'm sorry, I have to take issue with this. Unless you mean "Romanticism" in
> the very broadest possible sense, in which case it permeates nearly all
> artistic human endeavor.
> 
> First of all, the precepts of high Romanticism were not part of the baroque,
> and Bach was a very workmanlike composer. I am not saying that his work did
> not bring him pleasure or joy, but he did not locate himself at the center
> of a subjective world in the fashion of the Romantics. Nor were the values
> expressed by his music particular Romantic values -- they were for the most
> part, spiritual and even pious; or when not religious, Enlightenment kind of
> values, with an emphasis on craft. Now, of course you may argue that his
> more "profane" works were largely based in the expression of joy; but you
> could say that about African drumming, Haydn, or Philip Glass, too.
> 

I gotta come in on the Great Quail's side on this one.  Not only was Bach
not part of the Romantic movement, the colloquial meanings and connotations
the the word fit neither his music nor his life. Many of his pieces were
about as romantic as a physics projectile problem. Legend has it that he
married Dietrich Buxtehude's unattractive daughter in order to get the older
organist's job. The town fathers of Lubec did not want to pay Bach's salary
and Buxtehude's pension. So that strong-armed the young musician into the
marriage to kill two birds with one stone. Not exactly a hearts and flowers
kinda guy.

Peace
Joe

> While I sort of "get" what you are trying to say, I cannot so easily dismiss
> critical terms, especially one so important as "Romanticism." I think you do
> artistic theory a small disservice by your generalizations, which bring Bach
> too closely aside Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Wagner, and Mahler....
> 
> Happy to quibble over classical quiddities,
> 
> --Quail
> 
> 
> 
>