The Beauty of Dissonance

7 days ago

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Music serves various purposes, including calming, soothing, provoking, and disturbing.
Dissonance has always been a part of music, used by composers like Bach and Mozart to create tension and resolution.
The 20th century saw dissonance dominate, often excluding traditional harmony, leading to a divide between 'old' and 'new' music styles.
Composers like Schoenberg pioneered atonality, while others like Copland and Barber maintained tonal, accessible music alongside modernist works.
The music establishment often favored modernist styles, marginalizing composers who adhered to tonal or Romantic traditions.
Composers like Lee Hoiby faced criticism for their traditional styles but persisted in writing music true to their artistic vision.
The late 20th century saw a loosening of strict stylistic constraints, allowing for greater diversity in musical expression.
Music, like other arts, should embrace all expressive tools to convey a wide range of emotions and experiences.
Composers should write music that reflects their personal artistic impulses, whether cerebral and thorny or simple and lyrical.

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