(Untitled)

[thebanjoranger]

Leonard Bernstein argued that Beethoven was the best classical composer as he was best at making every note sound like it had to follow the others. It strikes me that this quality is precisely what Brian Wilson's early songs have. However, Smile's one great flaw may be that it loses the sense that every note just had to follow the one before

Comments

[daniel_1980]

yes talk to the phd students! their probably nice, if they're anything like the anthropology ones (although then again, they may not be). but i do understand the alienation.

also what bernstein likes about beethoven is what i hate about him, too predictable and flawless, almost mechanical. even serialism managed to hit more off notes.

[thebanjoranger]

I know that a couple of the students are definitely the jaded, sarcastic type. I normally don't mind sitting down and chatting to people, it's just this time I feel uncomfortable. I'll give it a shot anyway.

I don't always find Beethoven that predictable. When I listen to his piano sonatas I wonder how he ever came up with it. On the other hand. I do find his ninth symphony (in particular) has the quality you refer to.

[philhybels]

Smile is $24 at JB. Time to buy it and help out a fellow artist methinks Mr Gerber.