"The free play of art is the result of mastery. " --Ernst Fischer, The Necessity of Art

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." --Ladybird Johnson

"...a well-trained ear, a well-trained intelligence, a well-trained heart, and a well-trained hand...." --Zoltan Kodaly

5/15/10

Postmodernism and pop music

I was surprised yesterday by a 4th grade student, who chose to bring in a Beethoven piano recording as his 'first choice' for the pop music analysis unit we've been doing in Music class this month.

After being immersed for several classes in contemporary pop music tunes--some good, some tedious--I was unprepared for the shocking beauty of the Beethoven melody.

Which got me to thinking: who's to say that one is a masterwork and the others are ephemeral?

Postmodernism at work, yes?

On the other hand...that Beethoven melody brought me near tears.

And also...why am I surprised by the fact that a child would recognize and love the same beauty?

Just thinking.

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