I do a weekly music post on a friend's blog where 10 to 15 of us discuss the daily political news. I took over after the person who started it passed away. My qualifications for taking over was that I had earned(?) a C+ in a Music appreciation class I took 50 years prior,, in other words none. But nobody else was stepping up and I do like music..
I ran across Saint-Georges, while doing some research for black history month. The article called him the "Black" Mozart. I listened to it, the music was pleasant enough so I went with it. A few days later I listened to him and Mozart side by side and the different was clear, Mozart was more complex. He was no Mozart but then that applies to 99% of the composers out there.
I've always wondered if he was the French upper class version of a Pop musician, entertaining with out irritatingly complex.
A fascinating dive into the accuracy of the movie and that review. As a music teacher, I’ve seen the push for diversifying the composers we listen to and perform, and there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as we still give the greats their due.
Next up, MacDonald will explain it is just a coincidence that American slaves all had African ancestry (or were from Africa themselves), and any suggestion to the contrary is woke nonsense.
Thanks Cathy - I have not watched the film but was interested given my love for Mozart and Gluck. Heather MacDonald is using her old tricks again and appreciate you calling her out.
Dec 19, 2023·edited Dec 19, 2023Liked by Cathy Young
Great piece. Although I was (at best) dimly aware of the Chevalier's career prior to reading this, and rarely if ever "go to the movies", I've been encouraged to spend the morning looking into his life, which is in itself a positive outcome.
I think the last line--'And surely one can push back against “everything is racist” attacks on the Western musical tradition without either denying the racism that did exist or disparaging black musicians who overcame great odds to contribute to that tradition'--goes straight to the heart of our current socio-political hellscape...as a nation, we've lost the capacity for any nuance or modulation.
For so many rabid partisans, everything is either black or white (yes, I do recognize the irony of using that particular analogy)--you're either "woke" or "racist," "fascist" or "communist," a "patriot" or a "traitor." Or in Mac Donald's case, a genius or a diversity hire. And I believe that over-simplification and over-amplification is intentional obfuscation that allows a lot of actual bad behavior to slide under the radar.
Thank you for an enlightening & thought provoking piece.
I'm not familiar with the music of Saint-Georges but I will make an effort to find out about it. Classical music is a refuge for me from the hectic nature of the daily news. Mozart, and those composers who came before and after him, provide a non-verbal alternative beyond the media.
You're just trying to make me mad all over again with this 🤨😉.
I do a weekly music post on a friend's blog where 10 to 15 of us discuss the daily political news. I took over after the person who started it passed away. My qualifications for taking over was that I had earned(?) a C+ in a Music appreciation class I took 50 years prior,, in other words none. But nobody else was stepping up and I do like music..
I ran across Saint-Georges, while doing some research for black history month. The article called him the "Black" Mozart. I listened to it, the music was pleasant enough so I went with it. A few days later I listened to him and Mozart side by side and the different was clear, Mozart was more complex. He was no Mozart but then that applies to 99% of the composers out there.
I've always wondered if he was the French upper class version of a Pop musician, entertaining with out irritatingly complex.
Even with that said, he is worth giving a listen.
A fascinating dive into the accuracy of the movie and that review. As a music teacher, I’ve seen the push for diversifying the composers we listen to and perform, and there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as we still give the greats their due.
Next up, MacDonald will explain it is just a coincidence that American slaves all had African ancestry (or were from Africa themselves), and any suggestion to the contrary is woke nonsense.
Thanks Cathy - I have not watched the film but was interested given my love for Mozart and Gluck. Heather MacDonald is using her old tricks again and appreciate you calling her out.
Great piece. Although I was (at best) dimly aware of the Chevalier's career prior to reading this, and rarely if ever "go to the movies", I've been encouraged to spend the morning looking into his life, which is in itself a positive outcome.
I think the last line--'And surely one can push back against “everything is racist” attacks on the Western musical tradition without either denying the racism that did exist or disparaging black musicians who overcame great odds to contribute to that tradition'--goes straight to the heart of our current socio-political hellscape...as a nation, we've lost the capacity for any nuance or modulation.
For so many rabid partisans, everything is either black or white (yes, I do recognize the irony of using that particular analogy)--you're either "woke" or "racist," "fascist" or "communist," a "patriot" or a "traitor." Or in Mac Donald's case, a genius or a diversity hire. And I believe that over-simplification and over-amplification is intentional obfuscation that allows a lot of actual bad behavior to slide under the radar.
Thank you for an enlightening & thought provoking piece.
I'm not familiar with the music of Saint-Georges but I will make an effort to find out about it. Classical music is a refuge for me from the hectic nature of the daily news. Mozart, and those composers who came before and after him, provide a non-verbal alternative beyond the media.