Zoned Out

I mentioned in class that the visual aspect of the opera, no matter how out there I felt it to be, was one of the reasons I was able to stay engaged in the music. I would sort of zone out, something on stage would catch my eye, and I would be brought back to the music. I don’t think I would be able to listen to this music without having a visual to keep my attention.

Due to the repetitive and minimalist nature of the music I was unable to keep my focus. I found my mind would either wonder on to other things, or I would completely zone out. I think I mentioned in a past blog that I am a sucker for a beautiful melody, and I felt like that was lacking in this opera. However, I don’t believe that it was meant to have beautiful melodies and grand sweeping harmonies, that wasn’t the composer’s intent. That is not to say that I didn’t appreciate the work, but I wasn’t a huge fan.

I try to be open minded about new music, and there is a great deal of it that I truly do enjoy, but there is also a great deal that I do not enjoy. I’m concerned at times that I have become a narrow minded music snob because I don’t always care for more modern music. I absolutely appreciate new music and encourage new music to be written and performed; I am in no way suggesting that we only perform the “classics.” If we did that how would music ever evolve? But because I have listened to mostly classical music from probably 1920 and before, it’s difficult for me to get into some of these operas. With that said, I do feel like I’m gaining more perspective on operas written over the last 60 years, and a greater understanding of why and how they were written. If anything, I would say this is one of the most diverse and fascinating periods of composition I have ever studied.

I don’t think that I would choose to listen to Satyagraha again, but I value the experience of having watched and listened to the work. Overall I feel that there is a lot to be gained by listening to music outside of what we know and what we are comfortable with.