tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post8036069117510498339..comments2024-03-28T22:15:17.067-05:00Comments on Every goddamn day: 03/29/24: Wozzeck: The shock of the (90-year-old) newNeil Steinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-20808945946679309122015-11-13T09:10:14.598-06:002015-11-13T09:10:14.598-06:00A couple of great quotes. They're going into m...A couple of great quotes. They're going into my mishmash book.<br /><br />I think the term for "random notes thrown on a page" would be "stochastic," which some modern composers have resorted to.<br /><br />Who knew that Berg could be witty?<br /><br />Tom EvansAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-23668447435397171852015-11-13T00:46:40.862-06:002015-11-13T00:46:40.862-06:00That's a wonderfully apt quote, Nikki. An ope...That's a wonderfully apt quote, Nikki. An opera where the achievement is that nobody is supposed to pay any attention to the music, yet even many opera-lovers are so repelled by it that they don't attend. Revolutionary, indeed. : )Jakashnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-32804925457827720032015-11-12T21:52:49.258-06:002015-11-12T21:52:49.258-06:00Having reached an age where I no longer worry abou...Having reached an age where I no longer worry about being thought of as a Philistine, I say, "I'm not sitting through that!" And I speak German, and the tedium of the libretto adds to my determination not to submit myself to this ear bashing. Hattiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13297404386730167834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-44549701783308127612015-11-12T20:19:53.980-06:002015-11-12T20:19:53.980-06:00That makes a lot of sense, Nikki. That makes a lot of sense, Nikki. Neil Steinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-19183062943690913702015-11-12T19:25:57.748-06:002015-11-12T19:25:57.748-06:00"No one in the audience, no matter how aware ..."No one in the audience, no matter how aware he may be of the musical forms contained in the framework of the opera, of the precision and logic with which it has been worked out, no one, from the moment the curtain parts until it closes for the last time, pays any attention to the various fugues, inventions, suites, sonata movements, variations and passacaglias about which so much has been written. No one gives heed to anything but the vast social implications of the work, which by far transcend the personal destiny of Wozzeck. This, I believe, is my achievement." - Alban Berg<br /><br />Berg never wanted the music to be noticed, he wanted it to be more of a background noise if you will. So the music isn't the point here, it's the story. The composer wanted you to be moved by the actions on stage and if that happens that's what he wanted. A point to Scribe, atonal doesn't mean just random notes thrown on the page. There is structure and form, unless it's a piece for fixed piano, then its a free-for-all. <br /><br />One more Berg quote for fun- "When I compose I always feel like I am Beethoven; only afterwards do I become aware that at best I am only Bizet."Nikki Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-19866593606021691012015-11-12T17:48:44.988-06:002015-11-12T17:48:44.988-06:00Fair enough, Tom. I was just riffing on the "...Fair enough, Tom. I was just riffing on the "revolution" theme off the top of my head. I'm sure musicologists, as well as most sentient folks who don't care about music at all would have trouble with many of my ruminations. ; ) I don't doubt that many would agree with you about the conservative audience, too -- this is a liberal blog, after all! -- but as somebody who has a hard enough time with blockbuster operas, I have to back their taste for the conventional when it comes to this music. (Yes, I realize you didn't mean politically conservative.)<br /><br />Sandy, I imagine that the better seats alone will make it worth your while and a fun experience, especially given that Tom and the reviews all agree that the stagecraft is excellent. Even though the Opera House is right next to the river, I doubt high water will be a deterrent...Jakashnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-38965954784336079902015-11-12T16:21:05.638-06:002015-11-12T16:21:05.638-06:00Ever the optimist, I would anticipate neither Hell...Ever the optimist, I would anticipate neither Hell nor high water to bar your finding something to enjoy, Sandy. And I think reviewing what Neil has offered on the subject as preparation is a good idea.<br /><br />And Jakash, I'm not one but think most musicologists would have trouble with your military analogy. Everybody likes Beethoven, but he didn't create a blueprint for successors to follow blindly. Rather an inspiration and foundation to build on in evolving the art. And as far as being revolutionary, Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" was probably more of a new direction than anything Berg wrote.<br /><br />It's not surprising that Wozzeck is a hard sell for Chicago's conservative opera audience, but I don't think that is necessarily cause for celebration.<br /><br />Tom Evans<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-10251816710139784832015-11-12T16:03:37.386-06:002015-11-12T16:03:37.386-06:00Same here with appreciating classical art over mo...Same here with appreciating classical art over modern art at the Art Institute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-78881755292220799332015-11-12T14:56:02.952-06:002015-11-12T14:56:02.952-06:00Ha, I did think of that, Jakash (the reason for su...Ha, I did think of that, Jakash (the reason for such a generous offer by Lyric Opera). But I'm still looking forward to it, come hell or high water :)SandyKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-35146950348684929882015-11-12T12:31:51.219-06:002015-11-12T12:31:51.219-06:00Spoiler alert: I'm a philistine myself, who u...Spoiler alert: I'm a philistine myself, who understands less about music than Mike Huckleberry does about evolution. <br /><br />But, I know what I like, which includes Beethoven. As for "Wozzeck", which I've never seen, nor would contemplate seeing, "It is revolutionary." ... "I think Beethoven, in his day, was as radical as Berg." One difference, it would seem to me, is that Beethoven won the war, decisively, and most of classical music went his way shortly thereafter. With good reason, I believe. Berg's revolution is still going on, and atonal music is no closer to winning the war than it was 90 years ago, which is why "Wozzeck" is still "regarded as modern." <br /><br />To wit: the number of "old-fashioned" operas performed at the Lyric (or almost anywhere else), compared to the number of atonal ones. The customers aren't ALWAYS right, but they are in this case, IMHO. Which is why Sandy got her main floor "Wozzeck" tickets for $49, IIRC.<br /><br />I agree with Bitter Scribe, as usual. Not worth the time to attempt to appreciate more. As with modern art, like he says. I can whip through the Modern Wing at the Art Institute lickety-split, because not a lot there warrants scrutiny -- again, IMH and uninformed O. The great blessing of modern visual art is that many pieces are so large, one can look at a whole room in 20 seconds! I DO enjoy that wonderful view out the windows to Millennium Park, though. That's always worth looking at! (Credentials as a philistine -- Check!) Evidently, brevity is a popular feature of this opera, as well -- whatever one thinks of it, it's over much more quickly than is the norm...Jakashnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-39002657219372677912015-11-12T12:12:42.796-06:002015-11-12T12:12:42.796-06:00The famous English music critic Ernest Newman once...The famous English music critic Ernest Newman once observed that certain works remain in the repertory because the great musicians of the age want to play them and audiences want to hear them. With "Wozzeck" I suspect it's the former rather than the later cpnsideration that holds the greatest sway. But, that said, this was my third Wozzeck, and I found much to admire, and even enjoy. The stagecraft -- sets, acting and direction --is admirable, and, although nobody leaves the theatre humming the tunes, the music has moments of real beauty, particularly the orchestral interludes. I'm not sure I heard in it all that Mr. Freud did, but am getting there. .<br /><br />And it's the only opera this season that's over in time for me to catch a 9:30 train. <br /><br />I do think you should give it another listen, particularly since you have invested so much in understanding its history and aesthetic. The analogy with "Ulysses" is a good one. Unless you're just rereading it for the dirty bits, it's an onion with many layers worth peeling. As I've probably said before, I enjoyed "The Sound of Music," but don't care ever to hear it again. I wouldn't make the same claim about "Wozzeck." But, as Saint Augustine said about something else, "not just yet."<br /><br />If "Wozzeck" has given you a headache you will find "The Merry Widow" a nice musical analgesic. Talk about polar opposites!<br /><br />Tom Evans Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-50308710930184071262015-11-12T11:54:14.509-06:002015-11-12T11:54:14.509-06:00I am a theater nut who tries to like opera and usu...I am a theater nut who tries to like opera and usually fails. Every few years I go to the Lyric and usually marvel at the lack of rhythm, melody and harmony, and the simplistic narratives. I usually ponder the fable of the Emperor's New Clothes and long for the tedium to end.<br /><br />I have friends who I admire and look up to who are obsessed with opera so I often wonder if the problem is my own. I keep going in the hopes of a breakthrough on my part.<br /><br />I read about Wozzeck. I thought I would give it a shot. Aside from the fact that it's plot makes Kafka's the Metamorphosis look like an after school special, I thought Wozzeck was an extraordinary work of art. The staging was wonderful, the singing and acting superb, I found it more dynamic, less static, than most operas I've seen (Dr. Atomic was like watching grass grow). Surprisingly, I loved the music. I was told that it was challenging to listen to but I thought it was wonderful. I intend to buy a CD of the music for repeat listening and study.<br /><br />Who knows why some art speaks to us and other art doesn't at all. I thought Wozzeck, in spite of it's depressing subject matter, was collaborative art of the first order.<br /><br />Now about that final scene with the orphaned child . . . I may never sleep again.Dennis Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03936110563379328219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-91574802201472927712015-11-12T09:46:28.498-06:002015-11-12T09:46:28.498-06:00You're a better man than I am, Neil. My view i...You're a better man than I am, Neil. My view is that life is too short to listen to atonal music, which IMO is to real music what random blobs of paint are to real art.Bitter Scribenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-5623785525325473072015-11-12T09:31:20.214-06:002015-11-12T09:31:20.214-06:00Mr. S, you don't write much about another clas...Mr. S, you don't write much about another classic art/ dance form: ballet. That doesn't interest you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-43415521962901794742015-11-12T08:44:45.484-06:002015-11-12T08:44:45.484-06:00Here is a link to a 1970 film version of Wozzeck, ...Here is a link to a 1970 film version of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUkbjO8dkDI" rel="nofollow">Wozzeck</a>, with english subtitles. The character, Herr Doktor Sargnagal, has an interesting name. Not suitable for private practice, fortunately he found government work.<br />Berniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157600812959885192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-88671774538608109632015-11-12T08:32:06.051-06:002015-11-12T08:32:06.051-06:00I'm reminded of poor Bizet, the composer of th...I'm reminded of poor Bizet, the composer of the most popular opera of all time, counting highschool performances. Everybody hated it. He died. Everybody came to love Carmen. At least all of us philistines.<br /><br />johntatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10088632798195131329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-55874075562284211522015-11-12T06:37:46.054-06:002015-11-12T06:37:46.054-06:00Well the story line sounds interesting. Something ...Well the story line sounds interesting. Something more apropos to the miserable Industrial Revolution era in sentiment if not in actuality of the workplace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-82569500637144579742015-11-12T01:35:12.618-06:002015-11-12T01:35:12.618-06:00Glad you wrote about this, as I'll be seeing i...Glad you wrote about this, as I'll be seeing it myself. I'll probably print this out and take it with me, or at least read it a few times beforehand, to try and better understand the meaning of what I'll be watching and hearing.SandyKnoreply@blogger.com