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Entry: Why is contemporary music so bad? Link: http://www.takimag.com/sniperstower/article/why_is_contemporary_music_so_bad#22095 Post contents: I think part of it is that at the time of Haydn, say from C.P.E. Bach through Schubert, Central European culture valued music to the extent that their sons were encouraged to become musicians, or in some way involved in musical activity. The society as a whole valued music. I think it is telling that during the classical period there are a large number of second tier composers who are still popular and worth listening to. I'm thinking of people like Bocherini, Dittersdorf, Pleyel, Vanhal, et al. I do not know of another period in musical history where the second tier produced such high quality. Composing was, in the classical period, primarily a craft. It wasn't focussed on self-expression and originality, though valued, wasn't the highest value. Mozart often borrowed themes from Haydn and other composers; they all did. Thid wasn't considered plaigarism but a complement. The point was to produce an uplifting piece for the occasion of the commission. But tastes change. Other activities became more central, like fiction writing, theater and politics. I doubt that the specific cultural and economic conditions that supported the classical period can be replicated, but it's still possible to enjoy the masterpieces from that time. Jim Wilson Sent at: 2009 01 09