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KingBarbarossa
Forum Groupie
Joined: March 09 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 43
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Topic: Farewell to Prog Rock Posted: December 17 2008 at 12:44 |
My Dear fellow fans of the beloved genre of music,
after more than a year I find myself in a very peculiar situation which
is to say that after many years of enthusiasm for over a year now I
hardly play prog rock or actually any other form of rock anymore. I did
not really lose my appreciation for it, however, butsomething happened:
I myself am a romantic and needless to say what I always have been
looking for in prog was something nostalgic among other virtues like
complexity, skill and a wide range of moods - and in that sense I never
regarded prog as being "progressive" in the sense of this word except
for the beginnings when this music was new, but interestingly it was
not labelled as "prog" back then. just music, good music.
What happened then was that I increasingly started listening to
romantic classical music. Something that actually started in my
childhood when I sat in front of the record player listening to Dvorak
and Mahler and others. Funny picture isn't it? A seven year old little
boy who puts Mahler's first symphony on at his own choice while other
kids listened to Disney...
Anyway, in some way classical romantic contains everything I ever
really looked for in prog. It displays an incredible spectrum of moods,
sharp contrasts, incredible complexity and demands highest skills from
the musicians and of course there are many epic "long tracks" ;-)
Why am I writing this? Maybe at some point you have experienced
something similar that might be worth sharing here. Or maybe you might
feel moved to check out some classical music or give it another try. To
me personally one of the greatest high-points in romantic classical
music is Gustav Mahler. Start with his first symphony as it is very
accessible with many very distinct melodic hooks and then go to the
magnificiennt second, the 'Resurrection Symphony'. I think there are
many prog heads out there who would be able to enjoy this.
Anyway, it is not a complete farewell to prog from me and I will not be
giving away my 2000+ prog album collection but not only am I listening
to 90% classical now but I am also intensifying studies in orchestral
music composition. I will still keep visiting this site, still be
interested in what is going on in the prog arena but i realize that it
has become mostly nostalgy for me...
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darksideof
Forum Senior Member
Joined: February 22 2007
Location: Newark N.J.
Status: Offline
Points: 2318
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 12:52 |
Don't worry you will come back...
You can't get away from Prog...
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http://darksideofcollages.blogspot.com/
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darksideof-Collages/
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Logan
Forum & Site Admin Group
Site Admin
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Status: Offline
Points: 36049
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 13:15 |
I also consider myself to be a romantic ("We are not lovers, we are not romantics we are here to serve you..." (Gary Numan)), and love Mahler's and Dvorak's music. I was raised on "classical" music (to use the term as more generally descriptive rather than just a specific period -- i.e. Western Academic Music) and it is my first love, but I partially moved away from it because it evokes too strong emotions in me. I also like more pure forms of jazz very much. I'd gone off rock completely before getting back into Prog (which was partially for nostalgic sake, and the Prog I generally listen to now is more on the chamber music side -- along with jazzy ones). I've thought before that I will probably move away from rock again. One reason why I stopped listening to academic music so much was because my wife didn't enjoy it, and I found it deflating when I was absolutely moved by something to hear her indifferent comments.
I'm listening to a fair amount of non-rock chamber music again -- in fact I'm playing one of my old favourites now, Schubert's Piano Trio in E flat. That said, I think I'll always love bands/ music that is labelled Prog here (particularly so-called chamber rock), but will be moving more and more towards the less rock ones. And I'll always like folk music.
Edited by Logan - December 17 2008 at 13:16
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Prog-jester
Prog Reviewer
Joined: June 05 2005
Location: Love Beach
Status: Offline
Points: 5883
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 13:20 |
I'm deeply in sludge/post-metal/post-hardcore now. What prog? C'mon
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Chris S
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 09 2004
Location: Front Range
Status: Offline
Points: 7028
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 13:44 |
KingBarbarossa wrote:
My Dear fellow fans of the beloved genre of music,
after more than a year I find myself in a very peculiar situation which is to say that after many years of enthusiasm for over a year now I hardly play prog rock or actually any other form of rock anymore. I did not really lose my appreciation for it, however, butsomething happened:
I myself am a romantic and needless to say what I always have been looking for in prog was something nostalgic among other virtues like complexity, skill and a wide range of moods - and in that sense I never regarded prog as being "progressive" in the sense of this word except for the beginnings when this music was new, but interestingly it was not labelled as "prog" back then. just music, good music.
What happened then was that I increasingly started listening to romantic classical music. Something that actually started in my childhood when I sat in front of the record player listening to Dvorak and Mahler and others. Funny picture isn't it? A seven year old little boy who puts Mahler's first symphony on at his own choice while other kids listened to Disney...
Anyway, in some way classical romantic contains everything I ever really looked for in prog. It displays an incredible spectrum of moods, sharp contrasts, incredible complexity and demands highest skills from the musicians and of course there are many epic "long tracks" ;-)
Why am I writing this? Maybe at some point you have experienced something similar that might be worth sharing here. Or maybe you might feel moved to check out some classical music or give it another try. To me personally one of the greatest high-points in romantic classical music is Gustav Mahler. Start with his first symphony as it is very accessible with many very distinct melodic hooks and then go to the magnificiennt second, the 'Resurrection Symphony'. I think there are many prog heads out there who would be able to enjoy this.
Anyway, it is not a complete farewell to prog from me and I will not be giving away my 2000+ prog album collection but not only am I listening to 90% classical now but I am also intensifying studies in orchestral music composition. I will still keep visiting this site, still be interested in what is going on in the prog arena but i realize that it has become mostly nostalgy for me...
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Progressive mnemoric footprints will last for all of eternity......good luck! It is not a question of me leaving prog music, prog music will never leave me. Period.
Another point is I have often heard that as one gets older one appreciates classical music more......respect yes, appreciate? No. Give me King Crimson, Brand X, a walking stick and an i-Pod anyday
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<font color=Brown>Music - The Sound Librarian
...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR]
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burritounit
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: September 18 2007
Location: Puerto Rico
Status: Offline
Points: 2551
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 14:21 |
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"I've walked on water, run through fire, can't seem to feel it anymore. It was me, waiting for me..."
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The T
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 16 2006
Location: FL, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 17493
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 14:23 |
I have also thought one day I'll go back to classical music but that day is, I think, very far away. But it isn't prog the one holding classic back: is rock in general, and mostly, metal. Yes, I was, when younger, a classical music afdicionado that loved Beethoven, Dvorak, Bruckner, Mozart, and hundred more (Mahler too... the sixth is his highest point in my view). I never cared much for classical vocal (non-choral) music like lieder or songs (like Mahler's Lieder einer Farenden gesellen), I never liked that. I found in rock the vocal music I like (in a way that's why I don't care much about rock instrumental music... that's what classical music is for in my mind).
I discovered prog with DT like 10 years ago and then went exclusively prog. Then around 3 years later I quit rock and went back to classical almost 100%. But then it happened all again, now more pronounced. I seldom hear classical music now, and I've gotten much deeper in rock, much deeper in its most virulent, darkest forms in metal (black metal). Classical right now just doesn't make it for me emotionally. Sometimes it can be too much (sweeping emotion) sometimes too little (energy, anger).
Also, I finally realized I have to hear what I like and not what "is better". No more listenign to intellectual music because it makes me more "intelligent". That I leave to others who still have those ridiculous ideas. I've grown up. I listen to whatever the f**k I want. And right now, is not classical.
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 14:28 |
While I like classical I see no need to retreat to just listening to one form of music. I see you didn't mention my favorite decomposing composer, Debussy. Also partial to Holst and Mussorgsky. And non decomposing composers, Philip Glass and Steve Reich.
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Henry Plainview
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 26 2008
Location: Declined
Status: Offline
Points: 16715
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 14:36 |
I hate to be blunt (that is a lie), but you have 25 posts: do you really think your presence on this site warrants a DRAMATIC GOODBYE thread?
Although, I've mostly been listening to jazz these days. And when I do listen to prog, it's almost never "classic prog", most of which I've found very disappointing upon revisiting... :(
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if you own a sodastream i hate you
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Logan
Forum & Site Admin Group
Site Admin
Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Status: Offline
Points: 36049
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 14:48 |
Your initial paragraph is unwarranted. This is different from those dramatic goodbye to PA posts. This is about moving away from Prog, and his post count is irrelevant. I find it an interesting discussion topic. I've wondered if Prog is a passing phase for me (and thought it would be years ago).
Edited by Logan - December 17 2008 at 14:48
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 15:13 |
If I say farewell to prog rock, what the hell am I going to do with all this? VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Angelo
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
Joined: May 07 2006
Location: Italy
Status: Offline
Points: 13244
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 15:29 |
Henry Plainview wrote:
I hate to be blunt (that is a lie), but you have 25 posts: do you really think your presence on this site warrants a DRAMATIC GOODBYE thread?
Although, I've mostly been listening to jazz these days. And when I do listen to prog, it's almost never "classic prog", most of which I've found very disappointing upon revisiting... :( |
Mr. Plain view might be a bit short sighted here? This thread is obviously not about a goodbye to PA, but an expression of a feeling about prog rock. Next time, think a bit harder and read a bit better before posting, please.
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Ricochet
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: February 27 2005
Location: Nauru
Status: Offline
Points: 46301
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 15:31 |
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threefates
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 30 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 4215
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 15:34 |
I love some classical music, but I think I would find it hard to stay awake if I had to listen to classical music all the time. Actually I find it hard to clean the house anymore unless I have AC/DC playing loud. :-)
And this time of the year, I prefer jazzy or celtic holiday music .
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THIS IS ELP
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Prog-jester
Prog Reviewer
Joined: June 05 2005
Location: Love Beach
Status: Offline
Points: 5883
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 15:44 |
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 17:04 |
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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fuxi
Prog Reviewer
Joined: March 08 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 2459
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 17:30 |
If you ever really cared for prog, I think your farewell will be temporary. I grew up with most of the 1970s U.K. prog bands, but I didn't listen much to rock between 1985 and 1995. I was too busy discovering loads of jazz, as well as Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Handel, Wagner, Bruckner and, yes: Mahler... I now know the likes of Bach, Haydn and Schubert have given the world much more great music than any rock band, BUT in the past ten years or so I've also returned to prog. These days, I enjoy most of my proggy favourites as much as ever, and I keep discovering new ones.
It's all in the Bible, isn't it:
Man can't live on a-simple-rock'n'roll-beat alone.
Man can't live on an-intricate-rock'n'roll-beat alone!
Man can't live on subtle-18th-or-19th-century-classics alone!!
Man can't live on adventurous-improved-music-alone either!!!!
Praise the Lord, for man doesn't have to chose: he can taste of the fruit of ALL trees he can find.
And the same goes, of course, for woman.
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darksideof
Forum Senior Member
Joined: February 22 2007
Location: Newark N.J.
Status: Offline
Points: 2318
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 17:31 |
Slartibartfast wrote:
If I say farewell to prog rock, what the hell am I going to do with all this? VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
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Na!!!
I will Keep On Prog Rocking until the Lord says it....
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http://darksideofcollages.blogspot.com/
http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darksideof-Collages/
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KingBarbarossa
Forum Groupie
Joined: March 09 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 43
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 18:11 |
As I stated, it is not a complete departure.
Thank you all, for the condolences! :-)
I do not feel less appreciation for prog but I must acknowledge that now since more than a year I am listening to almost only classical. Mahler in particular. I am aware of temporary changes and phases that occur in preferences and listening habits. However, I know that in my case it is the undergoing of a soul journey in finding something more than a refined listening habit. More of something one may call destiny and it can be identified in how profoundly it can shake the grounds on which you build your identity. It is finding a reflection of your own inner truth that is being expressed in a piece of art.
What I start getting "into" is then center of my own creativity and my own being. So to speak when I listen - or create - music I am this music, this sound in this moment. For some people this may be too intense, but I have never known it any different.
To: "The T": It is really not about "intellectual" music. I do not claim one kind of music to be "better" than others. Each person derives something out of what they like that may be of equal value across any borders of style. The expression of anger is a good point and there are rare moments when
you need a blast of "Rage Against Machine" :-) however, I do not carry
anger with me anymore, I got rid of it some years ago and it was a very
healthy decision.
To "Henry Plainview": My low post count does indeed stem from being not very active, but it does not mean i am not present. In fact I am a regular visitor of progarchives with interest. In the beginning I started doing a few reviews as well until i realized that I don't really want to judge other people's art - too personal are the different tastes...
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DatM
Forum Groupie
Joined: November 19 2008
Location: Berlin, Germany
Status: Offline
Points: 95
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Posted: December 17 2008 at 18:21 |
I get what you're saying, it's somewhat similar for myself, as I listen to more and more classical everday. I also find myself reviewing and deepening my composition studies...esp. counterpoint. Oh to be able to write a fugue as masterful as Bach's...one can dream. But I still have a weak spot for drums and distorted guitars That is why I started Death And The Maiden, hehe.
Edited by DatM - December 17 2008 at 18:22
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Death and the Maiden - A Metal Tribute To String Quartets
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