What songs of the 'modern' era would Mozart be proud to have written?

[Canrider]

I can see why people are suggesting Stevie Wonder (sorry srw), and Prince. Obviously this kind of question is never going to 'work' because the spectrum of available music is much broader today, so a 'child prodigy whose composition and performance covered all the major genres of music' today would have to include country/western, metal, rap, pop, and some dubstep production work, among other things.

I'd suggest that if we think of Mozart primarily as a composer, then we invite comparisons with..John Williams? Andrew Lloyd Webber ()? How about Danny Elfman?

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'd suggest that if we think of Mozart primarily as a composer, then we invite comparisons with..John Williams? Andrew Lloyd Webber ()? How about Danny Elfman?

John Barry?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Pardon my ignorance but did Mozart ever right any songs?
I know he wrote music but never heard of anyone singing Mozart.

No, but he did WRITE Operas and Masses and stuff, so, yes, he wrote songs, even if they sometimes were on an epic scale.

 

[srw]

I can see why people are suggesting Stevie Wonder (sorry srw), and Prince. Obviously this kind of question is never going to 'work' because the spectrum of available music is much broader today, so a 'child prodigy whose composition and performance covered all the major genres of music' today would have to include country/western, metal, rap, pop, and some dubstep production work, among other things.

I'd suggest that if we think of Mozart primarily as a composer, then we invite comparisons with..John Williams? Andrew Lloyd Webber ()? How about Danny Elfman?

John Williams did cross my mind - for the same reason as I suggested Howard Goodall upthread. The trouble is that Mozart transcended his constrtaints as basically a hack composer, writing much to order. I don't think there's anyone around today who does.

And I do take your point about the genres - but all the genres you cite are basically minor variations on the 3-minute pop song, based on I-IV-V-I in 4/4 with intro-chorus-middle 8 -coda. To cover all the genres in the way Mozart did you'd need to master minimalism, seriality, non-serial atonality, neo-classicism and late romanticism, and all the performing groups from electronic ensemble to choir to chamber group to jazz combo to pop quartet to boy band to symphony orchestra.

Being able to play 3 instruments and write hit singles doesn't really make it onto the radar.

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

However, poor OP was not trying to compare composers.. neither music pieces for that matter!
Oh, well..

 

[PaulB]

John Williams did cross my mind - for the same reason as I suggested Howard Goodall upthread. The trouble is that Mozart transcended his constrtaints as basically a hack composer, writing much to order. I don't think there's anyone around today who does.

And I do take your point about the genres - but all the genres you cite are basically minor variations on the 3-minute pop song, based on I-IV-V-I in 4/4 with intro-chorus-middle 8 -coda. To cover all the genres in the way Mozart did you'd need to master minimalism, seriality, non-serial atonality, neo-classicism and late romanticism, and all the performing groups from electronic ensemble to choir to chamber group to jazz combo to pop quartet to boy band to symphony orchestra.

Being able to play 3 instruments and write hit singles doesn't really make it onto the radar.

That's ridiculous. Music can only be written and composed to reflect the zeitgeist of the times as I'm certain Mozart's did. To once again attempt to disparage the greatest living musical genius is a bit tragic.

 

[Hotblack Desiato]

That's ridiculous. Music can only be written and composed to reflect the zeitgeist of the times as I'm certain Mozart's did. To once again attempt to disparage the greatest living musical genius is a bit tragic.

I'm sure that if he wasn't dead, Mozart would easily survive srw's disapproval.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

You are trying to compare apples and orang-utans.

Mozart was constrained (only) by the musical forms and the music technology of his day. Today there are many more musical forms and a vast(er) array of music technology.

Mozart was a genius
Wonder is a genius
The genius of one does not diminish the genius of another.
One's preference for one over the other should not blind one to the creative genius of each.

 

[srw]

Mozart was a genius
Wonder is a genius
The genius of one does not diminish the genius of another.
One's preference for one over the other should not blind one to the creative genius of each.

Equally, one either should compare like-for-like or just not compare. And if one does compare one should do it with some specified criteria.

And it won't be for another 30 or 40 years that we'll really be able to judge the lasting worth of musicians writing today.

 

[PaulB]

Equally, one either should compare like-for-like or just not compare. And if one does compare one should do it with some specified criteria.

And it won't be for another 30 or 40 years that we'll really be able to judge the lasting worth of musicians writing today.

I bet Salieri's cohorts would have said the same thing about Mozart when he had left him in the dust. Wonder's been around for '30 or 40 years' since breaking on to the scene. Ample time for an adequate critical appraisal of his abilities.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Equally, one either should compare like-for-like or just not compare. And if one does compare one should do it with some specified criteria.

And it won't be for another 30 or 40 years that we'll really be able to judge the lasting worth of musicians writing today.

Connoisseurship is, imo, the only way to correctly identify great art. Popularity and commercial success are merely transitory. Unfortunately that leaves one open to accusations of elitism. But I think there is nothing wrong with elitism in the arts. Excellence is all.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I bet Salieri's cohorts would have said the same thing about Mozart when he had left him in the dust. Wonder's been around for '30 or 40 years' since breaking on to the scene. Ample time for an adequate critical appraisal of his abilities.

I'm trying to remember that alleged quote from Einstein. The one about judging a fish by its abilities to climb trees.

 

[srw]

I bet Salieri's cohorts would have said the same thing about Mozart when he had left him in the dust. Wonder's been around for '30 or 40 years' since breaking on to the scene. Ample time for an adequate critical appraisal of his abilities.

Another myth..... Don't believe everything you saw on "Amadeus".

 

[accountantpete]