RoR: Forum

"Didn't Ayn Rand write somewhere (I think it was "The Romantic Manifesto") that Beethoven's music was written from a malevolent universe premise?"

She did, and I also read (in Jeff Walker's book, so take with a grain of salt...) that someone at ARI or TOC said that, "well, she was probably right..."

She also hated folk music...and her preference to lite opera over jazz is well documented in LETTERS OF AYN RAND. She didn't like Mozart from what I understand, either. She didn't like... she didn't like....she thought so and so was such and such...

But she also wrote that music is so personal and subjective that is not possible to make judgements on musical preference, that it's every man for himself.

So instead of wondering about her dislikes, we could take interest in what she did like. Has anyone seen this site (MUSIC WITH AN AYN RAND CONNECTION)?

http://www.dismuke.org/aynrand/

Also, I was wondering if anyone has ever heard, or knows about the song "Will'o the Wisp" that she liked? I originally thought that Duane Eddy, the rock guitarist who gave it to her, wrote it, but that's not right. But I am dying to hear it. Rand wanted to use that song along with a part of LA TRAVIATA as part of the abandoned novel portrayed in JOURNALS OF AYN RAND. I would love to have read that, I really wish that novel had been finished...if there is a heaven, my conception of it would be a library of all the unfinished music and literature of all my favorite artists.

Post 21

Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 11:17am

Joe,

Thank you for the confirmation. I wanted to point out what Ayn Rand said about Beethoven's music being malevolent because it has been argued vehemently in other threads that hip hop and/or heavy metal is not good music per Objectivist aesthetics. I find it ironic that many of the people who argue that are into Beethoven and/or Mozart.

I forget how the quote goes but I think Ayn Rand wrote that until someone comes along and comes up with a definitive Objectivist philosophy of music, it can be difficult to judge the value of music (or any art), especially when comparing them to others.

As for music Rand liked, I remember in the documentary "Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life" that she liked "tiddly-winks" music. I wonder if anyone here can agree with her aesthetic preference (I don't).

For the record, I much prefer operas to heavy metal or rap, but I'm not going to criticize those who think otherwise.

(Edited by Byron Garcia on 10/21, 11:19am)

Post 22

Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 11:28am

Byron: "Thank you for the confirmation. I wanted to point out what Ayn Rand said about Beethoven's music being malevolent because it has been argued vehemently in other threads that hip hop and/or heavy metal is not good music per Objectivist aesthetics. I find it ironic that many of the people who argue that are into Beethoven and/or Mozart."

Understood. Though several have already made the point, the irony seems to be lost on those making the accusations...but if you can present the case better, I'll read it. :)

Post 23

Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 8:50am

I can't believe that the fifth symphony didn't make this list. Take a poll just about anywhere in the world regarding which Beethoven symphony is the best, and the majority vote will be split between the 9th and the 5th, with the rest barely receiving honourable mention. And yet, it's not even a choice on this poll! I suspect heavy personal bias on the part of the poll author.

My choice is the fifth, as not only Beethoven's best piece, but as my favourite piece of music of all time.

Post 24

Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 12:32pm

Didn't Ayn Rand write somewhere (I think it was "The Romantic Manifesto") that Beethoven's music was written from a malevolent universe premise?

Yes! Yes!

[to borrow the persona of a greater colleague]

As someone who is no longer ashamed of a malevolent universe premise of planetary proportions... or more strictly, who sees the universe as such as shimmeringly benevolent but society as an inescapable universe of its own, inevitably hateful of the highest good and suspicious of others... I find myself in quite good company.

This lone watcher chants a hymn
to distant star in darkening sky.
For I, beneath this night dome grim
have watched each flare and fire die.

Shine on, blessed Ludwig van!

Jeanine Ring

Post 25

Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 3:22pm

Missing from that list are Beethoven's string quartets. And in my opinion, they are by far his best work.

Post 26

Friday, October 22, 2004 - 7:01pm

"Will o' The Wisp"? Is that the hit written by Leon Russell, or am I confused?

Alec

Post 27

Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 1:56am

Poll within a poll

Should we be at all worried that the 'Ludwig van Who?" option has so far attracted 25% of the votes???

1) Yes
2) No

(By 'we' of course I mean the other 75%...)

Post 28

Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 2:06am

Let me clarify. There IS a song, written/performed by Leon Russell, called "Will o' the Wisp." It's one of his biggest hits, and I have it.

I'm wondering if that's the one Rand liked.

Post 29

Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 8:03am

I'm not sure, because I thought Leon Russell came along later, but not really familiar with his work.

Post 30

Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 12:18pm

Should we be at all worried that the 'Ludwig van Who?" option has so far attracted 25% of the votes???

I believe 20% of television viewers didn't watch Neil Armstrong become the first man to touch his foot on the moon. They didn't want to miss Laugh-In. This is the same bunch.

Post 31

Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 4:29pm

Joe,

Leon Russell came along in the 70s, and Will O' The Wisp is from the lower-mid 70s.

And you are not familiar with Leon Russell?! One of the best songwriters/performers in Rock history! A Song for You. Tight Rope. Delta Lady. Hummingbird. Will o' the Wisp. Etc.

Man, I hate you more than ever.

Alec

Post 32

Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 8:42pm

I have disgraced myself, Alec. I will now commit hari kari. UGH---ooh, Simpsons are on...

Post 33

Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 9:17pm

Joe-

May I please disgrace you instead?

Jeanie

Post 34

Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 9:31pm

Sure, Jeanine, doesn't seem like I can finish the job, too easily distracted; besides, it seems like it's open season, anyway. Just play moonlight sonata at my funeral. (there, we are back on topic.)

Post 35

Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 10:12pm

I wish to second the enthusiasm for Leon Russell, whose first album I listened to daily back in my graduate school days in the early 70s, maybe even earlier. A Song For you was one of my favorites and remains so. While the anti-Vietnam War politics on the LP is at times a bit irritating because it slides into anti-Americanism (with his parody of the song "Oh, can you see..."), the rest of the music rocks, with a couple of them (like Hummingbird) very sweet and tender.

Post 36

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 12:55pm