Constantinou 1

George Constantinou ID# 0822751

Prof. Carlee Travis

L-PR 1301: Introduction to College Writing

09/17/2017 Phase 1 Exercise 2

Artists and Audience

Different music pieces and different genres and traditions serve a different purpose, so I

believe that the ideal relationship between artists and audiences is the one that helps the purpose

of each music.

For me music is a very internal and spiritual experience. It resonates with my inner

thoughts and emotions and guides me through the incomprehensible reality. It helps me

understand my emotions and look deeper into myself. I dont think that music is some kind of

divine truth that solves all of your problems, its more like a way of meditation to a more self-

conscious state.

That being said, I think that when it comes to music whose purpose is to try and move

you, and I say try because its a very subjective matter as to which piece will move you, the

audience should be in a state where one will be able to take in the music and be open to what the

music may have to communicate. Aaron Copland writes What has the listener understood? In

anything was understood, then it must have been whatever it was the composer tried to

communicate, and I believe that one cant be more wrong than that (The Gifted Listener, p16).

There is not one right way to perceive what music has to say, each individual translates the

notes to something unique and makes his/her own conclusion as for the meaning of the piece.
 Constantinou 2

Glenn Gould in his text Lets ban applause writes something that really enunciates what Im

trying to say, the justification of art is the internal combustion it ignites in the heart of men

and not its shallow, externalized, public manifestations. (p246).

Also, the audience has to have an opinion and to be able to express it, in a not offensive

way to the other members of the audience who enjoy the music, besides no one is forced to

like a certain piece of music.

On the other hand, there are music genres that their purpose is to entertain people and

make them dance, sing, and have fun and this should not be undermined at all, especially by all

the pseudo-intellectual musicians-purists. Unfortunately, there are people whose view of what

music should be also affects the way they see other people, and that attitude drives audiences

away from the music they represent.

In conclusion, I believe that audience and artists must realize that theres a time and a

place for every kind of music and purpose. We should not let our egos, prejudices and sense of

knowledge become the limit to something as broad and unlimited as music.