Ed's talk: Apr 26, 2009

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Stop the Music

As a composer of so-called art music, I can say that when I'm composing, especially if I'm stuck at something, it plays over and over in my head till I'm ready to yell "Uncle" or something less printable or even, if possible, solve the problem. And If I'm not in composing mode, I will hear what I'd been listening to last, whether mine or someone else's. Since it's not even a main section most of the time, I'm obliged to follow it through in my head till I can identify it.



The only remedy is to play something else which will, in turn, get stuck in my head.



Fortunately, I've washed the lamentable Les Miz song out of my memory by now and will avoid Susan's clip in the near future as much as possible.



In some instances, the ability of a song to lodge in the memory seems related to how bad it is. So anything by Andrew or Claude-Michel is a prime candidate. And, I have unfond memories of the opening song in the kiddy-film "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" with the 8 year old Pia Zadora. (This film's greatness is fully expressed in its title! I have no recollection as to why I'd bothered with it.)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus_Conquers_the_Martians



I would warn anyone who wants to preserve their sanity, not to listen to this song or even see the film!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost