Kyle Preston
I Think, Therefore I Ambient
It was another thread a long time ago, don’t remember which one. But @Rodney Money posted Charles Ives' The Unanswered Question.
I’ve been obsessed with this piece ever since which led me back to the Bernstein lectures of the same title. I watched them years ago, at a time when I was a little too into drugs and had a less than stellar memory. So I watched them again recently on dvd.
And have to say it’s been one of the best things I’ve done with my time as a composer. I cannot recommend the insights he offers enough. What Bernstein taught me is that we all, every single one of us here, stand on the shoulders of giants; monumental geniuses of empathy and musical understanding.
I have no idea what tangible impact his lectures will have on my work (or outlook) but I don’t think I’ve ever felt this empowered to keep writing, keep creating and keep working.
Wanted to share this because it’s too easy to feel cynical about our industry (film, music, licensing, pick your poison). Bernstein offers a view far richer and more impactful than any modern compositional/songwriting advice I’ve seen on YouTube, Google, etc… It’s something missing from the internet these days, that feeling we call wonder.
Bernstein was a musician that helped musicians. To me, he feels like the incarnation of my favorite Mark Twain quote:
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
Bernstein is one of the really great. I hope his ideas are as inspiring to you as they have been to me.
[steps down from soapbox]
I’ve been obsessed with this piece ever since which led me back to the Bernstein lectures of the same title. I watched them years ago, at a time when I was a little too into drugs and had a less than stellar memory. So I watched them again recently on dvd.
And have to say it’s been one of the best things I’ve done with my time as a composer. I cannot recommend the insights he offers enough. What Bernstein taught me is that we all, every single one of us here, stand on the shoulders of giants; monumental geniuses of empathy and musical understanding.
I have no idea what tangible impact his lectures will have on my work (or outlook) but I don’t think I’ve ever felt this empowered to keep writing, keep creating and keep working.
Wanted to share this because it’s too easy to feel cynical about our industry (film, music, licensing, pick your poison). Bernstein offers a view far richer and more impactful than any modern compositional/songwriting advice I’ve seen on YouTube, Google, etc… It’s something missing from the internet these days, that feeling we call wonder.
Bernstein was a musician that helped musicians. To me, he feels like the incarnation of my favorite Mark Twain quote:
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”
Bernstein is one of the really great. I hope his ideas are as inspiring to you as they have been to me.
[steps down from soapbox]