Great idea Dave, as a younger guy myself who is interested in what you do I think you’re doing a great public service. I am not much of a writer myself, but I’m eager to learn from this series!
I'm 22! I'm so thankful we have your videos to refer to!! I'm excited to see where these masterclasses go. I might be interested in learning how to write reviews one day.
Happy (somewhat belated) Birthday Dave!!! This idea you propose is fascinating to me...definitely an art form in itself. We can all learn from this, and even if the rest of us never reach your level, it will be alot of fun trying to encapsulate, in 3 paragraphs, our own sense of the audible facts!
For those of us who are still classical beginners seeing this master class would improve our critical listening skills (and be fun). I hope you get enough writers to go forward with this class.
This is an absolutely necessary initiative. Half the time I try to take up writing, I end up writing some incipient form of music criticism. I will watch this closely.
I love Dave Hurwitz madly. He's such a a wonderful ambassador of music, constantly finding new paths to engage people in meaningful and fulfilling ways. On the event of this great man's birthday I am sending wishes for continued creativity and ever increasing success in all his endeavors. Effusive thanks for the beautiful work you do!
Such a cool idea! It'd be tough picking something I feel I know well enough to write about but I may just take a crack at this in the not-too-distant future.
In a past life I actually wrote film criticism for a living. It was easier before the internet completely devalued the profession, everyone became convinced they could do it, and your average person couldn't tell the difference between those that could and couldn't. I always had high standards for myself and others and always felt the number of people who had the requisite expertise and talent were miniscule, and even rarer were those who understood that subjective evaluations needed to be balanced with objective observation and contextual knowledge. I think your criteria are essential qualities of all good criticism regardless of medium. Unfortunately I never felt I was qualified when it came to criticizing classical records. My music expertise is very limited (I can follow a score, but not always perfectly) and my discographical knowledge/experience is perhaps even more limited outside of a handful of works. I may give this a shot just for the hell of it, though.
Great idea, but I think criterias you set up will be quite demanding for most of us. With lack of response, perhaps the concept could be reintroduced under a two or three tier system (e.g., amateur class, bachelor class and master class). Anyway, looking forward to it.
Superb idea. BASICS!! Amen. I've been in music 'forever' - if it isn't clear, in tune, and 'musical', nobody wants to hear it. Writing is the same way. I have a novel and two short stories published. That's not much, but I learned: Make it clear, and don't BS the reader. Good chance they are smarter than you. I might enjoy trying this, too. I encourage all to participate.
I shall be fascinated. I shall be particularly fascinated to learn how much musicological technical knowledge you need. I have a huge music collection I care about deeply, and I can judge things in the shower, to myself, without difficulty. But conveying subjective 'feels' to others has always seemed pointless... and the minute you try to go objective reality, you rapidly realise that if you don't have the technical chops, you just can't. So... looking forward to this very much. 😅
Having done some comparative recording reviews for Seattle Opera magazine of the opera being produced at the time, I would say that criterion No. 4 definitely is to have an alert, knowledgeable editor who'll catch your mistakes and lapses. She saved my bacon any number of times.
Boy, 'three pithy paragraphs' sounded like 'no more than 350 paragraphs' at first. I'd love the series, by the way. A class was offered in college and I wanted to take it, but the lecturer was, shall we say, 'unexciting'? in the extreme.
What a GREAT idea...Bravo! The written word has been dieing for several years everywhere & in everything...this will be fun👍 I may submit a sample review on the Worlds most important Tam - Tam concerto 😂
So often, I hear people who are dismissive of critics of the arts. Usually because they don't like what they said. What they don't recognize is that a good critic brings out more and shines light to help us see. Yes, it's also an opinion; with which one might or perhaps does not agree, based upon their own perspective and background of what they're bringing as a listener or viewer. And, frankly (as a one time Broadway critic advised when I asked for a thought from his experience) they should be entertaining in their own right. It is an art (words I was writing exactly as David spoke them.) There are various approaches for intent and material. Is one reviewing an upcoming artist doing new work or something well established and someone well paid, for instance? Is your desire to build up (in which certain things might be emphasized and others somewhat forgiven) or to break down in detail (not destroy; but for clarity to the reader, and hoped for improvement of the performer?) And, admittedly, there might be personal concerns at play as to access to performers or relationships which assist in understanding situations, reporting worthwhile or accurate details, sourcing information, or perhaps even one's own opportunities. These should always be considered by a careful consumer of criticism. Still, so much can be said by someone who knows how to express with words (spoken or in writing) something of value. Without critics, we'd be so much less.
The goal of record criticism has changed. It is no longer there to help people decide whether to spend money on expensive copies of recordings to preciously keep on limited shelves at home but to decide whether to spend some listening time on something that is virtually free (one subscription for all you can hear) and takes no space. While the core skills of listening remain the same, some questions have become pointless. The "which one to buy?" question is replaced with "what else is there worth listening to?". "Is it worth owning? is replaced with "is it worth checking out and see what I think?".
Good heavens! This new series comes at an especially significant time for a St. Louisan who is facing future reviews from a newly hired music and entertainment "critic" for an unnamed local media outlet. In an interview this person promises to "tell stories about art" that includes "a faint scent in the wind" and the "tears they shed " when first hearing so-and-so. "Every artist I've ever heard, and every artist I've encountered has left me wanting to write their stories." "I hope you take the time to listen to your favorite song, and I hope the stories I tell become some of your favorite stories to read." After writing this comment, I intend to listen to "Parsifal" and wait with bated breath as to what this "critic's" story is about that "song," so maybe their "story" will be my "favorite." What would Alexander Pope say about all this in his "Essay on Criticism?"
I write film criticism, and the requisites of "writing," "no autobiography," and "know the discography" can't be stressed enough for a serious thinker on the arts.
To become an able music critic you must be quite well educated in all kinds of things. Music history, music theory, especially music analysis, etc... But in all these things you should also be undogmatic and ready to investigate new things. In the latter many music critics of the past (Hanslick, Adorno...) have failed, mainly because they were too involved in certain trends of the time, or vehemently reacting against it. To me it seems an impossible job. David clearly fills an important gap. Many times I have found new interesting repertoire to listen to!
This promises to be a fun experiment. But after hearing all that's required to write a review, I think I will continue out-sourcing mine to the staff at Classics Today.
I love reading and listening to good music criticism because it enhances my appreciation of the music. The more I know about a piece, the more I get out of it. I don't enjoy surprises in serious music; I prefer to be well-informed. When I listen to CDs, I'm not just interested in the music itself but also in the recording process-what challenges were faced, how they were overcome, and so on. I also like to compare different recordings, explore historical references, and see how the music has been used, whether in film soundtracks or, unfortunately, in advertisements. What I've always wanted is an "extra layer" of insight-a music critic, historian, or even a musician to guide us on what to listen for. This kind of commentary, much like what is often included in DVD releases of films, would help me notice details I might have missed otherwise. I love your attitude David to music - thanks for what you do.
Great idea Dave, as a younger guy myself who is interested in what you do I think you’re doing a great public service. I am not much of a writer myself, but I’m eager to learn from this series!
Happy Birthday Dave! Best wishes from your youtube community!
🎉🎉🎉yeah! Happy birthday DAVE!!!!
Thanks so much!
Happy Birthday, Dave. I hope you are being spoiled by your family and doing something special and fun.
Happy happy, Dave! 🎉
I'm 22! I'm so thankful we have your videos to refer to!! I'm excited to see where these masterclasses go. I might be interested in learning how to write reviews one day.
Dave this not just a UA-cam channel, it’s a. GIFT!!!
Happy (somewhat belated) Birthday Dave!!! This idea you propose is fascinating to me...definitely an art form in itself. We can all learn from this, and even if the rest of us never reach your level, it will be alot of fun trying to encapsulate, in 3 paragraphs, our own sense of the audible facts!
For those of us who are still classical beginners seeing this master class would improve our critical listening skills (and be fun). I hope you get enough writers to go forward with this class.
Me too!
This sounds like fun. Looking forward to it.
I am so excited to participate and listen to these upcoming classes. Thank you for doing this!
You are so welcome!
Yes please!!! Please do this, Dave, and thanks for everything you’ve done already!
I’m scared already, but I’ll think about it!
Happy Birthday Dave! Thanks for being you. And mostly, thank you for being so generous with your knowledge.
Thank you!
This is an absolutely necessary initiative. Half the time I try to take up writing, I end up writing some incipient form of music criticism. I will watch this closely.
I wish I knew enough about the discography to participate; however, I’ll absolutely be paying attention to this series.
I love Dave Hurwitz madly. He's such a a wonderful ambassador of music, constantly finding new paths to engage people in meaningful and fulfilling ways. On the event of this great man's birthday I am sending wishes for continued creativity and ever increasing success in all his endeavors. Effusive thanks for the beautiful work you do!
Thank you! Love ya back!
Such a cool idea! It'd be tough picking something I feel I know well enough to write about but I may just take a crack at this in the not-too-distant future.
In a past life I actually wrote film criticism for a living. It was easier before the internet completely devalued the profession, everyone became convinced they could do it, and your average person couldn't tell the difference between those that could and couldn't. I always had high standards for myself and others and always felt the number of people who had the requisite expertise and talent were miniscule, and even rarer were those who understood that subjective evaluations needed to be balanced with objective observation and contextual knowledge. I think your criteria are essential qualities of all good criticism regardless of medium.
Unfortunately I never felt I was qualified when it came to criticizing classical records. My music expertise is very limited (I can follow a score, but not always perfectly) and my discographical knowledge/experience is perhaps even more limited outside of a handful of works. I may give this a shot just for the hell of it, though.
This is awesome. Super busy right now but I wanna try if I can. Thanks Dave!
Ok, I sent you my review! Let's see if I come out of this without any egg on my face. And Happy Bday Dave! 🙂
Thank you Charles.
I'm currently start criticism in live concert but I want to know more about recordings too. Thanks dave!
OMG, PLEASE DO!? Mr. Hurwitz, I would love to learn a few things from your insight. Thank you for your contributions to the classical community 😁.
Great idea, but I think criterias you set up will be quite demanding for most of us. With lack of response, perhaps the concept could be reintroduced under a two or three tier system (e.g., amateur class, bachelor class and master class). Anyway, looking forward to it.
Really interesting idea.
Superb idea. BASICS!! Amen. I've been in music 'forever' - if it isn't clear, in tune, and 'musical', nobody wants to hear it. Writing is the same way. I have a novel and two short stories published. That's not much, but I learned: Make it clear, and don't BS the reader. Good chance they are smarter than you. I might enjoy trying this, too. I encourage all to participate.
I shall be fascinated. I shall be particularly fascinated to learn how much musicological technical knowledge you need. I have a huge music collection I care about deeply, and I can judge things in the shower, to myself, without difficulty. But conveying subjective 'feels' to others has always seemed pointless... and the minute you try to go objective reality, you rapidly realise that if you don't have the technical chops, you just can't. So... looking forward to this very much. 😅
Having done some comparative recording reviews for Seattle Opera magazine of the opera being produced at the time, I would say that criterion No. 4 definitely is to have an alert, knowledgeable editor who'll catch your mistakes and lapses. She saved my bacon any number of times.
Lovely 🎉
Boy, 'three pithy paragraphs' sounded like 'no more than 350 paragraphs' at first.
I'd love the series, by the way. A class was offered in college and I wanted to take it, but the lecturer was, shall we say, 'unexciting'? in the extreme.
What a GREAT idea...Bravo!
The written word has been dieing for several years everywhere & in everything...this will be fun👍
I may submit a sample review on the Worlds most important Tam - Tam concerto 😂
So often, I hear people who are dismissive of critics of the arts. Usually because they don't like what they said. What they don't recognize is that a good critic brings out more and shines light to help us see. Yes, it's also an opinion; with which one might or perhaps does not agree, based upon their own perspective and background of what they're bringing as a listener or viewer. And, frankly (as a one time Broadway critic advised when I asked for a thought from his experience) they should be entertaining in their own right. It is an art (words I was writing exactly as David spoke them.)
There are various approaches for intent and material. Is one reviewing an upcoming artist doing new work or something well established and someone well paid, for instance? Is your desire to build up (in which certain things might be emphasized and others somewhat forgiven) or to break down in detail (not destroy; but for clarity to the reader, and hoped for improvement of the performer?)
And, admittedly, there might be personal concerns at play as to access to performers or relationships which assist in understanding situations, reporting worthwhile or accurate details, sourcing information, or perhaps even one's own opportunities. These should always be considered by a careful consumer of criticism.
Still, so much can be said by someone who knows how to express with words (spoken or in writing) something of value. Without critics, we'd be so much less.
Sigh...thank you!
The goal of record criticism has changed. It is no longer there to help people decide whether to spend money on expensive copies of recordings to preciously keep on limited shelves at home but to decide whether to spend some listening time on something that is virtually free (one subscription for all you can hear) and takes no space.
While the core skills of listening remain the same, some questions have become pointless. The "which one to buy?" question is replaced with "what else is there worth listening to?". "Is it worth owning? is replaced with "is it worth checking out and see what I think?".
That's not really true, but I get your general point.
Good heavens! This new series comes at an especially significant time for a St. Louisan who is facing future reviews from a newly hired music and entertainment "critic" for an unnamed local media outlet. In an interview this person promises to "tell stories about art" that includes "a faint scent in the wind" and the "tears they shed " when first hearing so-and-so. "Every artist I've ever heard, and every artist I've encountered has left me wanting to write their stories." "I hope you take the time to listen to your favorite song, and I hope the stories I tell become some of your favorite stories to read." After writing this comment, I intend to listen to "Parsifal" and wait with bated breath as to what this "critic's" story is about that "song," so maybe their "story" will be my "favorite." What would Alexander Pope say about all this in his "Essay on Criticism?"
As a fan of “First Hearing“ with Irving Kolodin, George Jellinek, Martin Bookspan, et. al., I look forward to this series!
And ME! I was a panelist on that show numerous times. It was great fun,
@@DavesClassicalGuide Loved George Jellinek--wish WQXR would re-broadcast his many interviews.
I am in! please do :)
I write film criticism, and the requisites of "writing," "no autobiography," and "know the discography" can't be stressed enough for a serious thinker on the arts.
To become an able music critic you must be quite well educated in all kinds of things. Music history, music theory, especially music analysis, etc... But in all these things you should also be undogmatic and ready to investigate new things. In the latter many music critics of the past (Hanslick, Adorno...) have failed, mainly because they were too involved in certain trends of the time, or vehemently reacting against it. To me it seems an impossible job. David clearly fills an important gap. Many times I have found new interesting repertoire to listen to!
This promises to be a fun experiment. But after hearing all that's required to write a review, I think I will continue out-sourcing mine to the staff at Classics Today.
I love reading and listening to good music criticism because it enhances my appreciation of the music. The more I know about a piece, the more I get out of it. I don't enjoy surprises in serious music; I prefer to be well-informed. When I listen to CDs, I'm not just interested in the music itself but also in the recording process-what challenges were faced, how they were overcome, and so on. I also like to compare different recordings, explore historical references, and see how the music has been used, whether in film soundtracks or, unfortunately, in advertisements.
What I've always wanted is an "extra layer" of insight-a music critic, historian, or even a musician to guide us on what to listen for. This kind of commentary, much like what is often included in DVD releases of films, would help me notice details I might have missed otherwise.
I love your attitude David to music - thanks for what you do.