Re: [microsound] memory and melody

[MVFarley@xxxxxxx]

I think I am pretty familiar with Satie's music.  I know "Vexations," and I 
don't think it's one of his most distinguished pieces.  It's in his "chorale" 
style, so there is not just one melody, but many, submerged among the various 
voices.  Having said that, I think it is more likely to be effective 
throughout 24 hours of repetitions, especially because it doesn't really have 
a "hook."  Listening to say, one of the Gymnopedies repeated over 800 times 
would, I think, be unbearable.  There is also the element here of a dadaist 
joke, which doesn't in any way decrease its value.  I believe Cage organized 
a complete performance in NY with a bunch of pianists.  I think for someone 
to take Satie's instructions literally is the punch line to the joke.  

As far as memory goes, I would expect that after 24 hours that I wouldn't be 
capable of whistling one of the themes either.  I remember the piece as being 
very tonally de-centralized, it's always leading somewhere but never really 
sits down in any satisfying manner.  Perhaps this was some kind of parody of 
Wagner, who was an aesthetic enemy of all French composers of that period - 
so much of Wagner's music never resolves and goes on forever.

This brings up an interesting question, though.  Does anyone else remember 
music as a kind of graphic simulation?  Sometimes I can remember what a piece 
"looks like" in my head better than what it actualy sounded like.

michael 

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