re: Andrew Lloyd Weber is the greatest musical genius of our time

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Complex music doesn't equate to great music either.

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I didnt say anything about complexity. I have nothing against simplicity. Many of the great melodies of all time come from traditional folk music around the world, not "great" composers.

I am saying that, by and large, Weber's work lacks sincere or deep emotional content. It is superficial, and goes nowhere beyond an occasional catchy tune. It is filled with cheap gimmicks and repetitive dramatic gestures. It sounds like it could have been written by a programmed machine. It has no connection to the human soul.

It's like saying "MacDonald's is the greatest cuisine of our time", or "Avatar is the greatest film of out time".


eta: I dont mean to knock you bro, and I am happy for you if you enjoy listening to these soundtracks of musicals, you should keep doin it and more power to you.

Jus sayin, if you are not familiar with some of the cornerstones of the symphonic literature, definitely check them out - it may really change your life. There are thousands of hours of totally original music by true geniuses of the last 400 years that have plumbed the depths of the human experience and spirit, and poured their soul on to the page. Look to them to see what music can really be.

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eta: I dont mean to knock you bro, and I am happy for you if you enjoy listening to these soundtracks of musicals, you should keep doin it and more power to you. Jus sayin, if you are not familiar with some of the cornerstones of the symphonic literature, definitely check them out - it may really change your life. There are thousands of hours of totally original music by true geniuses of the last 400 years that have plumbed the depths of the human experience and spirit, and poured their soul on to the page. Look to them to see what music can really be.

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I know you're not trying to knock me, it's just a discussion. No hard feelings.

You're obviously well versed in music theory, so I will give you a little background to show that I'm not just some shallow, vapid individual who likes only Weber's music. I'm a multi instrumentalist, playing piano, saxophone, guitar, and bassoon, as well as a recent foray into violin. I have many years of orchestral playing, and I'm a songwriter in my spare time.

My love for Weber's music is for many of the reasons you said. The way he can manipulate small, catchy melodies and the basic dramatic passages. The fact that he can use these common techniques and still create great music is what I find so impressive. Sure, he's not as technically proficient as, let's say, Zappa, but I have so much respect for the way he can use such simple techniques to captivate so many people. I know his works can come off as shallow, but Phantom of the Opera connects to me in a very special way. It is definitely his finest work; the way the songs go back to each other and all interconnect is very fascinating musically.

It's just a different set of feelings for me when I listen to Weber vs people like Handel, Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, etc. With them, I am wowed by their abilities to compose such great passages and movements, and I can just sit back and bask in the greatness of it. With Weber, I just love how he can make great music as well (thought not as brilliant as the classics, of course), but with a totally different skillset and method of composition.

I totally see where you're coming from, bro. Definitely understandable.

ETA: Sorry for my incoherent phrasing and lack of depth, I'm posting on mobile at work and I hate typing on my phone. I will go more in depth when I'm on a computer

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I saw Phantom in Vegas and almost fell asleep.

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LINK

God I love this song

Phanton of the Opera is the fricking shizzznit

Gee, when I heard Cats the first time I recognized some stuff off of Yessongs.

Ben Afleck was the bomb in Phantom yo!

But, for realz. ALW is great at putting music to previous thought.
Music of the night, memories, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dont cry for me Argentina, and anything from sunset boulevard.

The man gets it done.