Jump to content

Sex in music?


magyari

Recommended Posts

Of course, there are a lot of pieces, which have some sexual allusions, the best example is the Rite of Spring (as the great master Bernstein said: 'The Rite of Spring is about... sex').

I've heard about a Clitoris-Fantasy (for piano). I have a flute etude which is titled: 'Sighs in the Night' - its about sad-masturbation.

But what do YOU think about sex in music?

gollam12

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've heard Ravel's Bolero been compared to sex before. I've heard one of Wagner's operas be compared to sex (don't remember wihch one). I've always found Scriabin's 5th sonata to have some sexual overtones to it. A lot of Debussy's music seems drench in sensuality (not just Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun either). I've heard the first movement of Beethoven's 9th symphony be compared to rape... though that seems like a bit of a stretch.

Anyway, my point is, I think it's very possible to find sexual parallels in music. Whether or not it means anything though, I doubt it. It's just more pointless music mysticism in my opinion. The older the get, the less I feel the need to describe music in abstract philosophy. It's an interesting topic but one that I don't really think has any actual relevance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is the theory that music is, fundamentally, a sort of glorified mating ritual. Susan McClary also famously claimed that Beethoven's 9th constituted some kind of rape...although rape is not exactly the same thing as sex.

I certainly think music can be primal, instinctual and sensual, much like sex. But beyond those surface characteristics, theorizing beyond this point is most likely the domain of academics. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems that Mahler always have a climax, and then another, and then a greater one, and then an even greater one, and then an even greater one, and then an even greater one, then the climax has a climax.......and then a cooling off period.

Hmmm. :hmmm:

There. Fixed for you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard this one big band piece where the whole band stopped and they clicked claves together four times and then the singer was like, "wasn't that good?" and man it's more funny actually hearing it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wrote a Concerto for Two Tubas, Police Siren, Kazoo, and String Orchestra in which the conductor and the concertmaster must copulate and produce specific noises at very high pitches.

That's terrible instrumentation! No polar bear?! And you call yourself a composer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've heard one of Wagner's operas be compared to sex (don't remember wihch one).

I think you are refering to the love duet from Tristan und Isolde, where there allegedly have been included musical representations of seven simultaneous orgasms... talking about some love, are we? :toothygrin:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sure some of those sex-composition associations are imagine by people, ... what the composer really wanted to mean ?... sometimes is a mystery. Although other associations are very clear indeed.

for me an Orchestral Score is a wonderful world where to hide things,... is fascinating.

That's terrible instrumentation!

I wouldn't say terrible,... funny is....

.... what about a trio for "Typing Machine", "Vacuum cleaner", "Hammer Drill", ....interesting ? :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, Shostakovich's 10th symphony was composed in 1953, when Stalin died.. the 2nd movement (which is a furious march, or something like that, where the 'death comes' -- Bb minor, which is the darkest key) has the Stalin-theme, in the opinion of nowadays. And of course the D Eb C H (B) theme, which is the signature of Shostakovich appears everywhere.. That is a really good piece :)

Anyway, I'm happy, that I could make a thread which is interesting for you, if my pieces are not :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...