Discussion Topic: The Significance Of A Composition/composer

Do you think that in order for a composition to be suitable for, or deserving of repeated performances and enduring fame, it would have to rise above being a mere personal expression (no matter how original) on the part of the composer, to offer a universally relevant expression, to resonate with the common (or perhaps not so common) human experience?

And if that is indeed the case (and I believe that it is, especially in the case of the great composers), then of what does greatness in music consist? What are those universally relevant musical expressions? What kind of person would be able to compose them?

What set of conditions do you believe would determine that they should be capable of composing them?:

Great artistic sense/judgement and ability?

Great musical talent?

Great musical intelligence?

Their music carrying a special message that is resonant with or required for the times and circumstances in which they happen to be composing?

The historical period in which they happen to be living, and or the country or region in which they live?

The proper personality (perhaps the qualities of a leader expressing themselves through music)?

Particular circumstances in their lives?

Their (high?) developmental level and psychological health and resilience?

The right training?

Or perhaps it is the rare convergence of all of the above that determines a great musical genius?

What is it that in the final analysis raises a piece of music (or a composer) from mediocrity to universally accepted greatness?

(In your answers to the topic, try to make use of your experience both as a composer and as an appreciator of great music!)

Generally the answer is good combination of cultural significance and universal appeal.

Some of the most critically acclaimed music becomes engrained in history not just because their material is particularly good, but because it best represents the attitudes and values of the era it was written. If you look back at any jazz standard, the 60s counter-culture era, or any classical period, you'll find music that resonates with people from those times - and that's significant because it tells us of the hopes/dreams/values/aspirations of the period. That's why we value and remember it.

I recommend "How to Be Famous Composer 4 Dummies" book.

Mozart uuse it

I am trying to understand what creates genius in music, the conditions, etc. I don't think that knowledge can always be applied by someone aspiring to become a famous composer themselves. And even if it could, the result might sound artificial and unoriginal. However, they could at least know why some composers become great and others not, and so "forgive" themselves if they aren't a great composer. Such knowledge can also serve as a way to explain and accept the small (at least relative to the great compositional geniuses in history) artistic value of one's own music!