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Music Criticism (Innovation)

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= Music Criticism (Innovation) =

In recent years, not only in music but in art in general, it has become possible for people without formal training to create works, unlike before.
As a result, the world is flooded with a vast number of works.
Among these works, there are some that are innovative and groundbreaking.

That raises a question I keep coming back to: where's the line between "innovative" and "just bad"?

For example, there may be novel instrumentation.
This can be seen as innovative, or it can be seen as a sign of a lack of formal training.
If that person did not have formal training, would that innovation automatically turn the work into a bad one?
While that possibility exists, it also depends heavily on the artist and the context, and could be seen as missing the point of looking at the work itself.

This gets even more complicated in an era where a single plugin and a handful of preset algorithms can generate something that sounds "novel" with almost no effort.
If anyone can produce unconventional sounds at the push of a button, what kind of innovation actually deserves praise?
What do you think? Please share your opinions freely!

= My opinions =

As a premise, we need to reaffirm that our values are relative.
In other words, what we value is entirely dependent on the individual.
On the other hand, it is also true that there are works by composers such as Mozart and Bach that have such a firm reputation that they could almost be considered objective.
These evaluations are often a form of ideology, based on popular opinion, critical acclaim, or the belief that a great composer said so.
I think such evaluations are a hindrance to discovering new talent because, while they appear objective, they are often seen as a kind of definitive answer.
Once that definitive answer is established, fixed rules are created, much like the instrumentation examples mentioned earlier. (I am aware of the calculated and excellent instrumentation in some pieces.)
Considering all of this, my own evaluation criterion has become simple: "Does the music have a shocking impact on me?"
This is without considering the composer's background.

Well, I've tried to write this in a cool way, but honestly, I love Bach and Mozart, and I love classical music in general 😁
Anyway, I'd be happy if it sparks discussion and you enjoy it!
I don't think my opinions are correct at all, and they're rough around the edges, so I'd love to hear your opinions!

Edited by Lithl

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