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Planet Beethoven
Classical Music at the Turn of the Millennium
Series: Music / Culture
Sales Date: 2014-11-04
Exploring the complexities and significance of classical music today
In Planet Beethoven, Mina Yang makes the compelling case that classical music in the twenty-first century is just as vibrant and relevant as ever—but with significant changes that give us insight into the major cultural shifts of our day. Perusing events, projects, programs, writings, musicians, and compositions, Yang shines a spotlight on the Western art music tradition. The book covers an array of topics, from the use of Beethoven's "Für Elise" in YouTube clips and hip-hop, to the marketing claims of Baby Einstein products, and the new forms of music education introduced by Gustavo Dudamel, conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. While the book is global in its outlook, each chapter investigates the unique attributes of a specific performer, performance, or event. One chapter reflects on Chinese pianist Yuja Wang's controversial performance at the Hollywood Bowl, another explores the highly symbolic Passion 2000 Project in Stuttgart, Germany. Sure to be of interest to students, professionals, and aficionados, Planet Beethoven traces the tensions that arise from the "classical" nature of this tradition and our rapidly changing world.
Prelude
"Für Elise" Circa 2000
Interlude One: Baby Einstein and Classical Music for Little People
From Hagiography to Pathography
Interlude Two: Glenn Gould, the Last of the Musical Geniuses
East Meets West in the Concert Hall
Millennial Passions
Interlude Three: The Little Orange Dress
Moulin Rouge! and the Undoing of Opera
Interlude Four: The Digital Concert Hall
El Sistema L.A.
Postlude
Appendix 1: Filmography
Appendix 2: Discography
Notes
Bibliography
Index
MINA YANG is the author of California Polyphony: Ethnic Voices, Musical Crossroads. She has taught at universities and music schools throughout California and currently resides in Los Angeles.
"In her brilliant account of classical music in the twenty-first century, Yang avoids the too common pronouncements of its demise or defensive sermons mounted on its behalf. She offers instead a series of case studies demonstrating how this music in fact permeates contemporary culture, though often in ways that would seem alien to its traditional advocates. This is an exceedingly timely book."
~Susan McClary, Case Western Reserve University
""Yang argues that the demise of western art music is largely exaggerated. Her insightful study of contemporary reception examines the subject from many angles—specific works, institutions, composers, performers, and collaborators—in the contexts of gender, class, nationalities, and cultural hierarchies.""
~Patricia Stroh, The Beethoven Journal
""Yang's view is that music today is vibrant and relevant, although its face is different from that of the past—a provocative stance that should provide fodder for interesting discussions by performers and 'passive participants' alike. Recommended [for] all readers.""
~J. P. Ambrose, Choice
""In her brilliant account of classical music in the twenty-first century, Yang avoids the too common pronouncements of its demise or defensive sermons mounted on its behalf. She offers instead a series of case studies demonstrating how this music in fact permeates contemporary culture, though often in ways that would seem alien to its traditional advocates. This is an exceedingly timely book.""
~Susan McClary, Case Western Reserve University
""This book raises the level of discourse on the state of classical music today. It helps us move beyond anecdotes and knee-jerk reactions and get at understanding what is actually happening.""
~Eric Hung, Westminster Choir College of Rider University
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