19: Educate yourselves

[samuraiprosecutor]

If the videos that inundated my 'friends page' are any indication, your collective musical education is lacking. I don't know how many of you will be able to appreciate this, but it is worth a try.

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

I think music is one thing I wouldn't be able to indulge in only half-heartedly. Regardless, I haven't the time to spare either way.

Mostly. Classical, Romantic, Baroque - orchestral and instrumental pieces. Though I have been known to indulge in an occasional score from a movie. There are a few film composers I'm rather fond of.

[attorneyatlol]

You should take the time to try. How would you know otherwise?

I like orchestral and instrumental pieces, too. Sometimes. I have to be in the mood for them, but I've been told I have a pretty eclectic taste in music.

What film composers do you like?

[samuraiprosecutor]

You are speaking from experience? You did say you play, I believe.

Eclectic? I might ask for examples, but that word makes me somewhat wary when applied to musical tastes.

Some of William's work is impressive, of course, and I enjoy most pieces by Ennio Morricone. But my favorite is probably Tôru Takemitsu.

[attorneyatlol]

...I can make noise come out of a piano, if that's what you're asking.

What? My tastes vary! There isn't anything wrong with that. It's mostly whatever I'm in the mood for, which has been jazz more often than not lately.

Huh. Truthfully, I don't know that much about composers. I might recognize some of their works if I heard them, but even with the music I listen to on a regular basis, I rarely pay attention to names. I'm curious, though: do you buy soundtracks based on the composer, or do you watch the movie and decide to purchase the soundtrack after the fact?

[samuraiprosecutor]

I suppose that could be called playing. If you're using a very...broad and literal definition. I suppose you will have to play for me sometime so I can judge.

Jazz? Do you have any recommendations?

With my favorite composers and a few others I generally buy the score for whatever movies they do, and any CDs of their other work that are released. Anyone else I usually buy after enjoying the music in the theater.

You don't recognize John Williams' name, at least? Hm. Morricone scored 'The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly' and 'Cinéma Paradiso,' among numerous others. Takemitsu scored 'Ran.'

[attorneyatlol]

Er. Play for you..?

Hang on, I'll have to get some of my CDs. Like I said, I don't really go by names...

John Williams kind of rings a bell. Can you name a movie he scored? I think I saw 'the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,' so I might be familiar with Morricone, but I'd have to hear some actual music to know for sure. I've never heard of 'Ran' before.

[samuraiprosecutor]

That would be a problem?

You might have seen a few of John William's films. Possibly 'Indiana Jones,' 'Jaws,' 'Star Wars'...



Familiar?

Ran is one of Akira Kurosawa's most famous films, and one of his last. It reimagines Shakespeare's 'King Lear' as a Japanese period drama, using the tale of a warlord who abdicates to his three children, two of which then plot his downfall. It's an amazing film, and the score is quite haunting.

[attorneyatlol]

Well, for starters, I don't have a piano...

I don't think I ever saw Jaws, but even I know the theme song. Funny you should mention Star Wars, though. It was just on the other night, but I wasn't really paying attention; I was pretty tired.

Indiana Jones... geez, I loved that movie when I was a kid. I should watch it again some time.

Yeah, I thought I'd seen that movie. It has a good score. A lot of westerns from that time period seem to.

A samurai movie. Why am I not surprised?

Was that an official preview? I might have to see the movie for myself, because that was kind of lacking, in my opinion. What was with all the still frames?

Hey, I found one of my CDs. The group is called Modern Jazz Quartet. Here's a sample, if you're really interested:

[samuraiprosecutor]

What a tragedy.

Hm. An interesting coicidence. It's actually been a long time since I saw Star Wars. Star Trek was always more appealing to me.

Yes, I remember. I'll certainly never be able to forget the theme song. I heard you humming it often enough to imprint it permanently on my mind.

A lot of the westerns from that period were scored by Morricone, so that should go without saying.

Hm. Point taken. Perhaps this trailer is a better example. Regardless of trailer quality, however, the movie itself is excellent. You should watch it.

That was more enjoyable than Franziska's recommendation, I must admit. I'll...look into that group.

[attorneyatlol]

It would be more tragic if I had one. Believe me.

Wow. Westerns and space movies? And here I thought the Steel Samurai was surprising.

Hey! You can't deny that it was an awesome theme song! I mean, you must appreciate it, seeing as it was written by one of your favorite composers, right?

That makes sense.

I agree, that's definitely a better trailer. Still don't know if I'd be interested in seeing it, though. I've never really been into that samurai stuff, but I might be willing to give it a try.

Oh, uh, okay. Let me know what you think then.

[samuraiprosecutor]

I'm not sure whether I should be intrigued or frightened.

Why should they be surprising? I enjoy entertainment, on occasion.

Indeed. It was one of his best, distinctive and quite stirring. Which doesn't mean I was pleased to hear you hum it multiple times a day for several weeks.

I should hope so. It would hardly pain you to broaden your horizons on occasion.

I will do so. If you...have any other recommendations I suppose you could share those as well.