Bernstein's SECRET to INSTANT SUCCESS on Stage: Best Music Lesson Ever!

AuthenticSound

15 May 202421:45

TLDRIn this enlightening music lesson, the focus is on the unconventional approach to playing classical music slower than modern standards to achieve an authentic sound. The speaker argues that 19th-century musicians, including Beethoven and Chopin, used metronomes differently, correlating note values with each other click rather than each click. This method allows for breath control and a richer listening experience. The video also shares insights from Leonard Bernstein, who played Wagner's Tristan slower, leading to a profound audience reaction. The summary encourages embracing this bold paradigm shift in music performance.

Takeaways

🎵 The video discusses the practice of playing music slower than usual, suggesting that composers from the 19th century used metronomes differently than today.
🕰️ The concept of 'whole beat metronome practice' is introduced, positing that it provides an authentic tempo for classical music from the 19th century.
👨‍🏫 There is a hesitance from the established musical community to adopt this slower, 'whole beat' approach to playing classical music.
🎼 Bernstein's experience with conducting Wagner's 'Tristan' slower than usual is highlighted, showing a departure from the trends of his time.
👂 Bernstein emphasizes the importance of allowing music to breathe by not rushing through pieces, which can lead to a more engaged audience.
📚 The upcoming book on this topic promises to provide extensive historical evidence and sources to support the 'whole beat' theory.
🔍 Bernstein's approach to Wagner is contrasted with his approach to Mahler, showing that even he could be influenced by audience expectations.
🎶 The video suggests that playing music slower can lead to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the composer's original intentions.
👀 There's a call to courage for musicians to adopt this slower style, regardless of audience expectations, for a potentially transformative musical experience.
📦 An upcoming release of the Ninth Symphony recording in the 'whole beat' style is teased, with a promise of a special event for its launch.
🌟 The video concludes by encouraging viewers to explore the 'whole beat' recordings and to be open to a new way of experiencing classical music.

Q & A

Why does the speaker believe that music from the 19th century was played slower than today's standard?
-The speaker believes that in the 19th century, composers and musicians used the metronome differently, correlating the note value with each other tick rather than each click, leading to slower tempos.
What is the 'whole beat metronome practice' mentioned in the script?
-The 'whole beat metronome practice' refers to the idea that in the past, musicians used the metronome to mark the duration between beats rather than the beats themselves, which results in slower tempos.
How does the speaker address the concern that slower music might bore the audience?
-The speaker counters this concern by sharing that the singers involved in their recording appreciated the slower tempo, as it allowed them to breathe more comfortably and perform better.
What is the significance of the book the speaker is working on?
-The book is significant as it aims to provide a comprehensive look at 500 years of music history from a new perspective, challenging the conventional understanding of tempo and metronome use.
Can you explain the anecdote about Bernstein and Carl Böhm during the rehearsal of Tristan?
-The anecdote describes a moment when Carl Böhm, after listening to Bernstein's slower rendition of Tristan, expressed that for the first time, he truly felt he was hearing the piece as it was meant to be heard.
What does Bernstein suggest is the reason for conductors not playing Wagner as the composer intended?
-Bernstein suggests that conductors avoid playing Wagner as written because they fear boring the audience. They speed up the tempo to keep the music moving, which Bernstein argues is counterproductive and actually leads to a less engaging performance.
Why does Bernstein believe that speeding up music can lead to a less satisfying experience for the audience?
-Bernstein argues that speeding up music prevents the performers from highlighting the beauty and details within the music, which can leave the audience feeling bored due to the lack of depth and engagement.
What is the 'paradigm shift' referred to in the script?
-The 'paradigm shift' refers to the change in perspective regarding the tempo and interpretation of classical music, suggesting that playing it slower and more authentically can lead to a more profound and enjoyable experience for both performers and audiences.
How does the speaker use Bernstein's experiences with Wagner to draw parallels with their own approach to music?
-The speaker uses Bernstein's unconventional approach to Wagner to illustrate the potential benefits of deviating from modern trends and embracing a slower, more authentic interpretation of music.
What is the significance of the eight beats rest in the script, and how does Bernstein use it to engage the audience?
-The eight beats rest is significant as it represents a deliberate pause in the music that challenges audience expectations. Bernstein uses this pause to create tension and anticipation, ultimately leading to a more profound emotional response when the music resumes.
How does the speaker contrast Bernstein's approach to music with the prevailing trends of his time?
-The speaker contrasts Bernstein's approach by highlighting his willingness to challenge the status quo and traditional interpretations, suggesting that his unique perspective allowed for a more authentic and engaging performance.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 The Authenticity of Slow Tempo in Classical Music

The speaker introduces the concept of playing classical music slower than the modern standard, suggesting that this approach is more authentic to the time of composers like Beethoven and Chopin. They argue that the metronome was used differently in the 19th century, with musicians aligning note values with each other click rather than each click of the metronome. This method, referred to as 'whole beat metronome practice,' is claimed to provide a more genuine interpretation of the music from that era. Despite potential criticism and concerns about audience engagement or performer breath control, the speaker defends the slower tempo as beneficial for breathing and artistic expression. The discussion also mentions a forthcoming book that will delve into this practice with historical evidence dating back to the 15th century.

05:02

🎼 Bernstein's Unconventional Approach to Wagner

This paragraph delves into the renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein's unique interpretation of Wagner's music, specifically the prelude to 'Tristan'. Bernstein played it slower than usual, which was met with skepticism from his sound manager but was validated by the esteemed conductor Carl Böhm. Böhm expressed that he was finally hearing 'Tristan' as it was meant to be heard, indicating a profound connection with the slower tempo. Bernstein reflects on the fear among European conductors to play Wagner as he intended, due to concerns of boring the audience. He criticizes this approach, suggesting that it is the very act of speeding through the music that leads to a lack of clarity and audience disengagement.

10:03

🎶 The Impact of Tempo on Audience Perception

Bernstein further discusses the impact of tempo on the audience's experience, using the example of an eight-beat rest in Wagner's music that he believes is often rushed. He describes his own practice of observing these rests fully, leading to initial audience confusion and eventual appreciation. The speaker draws parallels between Bernstein's insights and the effects of playing in 'whole beat', suggesting that mastering this language of slower tempos can lead to a more profound listening experience. The paragraph also touches on the challenge faced by wind players in sustaining notes for extended periods, exemplified by a 25-second long Tristan chord in a performance by Bernstein.

15:04

🎵 Bernstein's Contradiction: Emphasis on Tempo vs. Word Pronunciation

The narrative shifts to highlight a contradiction in Bernstein's approach, where despite advocating for slower tempos to allow for musical expression, he dismisses the need for clear word pronunciation in Mahler's 'Lied von der Erde' when conducted at a slower pace. Mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig's concern about the slower tempo affecting her ability to articulate the text is met with Bernstein's indifference, suggesting that the audience wouldn't understand the words anyway. This incident is used to illustrate the complexities and potential inconsistencies in even the greatest musicians' approaches to performance and authenticity.

20:05

🎤 Courage in Performance: Embracing Slow Tempos

In the final paragraph, the speaker encourages performers to have the courage to embrace slower tempos, even when it goes against audience expectations. They share an anecdote about a piano teacher's hesitation to play at a slower tempo on stage, despite the potential for a more profound impact. The speaker asserts that when performed with understanding and disregard for audience reaction, slower tempos can captivate listeners. They also mention an upcoming special event related to the release of their '9th Symphony' recordings, inviting viewers to stay tuned for more information.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein was an American conductor, composer, musician, author, music lecturer, and pianist who gave a significant impact on the world of classical music. In the video, Bernstein's approach to conducting Wagner's 'Tristan' at a slower tempo than usual is discussed. His experience and views on music performance provide a central theme for the video, challenging traditional tempos and advocating for a return to what he perceived as a more authentic interpretation of the music.

💡Metronome

A metronome is a device that produces a steady beat, used by musicians to keep time. In the context of the video, it is suggested that 19th-century composers and musicians used metronomes differently than we do today. The video argues for a 'whole beat metronome practice,' where the note value is correlated with each other click of the metronome rather than each click, which is a bold claim that affects the tempo and interpretation of classical music.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity in a musical context refers to the faithfulness to the original intentions or style of the composer. The video discusses Bernstein's slower tempo as an example of authenticity, suggesting that playing music slower can bring out details and emotions that might be lost at faster, more modern tempos. Authenticity is a key concept in the video, as it relates to the debate over how classical music should be performed.

💡Tempo

Tempo refers to the speed or pace at which music is played. The video script emphasizes the importance of tempo in musical performance, particularly in relation to the slower tempos that the speaker believes were used in the 19th century. It contrasts the common practice of speeding up music to keep the audience engaged with the idea of slowing down to allow for a deeper appreciation of the music's details.

💡Whole beat

The term 'whole beat' in the video refers to a specific practice of interpreting metronome markings, where the beat is correlated with each other click of the metronome rather than each click. This practice is presented as a way to achieve a more authentic performance of classical music, aligning with the slower tempos that were potentially used in the past.

💡Paradigm shift

A paradigm shift denotes a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions. In the video, the concept of playing music at slower tempos based on the 'whole beat metronome practice' is described as a paradigm shift in the way we understand and perform classical music. It challenges the established norms and invites a reevaluation of traditional performance practices.

💡Breathing

In the context of music performance, 'breathing' refers to the ability of singers and wind instrument players to take in air and control their breath to produce sound. The video mentions that slower tempos provide more opportunities for these performers to breathe, suggesting that it can improve the quality of their performance and prevent them from 'suffocating' during long notes.

💡Tradition

Tradition in this video refers to the established customs and practices in music performance. It contrasts with the 'paradigm shift' proposed by the speaker, who argues that the traditional way of playing music faster may not be as engaging for the audience. The video challenges the audience to reconsider what has been traditionally accepted in classical music performance.

💡Wagner

Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, and conductor, known for his operas. In the video, Bernstein's interpretation of Wagner's 'Tristan' serves as a key example of his approach to music performance. The slower tempo he chose for the prelude to 'Tristan' is highlighted as a departure from the norm, illustrating the video's theme of reevaluating traditional tempos for a more authentic musical experience.

💡Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist, one of the most admired musicians in the history of Western classical music. The video script mentions Beethoven in the context of the debate over tempo and authenticity in classical music performance. It suggests that the faster tempos commonly used today may not reflect the original intentions of composers like Beethoven and could detract from the audience's experience.

💡Performance

Performance in this video refers to the act of playing or conducting music, particularly in a public setting such as a concert. The script discusses various aspects of musical performance, including the importance of tempo, the potential for authenticity, and the impact on the audience. It emphasizes the need for courage and conviction in a performer to challenge traditional norms and deliver a more engaging and authentic musical experience.

Highlights

The channel plays music slower than usual, suggesting a different historical use of the metronome.

Composers and musicians in the 19th century may have used the metronome differently than today.

The whole beat metronome practice is presented as an authentic way to approach music from the past.

Slowing down music allows singers and wind players more time to breathe.

There is hesitance from the established music circles to adopt this new perspective.

Leonhard Bernstein shared a unique experience with Wagner's Tristan, playing it slower than usual.

Bernstein received praise from Carl Böhm for his slower interpretation of Tristan.

European conductors are accused of not playing Wagner as he intended due to audience fears.

Bernstein criticizes the trend of speeding up music to avoid boring the audience, arguing it has the opposite effect.

Slowing down music allows for the highlighting of beauty and details that speed skips.

19th-century musicians also warned against speeding up music, advocating for the composer's intentions.

Bernstein discusses the impact of long pauses on the audience, creating a different listening experience.

A story twist where Bernstein, despite his advocacy for slower tempos, speeds up a Mahler piece against a singer's wishes.

The importance of courage in performing music true to the composer's intentions, regardless of audience expectations.

An upcoming special event for the release of the 9th Symphony recordings in physical boxes.

The video concludes with an invitation to stay tuned for a special announcement related to the symphony release.

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