So now I'll tell you a little bit
about the Waltz that's coming now because it starts in quite a strange
way and I don't want you to get a shock! When I moved to Vienna, one of the first things
that struck me was the sound of the police sirens there. They sound very different from the
Wailing Sirens like here in America. They go: if you want a closer imitation: And when I heard this Viennese Siren I tried in my
mind to continue it as a melody. And since Vienna is the city of waltzes, I thought I should turn
it into a Waltz melody! I've always wanted
to write beautiful music. Music that comes out of the heart
and speaks directly to the heart. But some people have told me that nowadays melodies and beautiful harmonies are
no longer acceptable in serious classical music... because in the 21st century, music must reflect
the ugliness of the modern world. Well, in this Waltz, instead of
trying to make my music artificially ugly, in order to reflect the modern world, I went in exactly the
opposite direction! I took some ugly sounds from
the modern world and I tried to turn them into something
more beautiful, through music. The introduction starts off with the sounds of a
noisy street. You'll hear the Austrian police sirens but also the wailing sirens like in America, and
cars hooting. So really a complete cacophony. But then, after a short while, the noise of the street
dies down and the imagination takes over. And in the imagination, I take these ugly police sirens
and try to turn them into something more beautiful, perhaps more in the direction of
the sirens in the Odyssey. And then after this long introduction the Waltz itself starts, which is actually a chain
of four different waltzes. And the fourth Waltz is the one which is based
on the Austrian police sirens. So anyway, don't be scared by the beginning! Free streaming of Alma's opera Cinderella,
conducted by Alma. From July 22, 2023 Link to trailer in the text below.
To me, the most interesting part was the introduction. But the waltzes still put a smile on my face.
Obviously she is an extremely talented musician, with a very bright mind. It's a shame she has so many people encouraging her pretentious views. In her quest to be rid of the 'pretentiousness' of contemporary classical music, she has succeeded in becoming the very thing she attacks. 95% of living composers I know do not hold any views similar to what she explains as commonplace, and her condescension betrays her talent in showing that she is very much still, a young and immature, albeit exceptionally gifted musician. Music is not a battle, or a dichotomy, and is becoming especially pluralistic in the 21st century... but hey, the tried and true method of us versus the 'other' seems to be working again, as it has for the entirety of humanity.
This was very good, I was surprised I really enjoyed it. Good work Alma!
I really enjoyed that; the first transition was magical -- brought a tear to my eye.
Look, I don't want to be too biased here...
But good God. Leave the poor girl alone.
I can't help but think that the desire to attack her is formed out of the threat of a young girl surpassing them at something that they wish they were good at...or at least think they know everything about. Her music is wholesome; she is mainly referring to the critics, not the general taste at large.
Then again, how much should any of us listen to music critics anyways? A load of them are full of shit anyways.
I like that she tried to B natural.
I think this is an excellent piece of music; very strongly melodic and beautifully orchestrated. I hope she continues to write such rich and rewarding pieces of music.
I'm more impressed by her orchestration than content. Then again I don't imagine string players like glissandos that much...
Cheesiness, and cheesisity made flesh.
Sounds like a second rate Elgar, but obviously great for a young child. Hope she spices it up as she goes older