[atlantaprog] Re: prog

I also seem to recall that some of the constraints placed on earlier composers, particularly during the baroque/classical periods, were imposed by the church. Some sounds -- such as the tritone/augmented 4th -- were harsher on the ear and even thought to be 'evil' in some way.

The "*diabolus in musica*. You'll notice that the dominant-7th chord has one in it, at least in open voicings, so that's pretty far in the past.

Therefore, the compositional limitations. After all, composers such as Bach and Handel earned their keep primarily as church musicians -- and no doubt wanted to keep their jobs. I agree that it sometimes takes more talent and imagination to work within limiting constraints, rather than being given free reign.

That's not necessarily an argument for keeping those constraints, though! The best thing to do is to set up your own "constraints"--building the frame of the compositional house, as it were.

Bach apparently got into a bit of trouble once or twice for being a bit too outside (I've read a bit of a letter of reprimand somewhere), but that's about it, I think. More importantly, we have to understand that none of these people would've somehow turned into Igor Stravinsky if they'd just been given complete freedom. Remember, Beethoven *had* complete freedom, and (for the greater part) so did Mozart, as well as the more notable Romantics.



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