Basic HTML Version
You Call That
Why do musical tostes differ so widely? And why,
with today's variety in music, do so many
en
joy
only
one
kind? Read what music is to others. Then
take another look at what it is to
you.
by
Eugene M. Walter
As
OUR
plane left Kuala Lumpur,
J-\..
Malaysia for Hong Kong,
my eye fell on the in-fiight
music console. 1 plugged in the ear–
phones and was pleasantly surprised
to hear the familiar sou nds of
American popular music. The pro–
gram listed Peggy Lee, Percy Faith
with his orchestra and chorus, the
Lettermen, and a dozen or more
other popular selections. After trav–
eling in Asia for nearly a month
without hearing any European or
American music, it was like meeting
old friends.
Delighted, 1 turned the channel
selector and ... another surprise!
There was the Beethoven
Lenore
Overture being played by the Berlín
Philharmonic.
Again
1
turned the dial; this time
the sounds were excitingly strange
and dilferent. For this channel, the
printed program listed Chinese pop–
ular music known as "Mandarín
Popular." Though this music was
aJien to
my
ears, the well-dressed
Chinese gentleman across the aisle
was obviously feeling right at home
with his listening, thoroughly enjoy–
ing every minute of it.
Another switch of the channel
brought the exotic sounds of Japan.
Beside me, a Japanese businessman
was listening to the music on this
channel while he worked on sorne
business papers.
Don lorlon
-
Ploin Truth
Looking around, my attention
was drawn toa young Orientallean–
ing back in his seat, eyes closed,
with a rapturous look on his face,
tapping his foot and ftngers. To
what was be listening? The Malay–
sian music known as "Malay Kron–
chong" on channel five? I was
unable to contain my curiosity and
got up to peek at his cbannel num–
ber. No, he was listening to channel
eight - featuring modern American
jazz by Stan Kenton, Wes Mont–
gomery, Clark Terry and other jazz–
men!
As 1 settled back into my seat, I
began to muse about what music is.
what it means to di1ferent people
and why. 1 began to think about the
ways we alJ, at times, limit our own
enjoyment of one of man's greatest
sources ofpleasure - good music.
What Music ls to Different
People
Most everyone enjoys sorne kind
of music. But by no means do we alJ
enjoy the same kind. Music is many
things to many people.
The most widespread system of
music
in
tbe world today is that of
Western culture. lt is divided not
only into the broad categories of
"classical" and "popular," but also
into many types and subtypes.
There are the many varieties of
rock and popular music. There is
PLAIN TRUTH Moy 1973