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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Rest Is Noise summary
Alex Ross
Listening to the Twentieth Century
34 mins
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The Rest Is Noise by Alex Ross explores the history of 20th-century music, from the rise of Strauss to the birth of rock 'n' roll. It examines the political, social, and cultural factors that contributed to the development of various musical styles and movements.
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The Rest Is Noise
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Under the long shadow of Wagner, modern classical music took a bold step forward with the work of Richard Strauss.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, music lovers across Europe were still under the spell of Richard Wagner. By 1900, the composer had been dead for over 15 years, but his operas had been so lavish and grandiose that they’d become the height of entertainment.
In Bayreuth, Germany, when Wagner debuted his four-part opera series known as the Ring cycle in 1876, royalty and the upper crust of culture from around Europe attended, including other composers such as Tchaikovsky and Franz Liszt. The event was such a remarkable occasion that the New York Times ran stories on it for days. Wagner was essentially the blockbuster producer of his day.
The next generation of composers, who were hitting their stride at the start of the new century, had grown up under Wagner’s considerable influence. This included giants of Austro-German music such as Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss.
Strauss can be seen as a leading voice in shaping the music that was to come in the wake of Wagner’s grandiose and opulent work. Strauss’s 1896 work, Thus Spake Zarathustra, essentially announces a new dawn arriving, the music rising and shimmering as it uses the natural harmonic series. Trumpets play C, G, and then a higher C; the intervals between the notes conform to natural ratios on the frequency spectrum and so sound pleasing to the ears. If you’ve seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, you’ll immediately recognize these “rising” notes; during the opening scene of the film, they’re memorably used to herald a new beginning for mankind.
On May 16, 1906, Strauss’s new operatic work Salome was performed in Graz, Austria, and it heralded a new direction. Like Zarathustra, Salome grabs the listener from the very beginning, but this time the choice of notes and progressions is used to an entirely different end. Within the first few seconds, the listener is subjected to a scale that starts off in C-sharp major, but quickly changes to G-major – a completely unrelated key, causing immediate dissonance. What’s more, this quick switch involves the interval of a tritone, which is also known among music scholars as diabolus in musica, or “the devil in music.”
Human ears don’t respond well to the tritone, since it juxtaposes two very different harmonic spheres. Because of Strauss’s liberal use of such dissonances – musical devices which go against traditional musical harmony – Salome was received with shock that was either of excitement or disgust, depending on the individual.
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What is The Rest Is Noise about?
The Rest Is Noise (2011) takes you on a musical journey through the twentieth century, from the game-changing work of Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky to the minimalist compositions of John Cale and Philip Glass. Author Alex Ross puts modern classical music into eye-opening perspective, chronicling the revolutionary changes and how they were influenced by the tumultuous events of the 1900s.
The Rest Is Noise Review
The Rest Is Noise (2008) by Alex Ross takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the history of 20th-century music. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With extensive research and interviews, Ross paints a vivid picture of the social, political, and cultural context in which music evolved, offering valuable insights into its transformative power.
- The book explores not only classical music but also popular and experimental genres, showcasing the diversity and innovation that defined the century.
- Through Ross's engaging storytelling, readers develop a deep appreciation for the role of music in shaping our world, ensuring that the book is anything but dull.
Who should read The Rest Is Noise?
- Music buffs and fans of classical music
- Anyone interested in the history of the twentieth century
- Scholars of contemporary art
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The Rest Is Noise FAQs
What is the main message of The Rest Is Noise?
The main message of The Rest Is Noise is an exploration of 20th-century music and its impact on society and culture.
How long does it take to read The Rest Is Noise?
The reading time for The Rest Is Noise varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Rest Is Noise a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Rest Is Noise is a fascinating read that offers a unique perspective on the history of music. It's definitely worth exploring for music enthusiasts and those curious about cultural evolution.
Who is the author of The Rest Is Noise?
The author of The Rest Is Noise is Alex Ross.
What to read after The Rest Is Noise?
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