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Soundcheck / June 27, 2007 / The Surprise Ending in Music

The Surprise Ending in Music

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Before HBO's "Sopranos" stunned viewers, composers were startling music fans: Haydn's "Farewell" Symphony, which ends with a fade-out, was the ultimate in non-endings. 20th Century composers refused to tie up their music with a bow. Washington Post cultural critic Philip Kennicott joins us to talk about cases when composers and songwriters avoid the Hollywood ending.

The Surprise Ending? It's the Absence of One - By Philip Kennicott


Comments

  • [1] Jeffrey Slott from Queens, NY June 27, 2007 - 02:26PM

    A fade-out in pop music is definitely not copping out. It implies that the sentiment being expressed goes on and on, which is very much like one experiences in real life.

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