Biography
There are lots of names in music to denote genre, style, and sub-styles. Making things even more complex, some terms have several applications. For example, the term Classical Music has a strict and liberal meaning. It may be used to denote music written between 1750 and 1810, or more liberally, any music written for orchestra, regardless of date and style. Similarly, the term Classical Rock (as opposed to classic rock) has a broad application. It covers classical music arranged for rock band, and rock music arranged for classical ensemble. This arranged, or transcribed Classical Rock produces eminently listenable music but is restricted to converting one school of music into the other. Some rock bands have produced original classical rock by making recourse to parody and classical signatures. Yet, it remains rock music. It does not seriously qualify as the music it emulates. It has to be said, however, that none of this is a detraction of musical merit. After all, as far as the listener is concerned, it is the music that validates the appellation, not the other way around.
Despite the diverse nature of the above, I believe my work can be distinguished from other music under the broad umbrella of Classical Rock, and perhaps also justify ascribing it a unique name. Underlining the diversity of classical and rock music is the fact that neither discipline writes original composition for the other. This is not the nonsensical statement it may first appear to be. I write rock music which is by the measures of 17th and 18th century composition, as melodically, harmonically and structurally sophisticated as the symphony or concerto of that time. Moreover, some of my compositions use structures typical to these eras. In short, my work is original and serious classical music, while also being original and serious rock music. While the structure of some of my compositions are baroque or classical, these terms alone do not differentiate my work. The term Baroque originally had a figurative application in music, being borrowed from archetecture where it once described the ornate, and even the macabre. In this sense, it might seem somewhat tautological to describe rock as baroque. On the other hand, my use of classicism with heavy metal guitar ensemble might be described as musically macabre. The term gothic is useful here as it can take a similar figurative application and doesn''t come with a musical history. Gothic Classicism, as a description and appellation, I think, would not be entirely wrong. Or should be Classical Goth?
? Franco Carrieri 2000
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