Opinions on Jay Greenberg?

Jay Greenberg: News, Reviews & Features - IMGArtists.com

I bought his premiere CD a couple of years ago and just happened to listen to it today. I think it shows quite a deal of talent and a good feel for orchestration and melody, but I found it somewhat lacking in organizational coherence, something he can obviously work on as he develops. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on Greenberg's music.

Also interesting is how he's been branded by the media as the next "Mozart". I think it's kind of taking advantage of this young musician's talent to call him a genious. Is this simply a marketing ploy or do some people feel they can really say Greenberg is a "genious" without having heard what he does as a mature composer? For that matter, what is a genious anyway? I guess it's not really quantifiable, but I'd like to know what people have to say about that.

I read in a blog post shown below the idea that a kid with great talent and a bit of luck, i.e. Greenberg, may have an easier time getting orchestras to perform his works than more established, mature composers. What are your thoughts on this?

listen.: Some Thoughts on Jay Greenberg

I remember reading about him years ago when he debuted but I never really heard anything from him. Would you be kind enough to rip a sample of his works and PM me it? =)

To me, he's very "meh". Sure there's some talent, but it sounds like watered down Shostakovich to me. And yes, it is lacking in coherence, even if his orhestration is quite nice.

He is definitely not the next Mozart. (And I'm not saying this jut because I'm only 15 myself! I think he was ...14 when he wrote this symphony 5?) I have seen more talented composers his age; on this forum to boot. No doubt he's got talent; but for sure nothing on a Mozartian scale.

Well I think it is a little unfair to be offended that his music is a little similiar to shostakovich if not "watered down". He is still developing as a composer and you can hear other influences too. When composers start out they almost never begin with a unique voice right away, even the great ones. It seems as if most of what he does is all by ear, which would explain why alot of it may sound derivative. But I still think he shows great promise. Any other thoughts?

Just had an idea, he should probabally focus on small forms before he continues writing "symphonies", because he may end up with a bunch of big mediocre pieces rather than small but well-written works. I suppose that's up to his teacher though.

Don't get me started on Jay Greenburg.

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As for his music, its rather lackluster. I heard his music he wrote as a 10-year old (om From the Top), and it sounded like it was written by a 10-year old. Notice that once you're in the news, your music is unsubstantially glorified to the point of nausia? This happened with George Frankel [removed] who got his very crappy piece played at the NY Phil (on the same concert mine was premiered on a year later)[removed]

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Personally I think Nico is a better composer for his age than Greenberg. No kidding.

If you show me the next Boulez at age 10... then I'll be impressed. Otherwise, I'll continue to hold my opinion that Greenberg is a celebrity whose music is simply watered down Shostakovich

I am astonished at what he can do technically. He is one of those people that can write the whole work from start to finish in order, in pen, never making a change, fully orchestrated in a day or two without need of a reference instrument. That is astonishing. BUT musically speaking, sooner or later he has to produce some substance in his music. Who cares how easy it is for you to create if what you are creating is lackluster? To date, I've not heard anything that substantial from him, but he is FAR more substantial than I was at that same period in my life or anyone I know at his age - so let’s see what he's like 10 and 20 years from now. I am also not bothered that his current fame is a product of the considerable marketing skills of Sony. His age IS the reason he is famous right now and that is a big deal. I see nothing unfair about that but sooner or later, the gimmick wears off and substance must be present otherwise he'll be forgotten. My prediction is he'll give up on music and put his energies onto other endeavors.

There's a lot of mature aged composers whose music doesn't even sound mature...

But yes, I agree that most mature works are normally written by older composers. Even people like Mozart or Beethoven.

Extremely gifted composer and musician who works hard for what he has... right now is probably writing another major piece for top talent in the classical music world, as opposed to reading an internet message board.

Extremely gifted composer and musician who works hard for what he has... right now is probably writing another major piece for top talent in the classical music world, as opposed to reading an internet message board.

I'm sure he doesn't give a scraggy about what people on an internet message board have to say about him, but that is a really terrible argument.

I'm afraid this discussion has deteriorated into ridiculousness, thanks everbody who participated respectully and constructively, I do think though that Mr. Greenberg is worth talking about, wether it's on an Internet forum or in real life. It appears he Is going to have a strong voice in the future no matter what he ends up doing.

I'm sure he doesn't give a scraggy about what people on an internet message board have to say about him, but that is a really terrible argument.

No argument there. Not sure where you gleaned that from.

Well, you probably are talking out of your donkey, but either way, I like to give the benefit of the doubt.