[Smt-talk] Music Plagiarism Cases

[David Feurzeig]

On Dec 18, 2009, at 4:35 PM, Julia Proleiko wrote:

> The opening theme of Memory from Cats resembles the opening theme  
> in the flute solo of California Dreaming by The Mamas & The Papas.  
> It has also been compared to Ravel's Bolero.

I am not a big ALW fan myself, nor does he need any champions, but  
this example is not striking. Such similarities are rife in tonal  
music. They're probably mostly unintentional, and even if  
intentional, short enough to be of dubious significance in terms of  
artistic integrity.

Besides (IMHO), the opening melody of "Memory," the "California  
Dreaming" flute solo, and the "Bolero" theme, are all really awful  
tunes! Composers should get points, not demerits, if they can make  
something of them. (I have a hunch Ravel would agree.)

David


David Feurzeig
University of Vermont
Music Department
392 South Prospect St
Burlington, VT 05405-0144
dfeurzei at uvm.edu
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