It is there

Question

"It is an old story that Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner were 'hard to hear' in their own time. Many people today, who can follow Rimsky-Korsakoff or Debussy as easily as Schumann, cannot hear music in Hindemith or Bartok; yet the more experienced probably know, by certain signs, that it is there."

Could you please explain what "it is there" means in the context?

Thank you.

Cadzao

Avangi · Accepted Answer

People cannot hear music in Hindemith or Bartok. When they listen to works by these masters, what they hear does not conform to their conception of music. That is, what they are hearing is not music, in their opinions. Therefore, there is no music in what they hear - only noise; sound.

But to others, with different tastes and experiences, there is music in those sounds. They know that it is there. (Your author admits this only very grudgingly: "probably know, by certain signs, that it is there.")

(Funny thing, Hindemith and Bartok were my favorites when I was a teenager - Bach, of course. But only in my old age have I developed a taste for Beethoven. Schumann is a crashing bore.)

Of course, back in the early 40's we all loved Harry James' trumpet version (on 78 rpm disk) of Rimsky-Korsakoff's "Flight Of The Bumblebee."

Cadzao · Answer

Thank you, Avangi, so much for explaining, and for the interesting thing about your favorite composers.

Cadzao

It is there

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