How do they know?

[Preston]

I like this thread. I have had trouble with the extreme speeds when regarding a very large portion of classical. It is as it is so fast it cannot be felt, endured, enjoyed, etc. A lot of the classical era is very fast indeed, while the baroque is blazing.

I have been thinking about the tempi for years - and want to eventually try to render a classical piece on a computer at a much slower tempo. The trick is getting the feel of the piece - which is why I have not had any successful attempts...

The reason is because when talking about music we are talking about feelings, and that is a most precise thing.

I listen to a fair portion of new age/world music and find great enjoyment because the tempi are much slower and one can really enjoy the feelings much better that way.

[Enrique]

I have been thinking about the tempi for years - and want to eventually try to render a classical piece on a computer at a much slower tempo. The trick is getting the feel of the piece - which is why I have not had any successful attempts...

That idea of yours about the computer is great. I have done it sometimes, but will now do it systematically for certain kind of music, especially barroque.