Reviving the Practice of Using Elements of Popular Music in Classical GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question
Reviving the practice of using elements of popular music in classical composition, an approach that had been in hibernation in the United States during the 1960s, composer Philip Glass (born 1937) embraced the ethos of popular music in his compositions. Glass based two symphonies on music by rock musicians David Bowie and Brian Eno, but the symphonies’ sound is distinctively his. Popular elements do not appear out of place in Glass’s classical music, which from its early days has shared certain harmonies and rhythms with rock music. Yet this use of popular elements has not made Glass a composer of popular music. His music is not a version of popular music packaged to attract classical listeners; it is high art for listeners steeped in rock rather than the classics.

Solution and Explanation

1. The passage addresses which of the following issues related to Glass’s use of popular elements in his classical compositions?

1. How it is regarded by listeners who prefer rock to the classics
2. How it has affected the commercial success of Glass’s music
3. Whether it has contributed to a revival of interest among other composers in using popular elements in their compositions
4. Whether it has had a detrimental effect on Glass’s reputation as a composer of classical music
5. Whether it has caused certain of Glass’s works to be derivative in quality

Answer: E
Explanation: “Glass based two symphonies on music by rock musicians David Bowie and Brian Eno, but the symphonies’ sound is distinctively his.”
If we fully comprehend what the option actually says, then option E is an obvious choice. Whether his music was derivative in quality would refer to where it came from. Check out the second line. Glass has based two symphonies on works by rock musicians Brian Eno and David Bowie, but the symphonies have a distinctly Glass sound. The music cannot be referred to as derivative if the sound of the symphonies is distinctly his. Even though this is difficult to spot, it is not very difficult to rule out the other options. This is because they all in some way refer to listeners while the passage makes no mention of them. The passage says nothing about listeners or how they experience music of any kind.

2. The passage suggests that Glass’s work displays which of the following qualities?

1. A return to the use of popular music in classical compositions
2. An attempt to elevate rock music to an artistic status more closely approximating that of classical music
3. A long-standing tendency to incorporate elements from two apparently disparate musical styles

1. I only
2. III only
3. I and II only
4. I and III only
5. II and III only

Answer: D
Explanation: Reviving the practice of using elements of popular music in classical composition (I). Popular elements do not seem out of place in Glass’s classical music, which from its early days has shared certain harmonies and rhythms with rock music (III).
(I) The first sentence of the paragraph, "Reviving the practice of using elements of popular music in classical composition," must be true. (III) This is also true because Glass' compositions were blended with elements of rock music. So D must be accurate.

“Reviving the practice of using elements of popular music in classical”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 2 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

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