Hey Trent and Zony,
Zony...I think we can have both...I just think that people focus too much on the past and not enough on the present, and even less on the future. If we could strike sort 1/3 past, 1/3 present, 1/3 future balance, I think music of all periods would be safe in terms of economics and musical vision. I think that many people right now have a sort of attitude that new music must "prove" itself to be "worthy" of serious consideration alongside the classics, which in my view is a faulty attitude. But that's another huge conversation...essentially, I agree with you.
Trent...yeah, man, let's totally trade discs. I've seens some of your posts on the site and your project interests me. I too have gravitated away from classical music for the same reason...I want to have my own "musical say," as you put it, so now I do much more improvisation and composing, because, as Zony put it, it's like Beethoven playing Beethoven (not that I'm anywhere near the genius level of Beethoven, but you get the point). It's a little scary for me being back at the beginning of a new musical path, but it's exciting as well, and it's heartening to know that there are others sharing my experience. Anyway, let's keep in touch and I'd love to hear more about your project.
Dan Rosenboom
www.danielrosenboom.com www.plotzmusic.com www.myspace.com/thebloodiermeanson