ecarroll

Robin,

You bring up another interesting point for discussion. How many of us go to performances to listen to the players and how many go to listen to the music?

Both, I'd argue, but in different contexts. I was much more interested in hearing the Zimmermann Concerto recently in Los Angeles than listening to Alison Balsom (before TM Nation jumps down my throat defending the lovely Alison, I think that she is a terrific trumpeter and we're now friends). The piece that she was playing is true and original art music -- worthy of complete attention. I might respond differently to a concert by the fabulous German Brass, focusing on the ensemble skills of Matthias & Co. rather to transcribed music by Bach et al.

When I was a kid growing up in Chicago I used to attend the Chicago Symphony regularly to listen to Bud. Later, after the addition of much musical mileage, I went to hear compositions, played by the Chicago Symphony, ably piloted by Bud (in that order).

Other points of view?

Best,
EC