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rowuk · 01-29-2008, 02:42 AM

Matthew,
a couple of things come to mind:

The motivation to go to a concert is secondary, unless we are feeding egos.

Great music and great performers are an inseparable entity. Trying to single a factor out is like comparing NASCAR, Indy, or Formula 1 - is it the driver or the car?

If a performer has the gift of being able to bring "difficult" music to the masses, then everybody wins - the composer, the player and the audience.

I prescribe to the opinion that not all of us need to play everything to have a given worth as a trumpet player. Bach put his Brandenburg#2 in high F on purpose. Performing it in "D" (or even an octave down) so that more players can "get through" is not what I feel was intended. There is enough quality repertory for all levels of playing. The same goes for me when a brass quintet feels the urge to perform live Bachs Toccata and Fugue in d-Minor. The musical lines are butchered to make them even playable. That is not satisfactory to me, and even renouned groups come up musically short with such attempts.

Does this reduce the "difficult" repertory only for the elite? No! It means that we can all study, practice or play whatever we want, BUT what enjoyment others derive from a given performance is based on the relationship to the performer, the music, the respect between the two AND the expectations of the audience. We know that our family and friends can be more tolerant during a performance than an anonymous music major with a sharp pencil regardless of the music being played. How many of us have read a review of a community concert where the critic trashed everything. We shake our heads and demand that "context" be maintained. True, the critic missed the point - IF the community group in fact gave their best. Many times an absolute critique will "wake up" those that have been getting away with 80% though.......

Yes, the elite has their place and it is a very important position indeed!

I could go on, but this is not a monologue!

01-29-2008, 02:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 4,367	Re: Does the music matter? Matthew, a couple of things come to mind: The motivation to go to a concert is secondary, unless we are feeding egos. Great music and great performers are an inseparable entity. Trying to single a factor out is like comparing NASCAR, Indy, or Formula 1 - is it the driver or the car? If a performer has the gift of being able to bring "difficult" music to the masses, then everybody wins - the composer, the player and the audience. I prescribe to the opinion that not all of us need to play everything to have a given worth as a trumpet player. Bach put his Brandenburg#2 in high F on purpose. Performing it in "D" (or even an octave down) so that more players can "get through" is not what I feel was intended. There is enough quality repertory for all levels of playing. The same goes for me when a brass quintet feels the urge to perform live Bachs Toccata and Fugue in d-Minor. The musical lines are butchered to make them even playable. That is not satisfactory to me, and even renouned groups come up musically short with such attempts. Does this reduce the "difficult" repertory only for the elite? No! It means that we can all study, practice or play whatever we want, BUT what enjoyment others derive from a given performance is based on the relationship to the performer, the music, the respect between the two AND the expectations of the audience. We know that our family and friends can be more tolerant during a performance than an anonymous music major with a sharp pencil regardless of the music being played. How many of us have read a review of a community concert where the critic trashed everything. We shake our heads and demand that "context" be maintained. True, the critic missed the point - IF the community group in fact gave their best. Many times an absolute critique will "wake up" those that have been getting away with 80% though....... Yes, the elite has their place and it is a very important position indeed! I could go on, but this is not a monologue! __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again. Last edited by rowuk; 01-29-2008 at 02:45 AM.