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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000074.txt from 2006/10
From: "Ed B. Flowers" <flowerse@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Re: QOD...Surviving the Critical Review
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 18:44:45 -0400
Phil,
As a serious amateur (clarinet, flute, oboe--over my 66 years) to a
professional (yourself), perhaps you'd like to comment on some of my
experiences:
I went to a very good concert which presented unrecorded, or
infrequently recorded Mozart pieces on the piano--I thought the concert
was gorgeous and perfect. I gradually came to realize that this
impression was at least partly because I had never heard the pieces
before. Does unfamiliarity breed delight?
I've often felt compelled to make some kind of comment after a concert
to prove, I think, that I was paying attention. About half the time the
comments were at least mildly critical, and probably stupid. Does
everyone do this now and then? Is this what some critics do? If they
really don't form a strong opinion, how should they explain that?
I find that I'm one of the very few people who really enjoys listening
to a full concert of pieces played by amateurs. The variety of things
I've heard in these concerts is astounding. It doesn't bother me that
there are various degrees of struggling going on. Some of the amateur
presentations, though often brief, are surprisingly good, simply because
of the amateur's enthusiasm and effort. Why aren't more
people--amateurs, etc.--interested in amateur performances?
I started playing again in middle age just because I thought that I
should be using my childhood education in music--grammar school and high
school. I had a number of truly excellent music teachers. I gradually
realized that music was one of the strangest and most rewarding things
in my life. This realization occurred while I played for over ten years
an a high-quality New York chamber music program. The beginners in this
program were horrible to each other and thought that they were child
musical geniuses. The more experienced players were more humble, and had
realized that almost none of them would ever play as well as their
klutziest coach. Many of the coaches, I think, were touched by musical
genius, yet most of them also knew how to be critical and encouraging at
the same time--what a skill!
Edward B. Flowers (ob)
New York City
philfrei@-----.com wrote:
> This is your strategy for "survival": counter-attack?
>
> Sniping at a critic's degree in Forestry, or lack of Music degree,
> seems like a dubious strategy, to me. Doesn't that imply that the
> proper appreciation of your performances requires a Doctorate? If so,
> you're going to have to do a lot of "educating" to build any sort of
> following, as most of us don't have Ph.D.'s in Music History.
>
> Fortunately, the critic as voiced a willingness to put himself in a
> position, via the interview, to learn more about what your group is
> doing and to pass the word on to his review-reading public. Will this
> opportunity remain if the fellow finds out he is being disrespected
> behind his back, or if he confronts condescension in the interview?
>
> Phil Freihofner
>
>
>> Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 19:22:12 EDT
>> To: doublereed@-----.org
>> From: Oboeeee@-----.com
>> Subject: Re: [DR-L] QOD...Surviving the Critical Review
>>
>> Dear Herb and All,
>>
>> The critical plot thickens. Our "critic" is writing a book on the
>
> works of=
>
>> =20
>> H=E4ndel vs the literature of French baroque composer, Jean-Philippe
>
> Rameau=
>
>> =20
>> (1683-1764). As many of you may know, John Hsu is a renowned
>
> authority on=20
>
>> French baroque scholarship and performance. John's discreet comment
>
> on the=
>
>> =20
>> "private interview" with critic Pierre was..."he knows almost enough
>
> to ask=
>
>> a =20
>> question."
>>
>> John Hsu is a refined gentleman. He will maintain his "cool." Stay
>
> tuned=20
>
>> for an update on ABO reviews as they unfold in "Breaking News"!
>
> AND...I kn=
>
>> ow=20
>> you will all line up at your local bookstore for Pierre's new
>
> publication=20
>
>> most likely titled, "The Music of H=E4ndel and Rameau-Notes from the
>
> Forest=
>
>> =20
>> Through the Trees." ;-)
>>
>> Warm Regards,
>> Janie
>> Developing a thicker skin
>
>
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>
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