Klarinet Archive - Posting 000210.txt from 1998/01

From: "David S. Naden" <dnaden@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Vienna Phil.
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 1998 08:18:15 -0500

Matt--

You are correct: discrimination in any form is discrimination. Considering you
reference to apartheid in South Africa:

Apartheid is/was wrong. However, it ultimately was the population of South Africa
that forced change. That has been one of my points in my posts. Ultimately, it
will be up to orchestra members, the management or the public to address the
discrimination of women, and force change.

As you stated, discrimination in any culture or country is wrong. BUT by whose
standards? We as Americans tend to believe that we are always right and unless
things are done by our standards, it is wrong. We as Americans seldom consider
what is the norm in other countries or cultures. Anotherwards, when in Rome...

Is the Vienna Philharmonic racist, prejudiced and immoral? The answer to a large
degree depends whether you are part of that culture or not. We can disapprove,
debate, and argue this topic until we are blue in the face, but when a topic such
as this strays so far away from the primary purpose of this list--discussion of
clarinet and related musical topics--and becomes a heated debate on political and
moral correctness, then it is time to put it to bed.

David S. Naden, Graduate Student
Cal State University Los Angeles

JohnnyWalt wrote:

> There are so many opinions flying about here I have lost track of the facts!
> What are the facts? If the VPO is truly a racist, prejudiced and immoral
> orchestra, how does this affect us all? What are we to do about it, and will
> we have any affect on the situation?
> In response to those who say that Americans try to force our
> culturalistic ideals on Europe, and we should let the VPO exist as it wants
> to: Don't you think that his subject extends beyond the cultural differences
> of two continents? Discrimination in any culture, whether accepted or not, is
> WRONG. Just because those who support VPO may accept this "long and rich
> tradition", does that mean everyone else should accept it too? Apartheid in
> South Africa was also a tradition. Should we accept it for that reason also?
> If these "facts" about the VPO are true, this "long and rich tradition,"
> although supplying some of the greatest music in the world, is an undeniable
> moral wrong. I believe that tradition and heritage are not an excuse for
> bigotry or discrimination on any continent.
>
> Matt Walter