Klarinet Archive - Posting 001040.txt from 1998/07

From: "Matt C. Palasik" <mattp169@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re:Kell
Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 14:32:15 -0400

> OF COURSE YOU SHOULD ARGUE WITH SOCIETY. Whose opinion was it that said
> Kell's slower interpretation "was not acceptable for a contemporary
> performance?" Isn't your opinion as valid as theirs? Are you very young?
> Unless you assert your own feelings you will not grow. Not to say that if
> you are clearly WRONG that you should push your point, but HECK, we are
> talking about musical interpretation, and how the music moves the soul. If
> it feels good slow, DO IT SLOW, and who can say thats wrong. I'm sure many
> others feel the emotion the same way as you do. Don't be bamboozled by
> strong willed people asserting THEIR feelings.
I agree that asserting ones feelings helps an individual grow and learn.
I mean if you have an opinion express it and listen to other people
express their opinions on your opinion. This is how we learn,
However when it comes to musical interpretation of a particular piece
there are people who can say it was bad good or indifferent, The
AUDIENCE. It is important to remember the reason we perform at any
particular time. IMHO when you are playing in a small intimate setting
or in an educational experience, where the audience has a chance to
discuss with the performer why he/she chose to perform a piece in a
particular manner then extreme deviation from the established norms,
particularly with classical music, since it is such a well established
performance genre, is acceptable. But when you are giving a large
performance, auditioning, or doing a jury, leaving the established norms
or performance should be avoided. The Audience comes to hear you
perform and you are there to give them enjoyment from your playing. YOu
want them to enjoy themselves. So your interpretation of a piece should
be acceptable to your audience. We have to remember we as performers
often perform for money. This monetary compensation is usually received
from the moneys paid by the audience. You want to give them their
moneys worth. If the audience is not happy with your interpretation,
and news of this gets around, you may hurt your own chances of obtaining
another performance and being able to perform again and make money to
put the proverbial bread on the table. I believe the situation in which
you are performing should weigh heavily on you decisions on
interpretation. Allow me to give you an example.

I mentioned on the list yesterday to newer bands that perform swing
music, The Cherry Poppin Daddies and The Big Bad Voodoo Daddies. The
use older songs, and licks from various songs in their own music.
Usually it is not 100% true to the original works or even normal
deviations of the works. BUt they updated the works for today's
audience so it could be marketed in the mainstream alternative music
world. In this situation deviation from established performance norm is
a good thing. Especially if you ask the tens of thousands of fans these
two bands have.

So yes there is someone out there to say if your interpretation is right
or wrong. But it always depends upon the medium and performance
situation and most importantly the reasons you are giving the
performance.

I hope this fits into what other list members were saying about making
yourself clear in expressing yourself when posting, both in grammar and
spelling.

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