Klarinet Archive - Posting 000814.txt from 1999/10

From: Audrey Travis <vsofan@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] re: no apology
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 10:05:39 -0400

David Renaud wrote:

> Nancy Buckman wrote:
>
> > I give up. What's the answer?
>
> The source..... it hit a nerve .....Responses were requested off the
> list. Sanction 2: Applaud the performance enough not to draw attention to
> oneself,> but later, foment reprisals against those responsible.
> > Appropriate for: grossly offensive conduct by the performer(s) in situations
> > where open dissent would endanger the audience.
> > Example (hypothetical): In Nazi Germany, by way of introducing the music,
> > the conductor reads aloud from Richard Wagner's anti-Semetic screeds,
> > expresses agreement with them and boasts that there are no Jews or non-whites
> > in his orchestra.
>
> Applause, appropriate?????
> Dangerous to mix politics and art isn't it.
>
> How can this relate.......?.
>
> Has anyone in the working clarinet world had difficulty
> will the imposition of unjust politics on our art? Perhaps
> in the pit, accompanying some theater display that really
> hit a nerve? Is it professional to accompany anything
> and everything regardless of the content.
>
> Cheers
> Dave Renaud

Well stated, Dave. I can only comment on your final question. Perhaps some would
say compromising your ethics/morals depends on how badly you want to eat. In a
free society, where we are exposed to all kind of positive and negative stimuli,
and where results of the stimulii are as yet unknown, one's high moral standards
and personal ethics are of the highest human value. Is the show you are to play
in or accompany degrading to anyone's human dignity? If so, I would then reply -
don't do it. Morals and ethics are based on the right to dignity for every human
being, regardless of any other consideration - religion, race, colour.

In the case of nazi germany (lower case letters intentional) whether you play or
accompany might have determined whether or not you lived. This is a far different
can of worms. In Judaism, life is a gift from G-d. Therefore, you may not
dispose of it in any way or at any time you choose. One of the prime imperatives,
therefore, is to stay alive to do as much good in the world today or at a later
date as possible. So, were the Jews who were forced by nazis to perform in
orchestras in death camps compromising their morals or staying alive (to fight the
good fight another day)?

Cheers

Audrey

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