Klarinet Archive - Posting 000071.txt from 2000/09

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: Re: [kl] For Tony Pay re:Schoenberg
Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2000 01:19:54 -0400

On Sun, 03 Sep 2000 17:37:00 +0100, I said:

> The story is a malicious fabrication that effectively demeans the many
> young composers who struggle to write music and have it performed,
> often against very great odds.

The thread about Burghauser's Schoenberg story has just come to some
sort of conclusion. I just wanted to point out to you that it took
several people and quite a lot of work to decide that it says nothing
very conclusive about Schoenberg's own abilities, but rather more about
how we -- people, that is -- normally behave.

What I wrote above, about 'your' story, wasn't intended to imply that
the malice was put in when the story was made up, even less that you are
a malicious person. And of course, it's sort of natural to pass such
things on, because they're quite funny, in a way.

The effect is malicious, though, because we don't take the time to
consider the evidence as to whether or not the story is true. It
therefore effectively *becomes* true. And as you noticed, it's much
less funny to be on the receiving end of the joke.

I'm sorry if you were upset by the thought that I was rude to you. But
if I stepped on your foot a little hard, it might make you -- and
myself, and perhaps others -- a little less likely to pass on the next
bit of gossip without thinking about it.

Schoenberg is dead now, and I don't suppose the young composers care all
that much, either.

But trying to follow the general principle might do some good in the
world. It might make it less likely that someone gets lynched.

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE GMN family artist: www.gmn.com
tel/fax 01865 553339

Blessed is the lion that the man will devour, and the lion will become man.
And loathsome is the man that the lion will devour,
and the lion will become man.

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