Klarinet Archive - Posting 000435.txt from 2001/07

From: Ed Wojtowicz <ewoj@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: musicianship was: Another musician honoured!
Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 22:16:36 -0400

I think that this is an interesting discussion, in terms of philosophy or
point of view. It all seems to depend somewhat on how each listener
perceives musicianship or the definition of "musician". Many people have a
different point of view on this issue. It is also interesting to me that
personal tastes or appreciation of styles may color one's opinion. What I
mean here is that sometimes I hear a style of music that I don't feel I have
an appreciation or deep understanding, and I am told that the particular
performer is considered to be one of the top musicians in that style. To my
ear, I just don't hear it.

I have read articles or interviews with jazz players who look down their
noses at classical players as being drones who merely replicate what is on
the page. I am sure most of us would not agree with this perspective. At the
same time, I recall having a discussion once with someone while listening to
an avant-garde jazz player, where I was critical of the lack of tone quality
and intonation. My listening companion debated that these elements were not
necessarily as important as the creativity and passion in the performance.

I think that musicality or being a "musician" has a lot to do with
perspective. I think that it is much in the way that in recent years there
has been a great deal of research on various types on intelligence. There
may be different aspects of musicianship. I often consider that in different
styles, there may be different points that we are judging. The issue then
may boil down to where to draw the line. Of course, we could probably then
discuss whether John Cage is music or Andy Worhol is art.

Time period may also affect our judgement as seen in Nicolas Slonimsky's
Lexicon of Musical Invective. For those unfamiliar with this book, it is a
collection of critical assaults on musical masterpieces since Beethoven's
time. It is interesting to note how many of these compositions were received
at the premieres or shortly after.

I often sense that another part of the issue is frustration. Frustration at
having spent a considerable portion of our lives trying to perfect the
control, nuance and subtleties of our art, and that at the same time, some
out there are making millions whanging away at three chords on a guitar and
the public considers them geniuses.

I realize that I am rambling a bit, but to summarize, I think that it all
seems to depend on how one defines the words musicality and musician, what
we value as music, and perspective. I myself think that the terms musician
and genius are thrown around far too much and that they should be reserved
for the exquisite. Much in the same way as I feel that standing ovations at
concerts seem to be the norm in recent years rather than the exception. But
then again, that is another argument.

Ed

> From: AnneLenoir@-----.net (Anne Lenoir)
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.org
> Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 13:13:49 -0600 (MDT)
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] Another musician honoured!
>
> I agree with you wholeheartedly, Tony. When I think of a "great"
> guitarist, I think of Django Rinehardt or Charlie Christian, not Eric
> Clapton even though we perform several of Clapton's tunes in our night
> club act. When I think of a great vocalist, I think of Diana Krall, who
> is also an accomplished jazz pianist, who accompanies herself
> beautifully, or Ella Fitzgerald. I don't think of Celine Dion, even
> though I am embarrassed to admit that I play a solo-clarinet version of
> her hit tune, "My Heart Will Go On" (Titanic Theme). And I get sick when
> I think of Elvis. He never could play the guitar. But, I confess that we
> do an Elvis Medley in our nightclub act. Don (my husband) imitates
> Elvis, I sequenced together the medley on the synthesizer, and I try to
> sing like the Jordanaires, Elvis' back-up singers.
> Tony, you know who my favorite entertainer is. I don't think
> anybody on the list could ever enjoy him the way I do. Check out
> www.reverendbilly.com I was just listening to his tune "What I
> used to do all night, now it takes me all night to do" and thinking how
> painfully relevant that tune is to trying to master Rose #26. I used to
> rattle off those etudes effortlessly. Now it takes forever. My brain is
> frustrated & confused. Forgive me if I got off track. ANNIE
>
>
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