Klarinet Archive - Posting 000439.txt from 2001/07

From: Frank Garcia <fgarcia@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Another musician honoured!
Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2001 07:34:10 -0400

Annie,
You said:
> Dear Frank, You're right that people should decide for themselves what
> is art for them. If somebody wants to like Kenny G, then it's o.k. with
> me. But I think I have the right to prefer Charlie Parker. If they ever
> did rename the Colorado Springs Airport after Kenny G, I personally
> would be very happy about the fact that we are moving away from the
> airport up to the mountains in Manitou Springs.

I didn't say you couldn't, shouldn't or whatever, have an opinion.
Personally, I *like* your taste in music. But telling others that Kenny G's
music shouldn't be listened to because "it is not worthy" is offensive to
me. Let them figure it out for themselves ;).

I had an elitist attitude when I was younger. Then I met my father-in-law,
who is not a musician, but a very intelligent and creative man with a fine
appreciation for music. I once heard Tschaikovsky's opera Eugene Onegin on
the radio at his house. I, never being much of a Tschaikovsky fan blurted
out, in a "Rain Man-esque" sort of way, Tschaikovsky sucks! I offended him,
not with my language but with my statement. After thinking it through, I
realized that my opinion is really not that more insightful than his,
despite the fact I have been a professional musician for 20 years. He is
smart, creative in different ways than I am, has excellent taste and a
critical eye and ears.

My point is music appeals to people in different ways. Some people love
Mahler. Others can't sit still for 5 minutes, which would create
difficulties listening to an entire symphony. But since there is such a
variety of music to be explored, I am certain this twitchy person can find
music to appreciate.

> It's not like I turned my
> nose up at it and never tried it. The year that I dropped out of Oberlin
> (1968) for a "sabbatical" was the year that I learned and memorized
> every tune on the SGT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND.

I think that "She's Leaving Home" is a great song!

> I have been so
> caught up in trying to please the public that my clarinet playing has
> suffered. I'm glad yours hasn't.

I was not trying to be an *arrogant blowhard* with the statement about my
playing. I was just trying to make a point that music is subjective. Can we
make peace?
Frank Garcia

Frank Garcia
fgarcia@-----.edu
http://www.d.umn.edu/music/faculty/fgarcia.html

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