Klarinet Archive - Posting 000738.txt from 2001/09

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: [kl] Kabuki
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 14:46:58 -0400

In order to appreciate some of Cage's works, you need to have some sort
of notion of this content/context relationship. That's important for a
performer, even if it isn't consciously understood, and it's why what he
is on about is important too.

But you don't have to *like* the way he puts it over. We like what we
like.

I think that in order to understand how the unconscious context you
bring to any performance is overwhelmingly important, you need only to
go to something like the Japanese Kabuki theatre. (The Noh theatre is
perhaps even more difficult.) I know that's not an easy thing to do for
very many of us.

Kabuki is a popular art form, involving declamation, action and music.
Ordinary Japanese enthusiastically go to it, participate in it, and find
it worthwhile. Nevertheless, it is initially incomprehensible to a
Westerner. We just don't have the context. The music sounds weird, the
declamation even more weird.

Of course, that's not to say that we can't develop the context in which
to appreciate it.

This sort of consideration is very relevant to the present world
situation, the resolution of which may require more 'moving of
boundaries', in Ed Wojtowicz's wise words, than we can easily achieve.

I hope we can manage it. God knows how.

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

... Earth is full. Go home.

---------------------------------------------------------------------