Klarinet Archive - Posting 000328.txt from 2002/02
From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Mozart Gran Partittttta bar
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 00:43:46 -0500
--- Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net> wrote:
> Of course, Tony is correct to say that ultimately, the performer makes
> the decision. I'm not arguing that, only that the rationale behind that
> decision has to have reason, reality, evidence, and thought behind it.
> Simply liking it one way more than another way presents none of these
> things, only a reminiscence of the last incorrect performance.
Naturally, the ongoing mission among those in pursuit, to purify and authenti-
ate music on the basis of fact and precedence, will never fully prevail in the
real world. There will always be a spectrum of applied scholastic integrity
across the range of players, academicians, and player/academicians who are in-
olved in the debate at any given time. This doesn't mean that the work toward
greater musical truth should stop, but I would get at least mildly frustrated
over time if I knew that, in spite of all my efforts to educate others and clar-
ify with accuracy the intentions of the composer, there would always be those
who would do it the other way, all the worse when they knew better. The old
"you can lead a horse to water..." bit. Participating in the coninuous illu-
mination and amplification of truth doubtless has rewards unto itself. Part
of me is glad that these people are so persistent and investigate the facts
for their own sake. And part of me is glad that there will always be those
who know the rules and break them anyway. The latter group appears to be
more innovative, future-bound. The question that arises in my mind pertains
to whether that future must rest on a foundation of historical accuracy. Will
it be valid and vibrant irrespective of what little deference may be paid to
what came before? Most other forms of human creation and development have
moved along quite nicely in spite of countless errors in documentation of the
past, e.g., the victors write the history books, and so forth. I imagine mu-
sic is similar this way. In all lasting (i.e., non-ephemeral) cases, there
appears to be a balance of sorts, where not all of the facts are taken into
consideration when looking ahead, but it really isn't possible to ignore them
completely and still generate something new that is meaningful and relevant to
the people whose identity and spirit it is supposed to reflect.
Just musing out loud, knowing that I'm going to be dog-tired after so little
sleep later this morning. What a day it's going to be! (Actually, I imagine
it'll be quite a good day ~ positive thinking & all.)
~ Neil
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