Klarinet Archive - Posting 000801.txt from 2002/05

From: w7wright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: RE: [kl] A Colour Symphony op. 24
Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 14:29:24 -0400

<><> Mark wrote:
You've jumped to a conclusion that music summons "'extra-its-own-domain'
images"; how can you now extrapolate on a possibly faulty conclusion to
other things?

__IF__ my perception that music summons images from other domains is
false (which is a big 'if'), then you're correct.

I'm willing to accept your statement that it doesn't work this way for
you. It is as difficult for me to understand how it couldn't as it is
for you to understand how it could. But I accept your statement.
Once again, this has been an especially educational discussion for me,
and I'm glad that you explained.

==================================

<><> Mark wrote:
You've clarified (to the point of nearly reversing your previous
statements) and have now brought forth an opinion that 'on-the-needle'
intonation can become boring. Tell that to all the excellent
harpsichordists who can only create music in two dimensions - pitch and
timing.

With no insult intended to harpsichordists, I *do* tire more quickly of
harpsichord music than piano music (whose pedal and key mechanisms offer
more variety). The fact is that the piano has replaced harpsichord for
the most part. So I'm not alone in this respect.

Even in the world of harpsichords, someone posted an explanation of how
harpsichords were enhanced eventually with a "third dimension" that
allowed two levels of loudness and sustain (I think it was) on some
notes but not on all notes, or something similar.

We could carry this a step further by pointing out that a piano's tuning
is not adjustable during a performance, and yet piano is the mainstay of
much music. So does this defeat my statement that constant tuning is
boring?

....well, to be quite honest, I listen to more non-piano solos than I do
to piano solos. So for me, the question is answered. But once again,
I'm beginning to discuss individual preferences rather than more
universal (perhaps?) aspects of music.

==================================

I apologize in advance for the following, but I cannot resist being
handed a straight line such as this one:

<><> Music, a far from universal language ... but enjoyed by almost all.

Oh, music is a language?

Many Cheers,
Bill

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