Klarinet Archive - Posting 000717.txt from 2004/10

From: Adam Michlin <amichlin@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Appealing to the superficial
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 19:23:14 -0400

At 11:32 PM 10/24/2004 +0100, Tony Pay wrote:
> > I'm curious, would you accept, hypothetically, an invitation to perform
> > K622 with a school band?
>
>It would depend a lot on what I knew of the school band.
>
> > Paid at your usual fee, of course.
>
>Huh?

Ok, I'll rephrase my question.

Would you accept an invitation to perform K622 with a very good band for
the same fee you would charge a very good orchestra? I will readily admit I
am both curious as to your answer and trying to make a point.

> > > But I have to say that, if I chose the option to try to 'sell Mozart'
> > > (wrong to start with) -- 'at a discount price' (even more wrong) -- I'd
> > > be even less sorry for them.
> >
> > Certainly your right. Now that I understand your position clearly, I
> > promise not to burden any of my students with your recordings since they
> > are but a discount version of flying out to England to hear you play live.
>
>I used {sell discount price} as a metaphor. Perhaps you should become a
>politician.

You chose the metaphor, not me. Shall I extend it?

The one and only true way to hear Mozart Piano Concertos is live with the
composer playing them. I'd give my left arm to be able to hear that, forget
about money! Since we can't have that, we should all stop playing and
listening to "discount" (equating to "even more wrong") Mozart Piano
Concertos. Or perhaps the next time you're hired to play K622 you should
send Stadler in, instead.

Me? I'd be happy to make the sacrifice and hear you play, discount,
wrongness and all. But, to bolster your argument, my first reaction when
someone mentions selling out is to say "Where do I sign?" (my second
reaction is to look at my bank account balance and cry, but I digress).

>But even so, fine by me that they don't hear my recordings. So what?

Who cares if they listen, indeed!

> > I only ask that you think about what I try to do as a teacher the next time
> > you play for a half empty hall.
>
>Yes -- I might even wonder whether it was you that screwed it up. You have
>appalling confidence in yourself.

If by "appalling confidence" you mean I believe that all kids who
participate in music programs at school ages should be exposed to Mozart
(in *whatever* form) in the hopes that by doing so we might plant the seeds
of later appreciation (however you want to define appreciation), then I agree.

The Appallingly Confident Ignorant American (or should that be The Ignorant
Appallingly Confident American? Hm.),

-Adam

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