Klarinet Archive - Posting 000354.txt from 2005/02

From: ormo2ndtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: Re: [kl] Composer's intentions
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 12:47:49 -0500

Any artistic inclination can be carried to such extremes that it becomes
unpleasing. Some of the examples that have been used in this thread
were intended as hyperbole. Presumably we all understand this.

For me, the bottom line is that both composer and performer deserve some
say in the final product. Often there *is* value in sticking as
closely as possible to what the composer wrote, but also it is
unacceptable to categorically deny all latitude to performers.

Unless "intellectual property" laws --- copyright, performance or rental
contract, honesty in advertising, etc --- place obligations on the
performer, the deciding factor (imo) is whether the result is pleasing
or not.

A couple of nights ago, I heard an artist **massacre** Tchaikovsky's
violin concerto --- full of himself, cavorting on stage, and doing 'his
own thing' as far as the notes were concerned. For me the performance
was a huge disappointment. It was (for me) an example of bad music.
But the audience gave standing ovations. So who's to say?

Both composer and performer have (and deserve) "intellectual rights" of
several different types. Sometimes there are conflicts; but the most
important thing (imo) is that one rule of behavior cannot applied to
every situation.

Thank you,
Ormond

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