Klarinet Archive - Posting 000136.txt from 2005/11

From: "Matthew Lloyd" <matthew@-----.uk>
Subj: [kl] Conversion
Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2005 05:11:45 -0500

It is possible to convert for political and not religious reasons. I
would cite John Donne as an example.

Whether Mahler converted for political or religious reasons isn't
something that has been gone into in depth. But if it is political, then
surely his thought processes will be unchanged and his belief system
remain as it was - at least inside of him.

Certainly the same can be said of John Donne.

One can be one thing and make out to the world that one is something
else. And if that is the situation that someone is suggesting for
Mahler, then his previous religion is relevant.

I'd argue anyone's early belief system was relevant to understanding
him. Were I to become a "believer" now, surely my 39 years of atheism
would affect my view of my new religion?

Matthew

PS - If you prefer, think of an oboist who learnt the clarinet. Would
they not approach it in a slightly different way, and would the previous
instrument learnt be relevant?

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