Klarinet Archive - Posting 000063.txt from 2007/05

From: "Vincent DiMalta" <atlamid@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Music and Politics
Date: Wed, 09 May 2007 08:55:16 -0400

Let me be clearer, the prior statement is not about Wagner in particular, it
is about the affecting of viewpoint and art by dealing with analysis of a
person, which may or may not be fully correct. Do we have the right to
review and come to our conclusions... absolutely! Otherwise all those who
have fought so hard for this freedom would have died in vain. Is this a
road which limits our perceptions as to the value of the art. I think so.
Preconceptions have done this and continue to do so. If on the basis of
this path you choose to negate the art, understand what is being done and
why. Again this is the right of all to choose. However, there have been
many persons who have been denied their due while they were living due to
the politics of the moment, and others raised to questionable elevated
status due to the same politics of the moment. But this get us into
politics, not music. I understand there is and have probably always been a
relationship between the issues, and affirm each person's right to choose
what to support and not to support. I ask you to understand that the process
of analysis of a person and the politics may have the result of affectation
of viewpoint and perceptions, which may negate the art in persons' minds.
This limits the response to the art due to the preconceptions.
On an another side, the analysis of the person and the time may appear to
enhance and elevate the understanding of the person, and give the impression
of enhancing the art. In this situation the art may be overvalued based upon
overly positive attributions. Both are related to preconceptions, and may
distort the valuing of the art as art. While it is very difficult to come
music/art without preconceptions, I question that these preconceptions truly
add or subtract from the art itself, while it will affect our response to
the art.

Since this is a viewpoint that appears not accepted. I will cease to
respond to any further statements. I ask you to respect the right of a
person to present their viewpoint, even it you do not agree with it. Vince

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