Author: Matt74
Date: 2021-12-06 02:07
Whatever works for the individual, but please don't throw good stuff out.
I have professionally published and printed editions of things from 30 years ago. I use them. A lot of people do.
Everything I've printed was junk and got thrown out. I hardly ever used it because it was on flimsy unbound sheets. I can't keep it on the stand because it's always flying off and getting lost. It doesn't even want to stand up straight. The only time I really ever used it was for a specific performance. It's too expensive to get it bound.
By that measure, buying the music is far more environmentally responsible than printing it out. 20 people can use the exact same part over the years. If you figure how many times it gets printed but not used, misprinted, and re-printed, electronic versions actually consume reams of paper. Also, a lot of scotch tape. One professional copy is good for 100 years or more if taken care of.
Professionally published music comes on larger, heaver sheets that have folds, etc. It's more durable, it looks better (at least the old stuff does), and easier to read. I can't stand (no pun, ok pun) reading music on the ipad, and I don't want it falling on the floor and busting into a million pieces. I'm way too clumsy.
The trashing of our libraries (literally), music or otherwise, is an inestimable cultural loss. Digital copies can be deleted with a keystroke, are often incomplete or poorly done, and are hard to organize. Lots of good stuff never gets scanned. Files can get corrupted. I have a 30+ page bibliography that I did that is corrupted. Over time file formats change, and sometimes old formats become impossible to open, or are displayed incorrectly. Re-formatting and migrating data becomes a huge problem. Digital music copies aren't really practical for everyday use, at least until everyone throws away their Manhasset for an "Apple iStand". (No, there is no such thing...)
IMSLP is great for a lot of things. I think that digital archives are awesome, like this one: https://confessio.ie/#. It's a great way that a lot of people can access rare copies like manuscripts. However, they can't be a one-to-one substitute for the real thing.
I'm only saying that they aren't strictly interchangeable.
Also, contemporary engraving has no style.
- Matthew Simington
Post Edited (2021-12-06 02:40)
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