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From: greg@olivej.UUCP (Greg Paley)
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: discussion
Message-ID: <266@olivej.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 21-Dec-84 14:43:48 EST
Article-I.D.: olivej.266
Posted: Fri Dec 21 14:43:48 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 23-Dec-84 08:13:49 EST
References: <> <61@lanierrnd.UUCP>
Organization: Olivetti ATC, Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 46

To say that there is no such thing as good, bad, great, and inferior
music, that it is ultimately a matter of personal taste, is the kind
of thing that people don't really believe themselves when they say
it.  They say these things so as not to offend and anger others.  At
least, I'm convinced that this is the case with anyone who really
loves music, rather than considering it a trifling amusement.

My own belief is that there are very real, tangible levels of
greatness in musical composition just as there are varying degrees
of talent in performers, and in all of the arts.  Likewise, the
ability to differentiate these, to perceive the differences, is
ultimately what one means by referring to "taste" and is, in
itself, a talent which not everyone possesses to the same degree.
I realize that this sounds snobbish and elitist since I'm saying
that some people will be inherently unable to reach the same levels
of artistic perception that others will, but I feel that, however
unfortunate it may be, this is the truth.

I would say, further, that in great art there is a moral statement
that has to do with the honesty and integrity of the composer and
performer.  This honesty and integrity, however, are strictly with
regard to the relationship between the composer/performer and his
art, and have nothing to do with the non-artistic personal life
of the artist.

Therefore, even though I don't particularly "enjoy" John Cage's
music, I am not repelled by it as I am by most of Puccini's work,
which is more "enjoyable" on a surface level.  Cage's music has
the effect on me of a drama whose plot and characters I am unable
to relate to and follow and which therefore fails to sustain my
interest.  Puccini's music has the effect of a TV commercial which,
although beautifully filmed with attractive people, is so blatantly
contrived and manipulative of its audience that it angers me.

The paradox is that I attend a number of Puccini opera performances
and have a large number of Puccini recordings, particularly of
"Tosca", one of the worst examples.  The reason for this is that,
even though the musical context bothers me, I enjoy hearing the
actual work of Tebaldi, Callas, Price, and other great singers
as they apply themselves to this music, just as I enjoy looking
at the beautiful model even as the commercial's message is
nauseating me.

	- Greg Paley