Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site olivej.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!oliveb!olivej!greg 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