Facts and Comments (Paperback)


This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1902. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... of musical audiences at the present day are in the same relative position. They appreciate but little the musical ideas and feelings of the composer, or the effective rendering of them; but an extraordinary feat of vocalization, or a display of marvellous gymnastics on the violin, brings a round of applause. And then, unhappily, as the members of the orchestra applaud--applaud because they know how great are the difficulties overcome--the audience is encouraged in the belief that this is music, and clap lest they should be thought persons of no taste. In this way performers, desiring less to render faithfully the meanings of the pieces they play than to exhibit their powers of execution, vitiate the music and the tastes of their hearers. Direct evidence has come to me from two lady-pianists, both of whom played at concerts pieces which they chose not because they were beautiful but because they were of kinds making it possible to show brilliancy of performance: a toccata was the programme-name of one. The elder of these ladies, who was a teacher of music, admitted that she hoped to show parents what a good teacher she must be to be able to play in that style As is implied by these confessions, the mischief originates in the performer's pre-occupation with self, for this largely excludes occupation with the composer's thoughts. The dominant feeling is not love of the music rendered but desire for the applause which brilliant rendering will bring. In the cases of celebrated performers to whom crowds of hearers flock, this is almost a necessity. Many years ago, when coming away from a concert given by a celebrated Russian pianist, I remarked--" Too little music and too much Rubinstein." Nor is this all. There is a more widely diffused and less obtrusive mischief. ...

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Product Description

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1902. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... of musical audiences at the present day are in the same relative position. They appreciate but little the musical ideas and feelings of the composer, or the effective rendering of them; but an extraordinary feat of vocalization, or a display of marvellous gymnastics on the violin, brings a round of applause. And then, unhappily, as the members of the orchestra applaud--applaud because they know how great are the difficulties overcome--the audience is encouraged in the belief that this is music, and clap lest they should be thought persons of no taste. In this way performers, desiring less to render faithfully the meanings of the pieces they play than to exhibit their powers of execution, vitiate the music and the tastes of their hearers. Direct evidence has come to me from two lady-pianists, both of whom played at concerts pieces which they chose not because they were beautiful but because they were of kinds making it possible to show brilliancy of performance: a toccata was the programme-name of one. The elder of these ladies, who was a teacher of music, admitted that she hoped to show parents what a good teacher she must be to be able to play in that style As is implied by these confessions, the mischief originates in the performer's pre-occupation with self, for this largely excludes occupation with the composer's thoughts. The dominant feeling is not love of the music rendered but desire for the applause which brilliant rendering will bring. In the cases of celebrated performers to whom crowds of hearers flock, this is almost a necessity. Many years ago, when coming away from a concert given by a celebrated Russian pianist, I remarked--" Too little music and too much Rubinstein." Nor is this all. There is a more widely diffused and less obtrusive mischief. ...

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Product Details

General

Imprint

General Books LLC

Country of origin

United States

Release date

2012

Availability

Supplier out of stock. If you add this item to your wish list we will let you know when it becomes available.

First published

2012

Authors

Dimensions

246 x 189 x 4mm (L x W x T)

Format

Paperback - Trade

Pages

122

ISBN-13

978-0-217-21009-6

Barcode

9780217210096

Categories

LSN

0-217-21009-0



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