Here's Terry Teachout's almanac quote for the day, which I really like:
"It seems to me that a prig is someone who judges people by his own, rather than by their, standards; criticism only becomes useful when it can show people where their own principles are in conflict."
Evelyn Waugh, Remote People
I'm always amazed by critics whose gigantic egos allow them to think their take on a piece of music is the only one worth having. This quote brought that to mind and takes it another step, that criticism is useful when it helps others deepen their perceptions and thoughts on art.
Whether it's an art or music critic, or a music educator or therapist - I'm immediately suspicious and somewhat put off by anyone saying theirs is the only correct approach.
Update - Jonathan West puts it very, very well in his comment below.
". . . while there are a thousand wrong ways of doing anything in music, there are at least a hundred different right ways."
I work on the principle that while there are a thousand wrong ways of doing anything in music, there are at least a hundred different right ways.
ReplyDeleteI've a rehearsal this evening in which I have to try and find at least one right way of playing Brahms 4...
Jonathan - Put that up on post level because it's so very apt. Thanks.
ReplyDelete