I know just what you mean! I attended an appalling recital recently, in fact 'disgusting' would not be too strong a word to use, for one who cared about simple decency in such performances ! An assault on the musical mind, not to mention a demonstration of a thorough misunderstanding of the composer's actual meaning, which was ludicrously deformed by the ignorant, nay, uncivilized, interpretations offered. The most shocking thing to me was that the notes of the main piece were actually changed to suit the needs of the debased performer-- and yet the program stated explicitly that such had not been the case! Believe it or not, most in that recital hall (which was in a rapidly deteriorating neighborhood, I might mention) clapped and clapped! No note was too discordant to them, no interpretation too foolish! What does that say about the tragic lack of respect for standards of excellence in our country? About the sorry decline of our very civilization?!
The child of course was grinning ear to ear, in his simple way; but in the long run, he remains an ignoramus, and the audience is revealed as woefully lacking in any civilized standard of performance. They must, I fear, accept their share of responsibility for the filth and corruption and lack of integrity our society is increasingly accepting as the norm.
I personally feel deeply that this country should get back to valuing basics and stop applauding shameful performances. It is a matter not only of esthetics, but of principle! Truth! Values! A matter of simple justice!
We do so agree on this. |
