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You grossly misunderstand and under-appreciate the role of a classical performer. It is true that they strive to honor the wishes of the composer. But if they
by hellofunk 9y ago
You grossly misunderstand and under-appreciate the role of a classical performer. It is true that they strive to honor the wishes of the composer. But if they all did this the same way, there would be no need for musicians. Instead, each interprets the world of the composer through the lens of their own individual creativity. Performing music is as much of a creative art as composing music. There is nothing narrow, closed, or "merely" about it.
- beat 9y agoThe need for musicians in classical music was because they didn't have any other way to play it. I imagine most of the classical composers would have loved modern recording, and not bothered with composing for other musicians, if they could have avoided it. I think of Conlon Noncarrow, who composed mostly for player pianos. Human beings couldn't play his compositions. He was driven to the player piano by the limitations of human performers.