Re: GG: audience voyeurism (was Re: Ecstasy and obligation)

[Arin Murphy <la_murph@alcor.concordia.ca>]

On Sun, 1 Jun 1997, Frederic Howell - EECS wrote:

> 
> I think you've given a great example of the voyeurism of the audience that
> Gould disliked in the concert experience.  I'm not sure he wanted people
> estimating how he felt from the 20th row, and I'm almost positive he
> didn't want that estimation to play a part in how they perceived his
> performance.
> 
> Frederic Howell
> 

I think a lot of live performances are distracting, actually. I often
close my eyes in concert halls to concentrate on the music, which is what
I'm there for. The immense pressure on a performer who is appearing live
to `get it right', trying to cope with all those eyes, must be
overwhelming; and yet I've heard some spectacular performances that way as
well as flops. The energy going back and forth between the audience and
the performer is astonishingly powerful, and if you can catch it and ride
it and use it to help you, then it's like magic. If you miss, though,
that's it. In recording sessions, however, you're drawing completely from
yourself and from the music. It's a different kind of music that results,
I think. I won't say if it's better or not, that's unfair; you'd be
comparing apples and walnuts. But I think the term `live experience'
encompasses visual, audio and so forth, so maybe closing my eyes is
defeating the purpose!

I often wonder about GG's decision to withdraw from the concert stage. I
respect it - I mean, it's a personal thing - but I can't help wondering if
he was afraid of it, or if it threatened him in any way. I know all the
resons he's cited, and I can respect his desire to stick with the purity
of the recording studio... just can't help wondering. Thoughts, anyone?


Arin Murphy
Student, Savoyard,
Bookseller, Cellist-By-Night

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"It really isn't difficult if you give your whole mind to it."
				-Lady Angela, Act 1
				   Gilbert & Sullivan's `Patience'