Re: They all gotta be winners

[john grant <dohertygrant@sympatico.ca>]

You are quite right about competitions, Anne.   It's not like the Bar exams
or other professional entrance requirements, where the issue is to maintain
(or at least appear to maintain) a minimum standard of competence presumably
to protect the public.   I suppose the purpose is quasi-academic, as a kind
of academic/aesthetic rating system.   But I'm not convinced musical ability
is "objectively" measurable in the sense in which such rating systems or
meritocracies in general are said to be in non-arts fields.   The piano
competition is definitely more of a gladiator thing.

Oh, and by the way, a non-Torontian has compelled me to correct myself on
the sculpture/statue of Gould.   I was going to say that I've never actually
SEEN the sculpture up by the old music library, which I drive by almost
every day!  I just assumed that's where it was!   In fact, I'm told it's by
the new CBC studio.   Now I'm really going to have to make an effort to see
it!

John G.

======================

J.A.L. Grant
Barrister & Solicitor
Toronto, ON
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/42/john_lewis_grant.html



----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne Smith" <smithqa@NEXICOM.NET>
To: <F_MINOR@EMAIL.RUTGERS.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2002 8:27 AM
Subject: They all gotta be winners


> Kate said:
>
> >I too have met people who think that their own artistic efforts are
> > devalued because they encounter someone who is more skilful, more
> > successful, more  of a true artist.
>
> This is especially meaningful to me this month.  The Kiwanis Music
Festival
> is running here for two weeks. Glenn Gould won top honours at the very
first
> Festival.  He was a child then.  I don't think he ever entered any of the
> major piano competitions as a young adult.
>
> I share his opinions on music competitions for several reasons.  One of
> these can be summed up by the quote from Kate's letter.  Another reason
> is -- music is subjective .  What appeals to one person does not to
another.
> A good example of this is Glenn Gould's interpretation of the Mozart
> Sonatas.
>
> Sadly, music education is going in the same direction as hockey games.
You
> are a winner or a loser.  Making your instrument sing does not count for
> much.
>
> Anne Smith