Re: composers playing their own concertos

[Bruce Petherick <bpetherick@SHAW.CA>]

At 11:19 PM 07/11/2002 +0200, you wrote:

> > Yeah, somewhere I have the LP of Prokofiev playing his own 3rd.  Well
> > done.  Also, even better, Shostakovich playing both his concertos.
> >
> > Please tell us you HAVE heard Rachmaninoff's recordings of all his own
> > concertos and the Rhapsody!  If not, run get them...either the RCA or the
> > newer Naxos.  And the way he conducted his 3rd symphony, wow!
> >
> > Ravel's own recording of "Bolero" is excellent, as well.
>
> I thought the composer's own interpretation (provided he is competent enough
> with an instrument!) is always perfect, even if he changes it drastically in
> every performance. He is the only one who knows exactly how the music should
> sound at that particular moment. Can anyone else know it better?

Can anyone say "Death of the Author[Composer!]".
I violently disagree with this! If this was the case, we would need any
other recordings as that performance is "perfect", or, more accurately, is
faithful to the text at that moment for that listener/performer
combination. Too bad that this is a singularity.

Bruce Petherick
24 Hour Emergency Musicologist

PS: Sorry for the first message without the signature - it was a bit rude
not to sign the missive.