[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: [F_minor]http://archives.radio-canada.ca/arts_culture/musique/dossiers/309/
Psychobiography, and in particular psychobiography-by-diagnosis, really gets
on my nerves. Diagnosis is a useful tool in the practice of
psychology/psychiatry, certainly -- it allows one to create a simplified
model of a person (or an aspect of the person anyway) and thereby help them
more effectively. But as a biographical tool? What use is simplification in
trying to create a picture of a life? I haven't yet (and admittedly I am
still young...) managed to create anything resembling a neat, consistent,
coherent concept of myself, my own beliefs, and my own priorities -- to
think I could do this for someone else seems the height of arrogance. And
these psychobiographical diagnoses are often given with such a tone of
authority, too...as though to say "this is how you should understand this
person, end of discussion."
I find this especially problematic with post-mortem psychobiography, since
the person in question is no longer able to challenge the propositions made
about them. Any competent psychiatrist should see the problem with this
approach, as a diagnostic session always involves interaction with the
patient himself, a process that often leads to considerable insight.
(I expect a forthcoming detailed rebuttal of this argument from S.F. Lemming
;>)
Etha
On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 10:15 AM, Houpt, Fred <fred.houpt@rbc.com> wrote:
> I am not sure (because all my sheet music is at home) exactly which
> piece he plays on the television studio spot. For me it is so charged
> with power and very satisfying.
>
> On one of the CBC English spots (on the web site link I gave yesterday)
> there is a clip of a GG documentary and in it you get several "experts"
> chime in on what they figure GG had. There is the guy who figured it
> was aspergers (sp??) syndrome and a psychiatrist said it was mental and
> emotional stuff. Who knows.
>
> I think so called experts make much too much of how artists sway and
> move and bop at their instrument. Did these same experts decide that
> Oscar Peterson must have had a problem with his mind because he hummed
> like a buzz saw, all throughout his career? Who cares if they do that?
> Listen to how he rips up the keys and gives you goosebumps. That's what
> is important. Who cares if they drool, have their eyes roll up into
> their skulls. They just might be caught in an updraft of creative
> power?
>
> Maybe these so called experts have never felt ecstasy at playing a
> musical instrument? How else is a person supposed to "look" or appear
> when they are in an ecstasy? Calm and subdued? Honestly, we should
> honor and respect our musical performers and just let then howl. I can
> still hear Keith Jarrett as he pounds his feet, shouts, howls and
> screeches his way through the immortal "Koln Concert". A rendition that
> his admirers feel is his very best and still moves the heart deeply.
>
> Perhaps what we GG fans need to do is to re-educate the critics and open
> their eyes to other possibilities? The human condition, when it
> encounters music, just makes us act differently. Think of all those
> African tribes that drum themselves into a total frenzy, often enabling
> many of them to enter high shamanic states of trance. What of it? Are
> they freaks? Ok, I'm in a froth now so I better stop.....
>
> Fred
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: f_minor-bounces@email.rutgers.edu
> [mailto:f_minor-bounces@email.rutgers.edu] On Behalf Of Brad Lehman
> Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11:03 AM
> To: f_minor@email.rutgers.edu
> Subject: Re:
> [F_minor]http://archives.radio-canada.ca/arts_culture/musique/dossiers/3
> 09/
>
> Yes, well played. It really gets him sweating, too: how hot was it in
> there with the lights and that coat? I think it's kind of funny how GG
> swings around so much...and the cameraman tries to keep him in the
> shot....
>
> I put on GG's later recording of this piece after watching the
> television version. It's much slower, taking two minutes longer. What
> a difference! I like the drive of that televised performance better.
>
> It's not really "late" Beethoven; B was only 31 when it was published.
> Same year as the so-called "Moonlight" and a bunch of other sonatas.
>
>
> Brad Lehman
>
>
> Houpt, Fred wrote:
> > The first sample on this page "homme au piano" has Glen playing a late
>
> > Beethoven sonata. It is simply spine-tingling. Listen for the power
> > of the fast sections, contrasted with the most loving and delicate
> > aria notes of the solo (voice), sung (played) with such pathos. It is
>
> > a movement to die for and I've never heard it more super charged and
> > exciting.
> >
> > In a word "wow"
> _______________________________________________
> F_minor mailing list
> F_minor@email.rutgers.edu
> https://email.rutgers.edu/mailman/listinfo/f_minor
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
>
> This e-mail may be privileged and/or confidential, and the sender does not
> waive any related rights and obligations.
> Any distribution, use or copying of this e-mail or the information it
> contains by other than an intended recipient is unauthorized.
> If you received this e-mail in error, please advise me (by return e-mail or
> otherwise) immediately.
>
> Ce courrier électronique est confidentiel et protégé. L'expéditeur ne
> renonce pas aux droits et obligations qui s'y rapportent.
> Toute diffusion, utilisation ou copie de ce message ou des renseignements
> qu'il contient par une personne autre que le (les) destinataire(s)
> désigné(s) est interdite.
> Si vous recevez ce courrier électronique par erreur, veuillez m'en aviser
> immédiatement, par retour de courrier électronique ou par un autre moyen.
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> F_minor mailing list
> F_minor@email.rutgers.edu
> https://email.rutgers.edu/mailman/listinfo/f_minor
>
>
--
-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.12
GAT d@ s--:-->--- a20 C+++(++)(++++) !U P+>P++ L>L+ E— W@ N-(N--) !o K>K++
!w O? M+(M++) V? !PS(PS?)(PS+) !PE(PE) Y+ PGP? t* 5 X R>R+ tv++ b+@>b++(b+++)
DI@>DI+ !D(D---)
G++>G+++ e++ h*(h)(h+) !r(r--)(r-) x-
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------
_______________________________________________
F_minor mailing list
F_minor@email.rutgers.edu
https://email.rutgers.edu/mailman/listinfo/f_minor