There is No Middle of the Road in Art

Great works of art and great performances are never middle of the road.

Some of my favorite performers, like Richter and Argerich, also elicit my most negative reactions. Rudolf Serkin's concerts were incredible or disastrous, but rarely mediocre. Beethoven has a large collection of worthless compositions. So does Mozart.

This is the nature of real art: this is my world and to hell with you if you don't like it. The artist doesn't aim to please but to create -- even if the creation polarizes, offends, or falls apart completely. 

 

Comments

[Daniel]

Excellent Post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Mark Germine, MD]

Hello. I am a so-so pianist but do compose music in a neo-classical instrumental style using hynosis with another keyboard player and projection of listening to the piece in the future. I would love for a good pianist to play and maybe record one or two of my pieces. "Where Storms Graze" and "The Morning After" are my best pieces. But its hard to get the word our, or to know if my music is worthwhile without a pianist or audience. They are too complex for me to play myself. I compose electronically, not by performance. Look up:

http://www.myspace.com/trailoftearstrilogy/music/playlists/trail-of-tears-trilogy-s-playlist-1206772

mgermine

[Immortal Beloved]

For I am a pianist and enjoyed your blog very much. Please write more, and I appreciate you taking to time to write about Beethoven. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

[Matt]

Thank you for your comments Immortal! I hope you come back for more or add me to your blog rss feed.

[Matt]

Thanks Daniel!