JasonCable.com

Am I getting that old that I see teenagers as arrogant pukes? I was out with a good friend this weekend and saw first-hand what teenagers are like for the first time in about 9 years. The blind confidence amazed me. Here we had a good kid saying things about how he could make no mistakes on playing music. Hell, Horowitz himself made mistakes in his 1965 concert return and cleaned up some of the pieces before releasing them on vinyl.

I don’t believe in musical perfection. Horowitz is a fine example. I’m sure he had “flawless” performances, but were they great? I always prefer a moving performance over finger and tonally perfect performances. I was a music major, I know these things. I recently purchased on iTunes Elaine Stritch: At Liberty where she recounts her life through song and words. She certainly wasn’t the best singer in the world but she was and still is a great performer. I like great performances. Horowitz knew how to make a Steinway sing and Elaine Stritch (Company) along with Carol Channing (Hello, Dolly!) and Angela Lansbury (Sweeny Todd) all know how to add comedy, tragedy, and soul into their performances. They were and perhaps will always be the best in those roles I have mentioned.

It takes bravery, emotion, and gusto to be a truly great performer. It’s not about perfect pitch or note perfection. It’s about feeling and being one with the music and being able to interpret the intent of the music, not the every note on paper. We get that wrong so often today. Let’s get it right and teach these kids what music really is.

Tags:   angela lansbury · carol channing · elaine stritch · horowitz · music · performanceNo Comments