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Harpsichords and Related Topics

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From:
Andrew Bernard <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Harpsichords and Related Topics <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 8 Jan 2016 12:30:42 +1100
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Hi Michael,

Much as I admire Wanda Landowska – and I do admire her – to use this as the clincher in your argument is philosophically problematic. For who is to say what ‘sounds right’? This is entrely subjective. What sounded right to her in her Pleyel sounds dreadful to many contemporary people. Her musicianship is supreme, but directed in a way that many contemporary players do not find attractive or moving. And so on.

And then, what is ‘right’ or correct? Who is to say?

It’s one of those glib quotes that is memorable and catchy, but empty of value, and the disregard implied toward scholarship is disappointing.

Andrew



On 8/01/2016, 03:13, "Harpsichords and Related Topics on behalf of Michael Brazile" <[log in to unmask] on behalf of [log in to unmask]> wrote:

As Wanda Landowska once told Paul Wolfe, with whom I studied: "If it sounds
right, it IS right, nevermind what the books and the treatises say."


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