Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica America - Classical harmonica fusion

["Jason M. Kays" <kays@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As one classically trained on the trumpet, I feel I have some insight
concerning this thread and the responses it has inspired.  

I am amused to no end with the casual use of appellations like
"classical" and "intellectual" in reference to musical genres.  Just
as in the visual arts in referencing various periods and movements,
labels such as Realism, Naturalism, Abstract Expressionism,
Neo-Classicism, and Rococo are just that, "labels" used
retrospectively, most often by art critics, to simplify the task of
praising, condemning or segregating.  Or to avoid the task altogether.

The individual artistic styles that comprise and define these
respective periods were, at the time, not infrequently met with
derision and perceived as anything but "classical": not unlike the
Blues and Jazz genres of music.  Both genres are two of the genuine
art forms native to the United States.  Jazz and Blues and their
sub-genres are the very definition of 'classical' music.  That their
music is not regarded as "intellectual" would not be well received by
the likes of Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Blind Lemon Jefferson,
Duke Ellington, BB King, and Charlie Parker.  The intellectual value
of music is not limited to technical or compositional complexity.  The
intellectual merit in music, as in any art form, is found in the
nuance, not the literal.  Or, as Miles Davis might say, 'It is in the
notes NOT played.'

Sincerely submitted,

Jason Kays

Jason M. Kays
Attorney at Law
420 Hastings Avenue
Port Townsend, WA  98368

kays@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Pierre <plavio@xxxx> wrote:
> 
> I have to find new ways to
> > approach the business because the public at large is being told
that they
> > will not only not like "classical" music,
> 
> Huh? who is "telling" what?
> 
> but also they will not be
> > 'whole' without the new Brittany CD!
> 
> Did you mean Britney?</snip>


</snip>
> > My only hope is that trends will swing back to more intellectual
endeavors
> > and I can go back to recording the major works for Harmonica and
> > Orchestra.
> >
> > Harmonically yours,
> >
> > Robert Bonfiglio
> > http://www.robertbonfiglio.com