Q. Why play the same composers every year?
A. Their “warhorses” set the highest standards for performance and what a written “classical” composition can do. If we let go of that standard, we would be without touchstone works that produce that WOW and tears when they land just right. They are also whetstones for the musicians and conductors to sharpen their expressive and technical skills. The Beethoven symphonies are not only exhaustive to perform (thus strengthening musicians skills and stamina), but their expressive subtleties keep the bar, and expectations very high. It would be unreasonable to toss out all that GOLDEN TREASURE. It would be analogous to banning all traditional events at the Olympics.
The best music of Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Shostakovich still work, and ensembles are much more competitive than they let on. And so ensembles balance most programs with new music and overlooked historic composers for contrast. Frequently, however, these non-traditional works fall short of the warhorses’ quality, the cream of the historic crop. And that in turn keeps the warhorses relatively more valuable. Some people reject judgement out of hand. And yet life is short enough that we don’t want to spend too much time listening to mediocre music or ensembles. That’s why we distinguish between not good, good, very good, great, and then masterful.
CutTime® features new music too, but does not expect it to be valued more than the traditional works. Our goal is to use them as tools, as windows, as on-ramps to the key expressions of Schubert and Brahms who created the richest transcendent human statements in the art form. They are mirrors to see ourselves, our humanity, in a dream-like language that may take time to reveal deeper layers. We don’t have to play an instrument to experience their patterns visually or viscerally. Listen repeatedly and imagination will automatically do the work. In private, try singing favorite parts with the track. This is a powerful means for us to learn and express ourselves. A wordless musical narrative will unfold. Music without lyrics can potentially mean more. To sing along, try nonsense syllables like ya-ya-ya, die-die-die, or create your own. These make music very real. Go for it!
