I suppose the first question should be whether or not there exist some objective standards for performance. I'd say there must be because before that professional ascends to the stage, he has passed countless auditions, placed highly or won many competitions. All were judged. Are "judges" so different, then, than critics?
Consensus and time are the critical facets. If an overwhelming number of critics think a performer is excellent, I'd argue the likelihood is high. Similarly, if the performer gathers this praise over a number of years, if he shows this excellence consistently, that also is important. Lastly, if several generations of critics consider that person of great merit, I think the evidence is overwhelming. Certainly, that doesn't mean I'm going to like his style or interpretation--- but I can appreciate the talent, as I do the skill of Gulda.
Of course, no matter how great an artist, no matter how enormous the legend or reputation, there will always be individuals that blast him as overrated or of minor talent. Contrariness or just idiosyncrasy aren't unknown characteristics among appreciators of any art form.
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Topic - Are music critics to be ignored? - tinear 07:43:50 11/16/14 (70)
- RE: Are music critics to be ignored? - goldenthal 17:30:23 11/23/14 (0)
- RE: Are music critics to be ignored? - learsfool 21:54:07 11/17/14 (0)
- reminds me of this - Penguin 20:52:26 11/16/14 (2)
- Milton was a genius. Thanks! nt - tinear 08:12:47 11/17/14 (1)
- Milton? What's that have to do with... - musetap 21:50:46 11/20/14 (0)
- Some are, some aren't * - Mike K 20:27:28 11/16/14 (0)
- RE: Are music critics to be ignored? - Diogenes 13:49:52 11/16/14 (0)
- My 2 cents, with an example (a bit long) - rbolaw 11:24:35 11/16/14 (38)
- I'd say you're missing the point of criticism: of course it's about judging the performance! - tinear 20:24:26 11/16/14 (34)
- RE: I'd say you're missing the point of criticism: of course it's about judging the performance! - goldenthal 17:35:52 11/23/14 (0)
- RE: I'd say you're missing the point of criticism: of course it's about judging the performance! - David Smith 20:56:54 11/16/14 (32)
- "…a critic is not a judge." Really? Pray, visit the last sentence in the text. - tinear 08:21:46 11/17/14 (6)
- Sorry, tin - these days, music critics are mostly entertainers - Chris from Lafayette 09:50:16 11/17/14 (2)
- Straw men are fun to burn! Re-read my posts. I say nothing you address. nt - tinear 12:38:28 11/17/14 (1)
- I think you should re-read your posts yourself. . . - Chris from Lafayette 14:07:54 11/17/14 (0)
- You're welcome to believe whatever you want and revere critics as you wish. nt - David Smith 09:07:31 11/17/14 (2)
- Well, thank you! I trust your petard didn't damage you too much. nt - tinear 12:40:50 11/17/14 (1)
- It's not nice to imply that others are petarded. * - D Harvey 15:13:05 11/17/14 (0)
- Yes. Notice the quote from Virgil Thomson - rbolaw 07:11:23 11/17/14 (24)
- That Thomson quote seems ridiculous to me. - Rick W 10:40:48 11/17/14 (19)
- Not to me... - Jim Treanor 17:34:46 11/17/14 (6)
- Huh? So because some "qualified" criticism is off base......... - Rick W 11:09:10 11/18/14 (5)
- You're just trolling here, Rick. - Jim Treanor 16:18:09 11/18/14 (4)
- Pertinent to what? - Rick W 19:54:23 11/18/14 (3)
- RE: Pertinent to what? - Jim Treanor 11:26:29 11/19/14 (2)
- Dunno about that one, but I'm gonna get the Slonimsky. Thanks. nt - Rick W 13:29:38 11/19/14 (1)
- I was thinking the same. - D Harvey 09:46:51 11/20/14 (0)
- But Rick - that's just the reality of the situation - Chris from Lafayette 14:32:50 11/17/14 (7)
- I'm not disputing "reality", I'm just arguing against Thomson's view that........ - Rick W 10:10:55 11/18/14 (4)
- "Its just turd polishing" - Yup, that's what it is sometimes [nt] - Chris from Lafayette 11:14:12 11/18/14 (0)
- RE: I'm not disputing "reality", I'm just arguing against Thomson's view that........ - rbolaw 11:09:35 11/18/14 (2)
- Hmm, then you're expressing what he meant better than he did. - Rick W 12:53:49 11/18/14 (1)
- Well, I'm not being ... - rbolaw 13:14:53 11/18/14 (0)
- Alex Ross - rbolaw 16:02:41 11/17/14 (1)
- Yes - I think that's what tin is looking for. . . - Chris from Lafayette 19:01:57 11/17/14 (0)
- But keep in mind ... - rbolaw 12:44:44 11/17/14 (3)
- Bad examples. - Rick W 13:09:48 11/17/14 (2)
- Hah! Good examples. - rbolaw 13:28:11 11/17/14 (1)
- RE: Hah! Good examples. - Rick W 13:51:40 11/17/14 (0)
- Bollocks. Artists have a reason to fear critics and disparage them. A good critic hardly - tinear 08:27:16 11/17/14 (3)
- There are no qualifications for becoming a critic. None. - David Smith 09:10:12 11/17/14 (1)
- Sounds like "The Audio Critic" - D Harvey 13:41:49 11/17/14 (0)
- "good critics are professionals" - Chris from Lafayette 08:52:51 11/17/14 (0)
- I once read a music review in an audio magazine - jedrider 13:52:54 11/16/14 (0)
- Nice. - D Harvey 11:52:52 11/16/14 (0)
- Great post. nt - David Smith 11:35:30 11/16/14 (0)
- RE: Are music critics to be ignored? - fantja 10:29:46 11/16/14 (0)
- Huh? - Amphissa 10:28:17 11/16/14 (4)
- All true. - rbolaw 13:04:09 11/17/14 (0)
- So why do so many greatly successful contest winners end up forgotten and the musicians that - tinear 08:32:22 11/17/14 (2)
- RE: So why do so many greatly successful contest winners end up forgotten and the musicians that - Analog Scott 16:25:23 11/17/14 (1)
- Performance critics vs. music critics - gregsgoatfarm 16:53:53 11/17/14 (0)
- RE: Are music critics to be ignored? - Jim Treanor 09:58:38 11/16/14 (0)
- Critics are generally hired for their writing "skills" - not their musical knowledge - Chris from Lafayette 09:55:52 11/16/14 (2)
- RE: Critics are generally hired for their writing "skills" - not their musical knowledge - Pat D 14:11:31 11/18/14 (1)
- RE: Critics are generally hired for their writing "skills" - not their musical knowledge - Chris from Lafayette 00:46:46 11/19/14 (0)
- Should Be Used As a Guide.......... - Todd Krieger 09:26:27 11/16/14 (0)
- RE: Are music critics to be ignored? - Bill Way 09:01:08 11/16/14 (6)
- RE: Are music critics to be ignored? - Analog Scott 09:42:23 11/16/14 (0)
- RE: Are music critics to be ignored? - bald2 09:39:45 11/16/14 (4)
- Lang Lang - Bill Way 09:58:58 11/16/14 (0)
- let's keep it real - Analog Scott 09:53:07 11/16/14 (1)
- RE: let's keep it real - bald2 10:09:34 11/16/14 (0)
- I had that same experience! - Chris from Lafayette 09:47:32 11/16/14 (0)
- Music is too personal - Awe-d-o-file 09:00:33 11/16/14 (0)
- Critics should be taken for what they are, critics. - David Smith 07:57:58 11/16/14 (4)
- Isn't that a tad… obvious? My point is that critical opinion over time, - tinear 20:12:49 11/16/14 (3)
- RE: Isn't that a tad… obvious? My point is that critical opinion over time, - David Smith 21:04:37 11/16/14 (2)
- Absolutely right - Chris from Lafayette 21:41:03 11/16/14 (1)
- Yes. It's also a bit strange, imo. - rbolaw 07:56:32 11/17/14 (0)