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RE: Bizarre twist in musical taste (long)

That rigidity in classical playing is actually quite recent. With a few exceptions, notably the music of Bach, players of the baroque and early classical eras were *not* expect to play the music as it was written. It was partly extemporized by the performer and as late as Moart, concerti even had a spot for extemporization built in. Even in the late 19th century, it was considered OK to arrange music to take advantage of new instrumental possibilities. When Brahms recorded his famous cylinder, he didn't play his music as written. And the great composers were great improvisers. Tales of Bach's improvisations, or Beethoven's, astound. Bach could improvise a six part fugue. Beethoven regularly improvised with such power that he reduced the audience to tears.

It's only recently that classical music has become a dry, dessicated, museum piece. Once, it lived and breathed.


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