Damian Oxborough wrote in response to me:

>>The performer serves the composer.
>
>However, at the other end of the scale, much of the music of John Cage
>relies heavily upon the performers' interpretation to the extent that
>(s)he must choose certain pitch values, etc.  I think you would agree that
>in such cases the performer has a more important role than that of servant.

Where did "servant" come into the picture? I serve many clients but am a
servant to none of them.  I can dump a client anytime I like and have often
done so.  The same applies to the performer.

Yes, with Cage, the performer has more of a role than is customary.  But,
that's quite an exception.

I'm going to listen to some music with my wife now.  I bought her for
Hanukah a CD box with cassette player.  It has all kinds of listening
control variations (hall, flat, heavy, sharp, etc.).  Sounds great.  But,
the first thing she said when seeing it was, "it's so big and won't look
good behind the bed".  I reminded her that audio folks don't think in terms
of hiding the equipment.  Although I saw a big argument on the horizon,
once my wife heard the sound from the equipment she quickly changed her
tune and is now very pleased with the gift.  I hope she won't be putting
on Willie Nelson, but it beats watching Oprah Winfrey bore me thoroughly
with her female oriented programs.

Don Satz
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