On 10 Apr 2008 at 18:08, Ray Osnato wrote:

> Of the Bartok 2nd Violin Concerto, [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>>I'm not  sure that I can give Ravi any sage advice, apart from simply
>>to listen to each moment as it comes ...
>
> Very true -- all one can do is listen.  Empty your mind of
>all expectations and of all music you've heard before (not an
>easy task) and let the music take shape in your consciousness
>on its own terms.  My own personal opinion is this is how you
>should listen to ALL music, but that is another e-mail.

I don't see that there is anything wrong in not liking, in my case,
most of Bartok's music.  I've listened to a lot of it over the years
with a semi-open mind.  I like some of his solo piano music and the
strings/percussion/celesta piece thanks to a fine performance at Disney
Hall by Berlin and Rattle in 2003.  The rest of it, especially the stuff
heavy on the strings has the sharp taste of just-spoiled milk.  It sets
my teeth on edge.  I can put up with it when there's something better
on either side of the program but I'm not going to seek it out.  The
empty mind approach is often suggested, especially in pre-concert talks
(and especially when new music is involved,) but I have no idea how to
do it or if I even should.

I'd hate to think of a world without Haydn or Schubert, though.

--- Ravi

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