Bob Draper writes:

>Brendel is quoted as saying  "I used to underestimate Mozart's Sonatas.
>I take everything back...."
>
>This from the man who 15 years ago described Haydn's sonatas as "without
>peers" is a surprising development indeed.

It's only surprising if we assume that a person's preferences, tastes, and
level of admiration for a bodies of musical works never change.  I think
it's great that a mature artist is willing to re-think his/her opinions
about particular works.  It's called "growth", and it's a natural process
as long as the individual does not insist on stagnation.  And, I expect
that most of us want great artists to keep thinking about the works in
their repertoire and expand on the repertoire as well.

Also, Brendel might well continue to feel that Haydn's sonatas are "without
peers".  A higher opinion of music of Mozart's doesn't mean that the
opinion of Haydn's music goes downward unless you're a graduate of the Bob
Draper School of Music Appreciation.

Speaking of graduating, every so often I find an e-mail in my box from a
source advertising 4-year, Master's, and PHD diplomas which can be obtained
"real quick" and will confer on the recipient the respect and admiration
everyone would like to have.  This source's most recent e-mail to me has
upped the ante in that it now states, "You deserve this diploma for what
you already know".  There's some truth to that.  I think I'll order 3 PHD's
and be the envy of everyone in my neighborhood; of course, one PHD will
have to be in the field of music.  Once I have that particular degree, I'll
be an Artist, not just a mere *listener*.

Don Satz
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