Chris Bonds wrote:

>Perhaps there should be an equation between talent and compensation but
>the reality of the world is that there is not.  We would see the world
>more clearly if we understand that compensation is often as much a product
>of image-building as it is talent.  Image-building is necessary
>in order to sell the CM product these days.

Image-building was different in past days, but I think it was still highly
advantageous for artists.  The public's identification with an artist has
always been significant.  Of course, we now have highly sophisticated
models of image-building with experts professionally dedicated to lifting
artists out of obscurity.

Concerning current artists, I offer the pianists Evgeni Kissin and
Marc-Andre Hamelin.  Critical acclaim for Hamelin is probably greater
than that for Kissin.  Yet, Kissin has the "name" appeal because he has
been marketed very well.  I suppose it's a given that artists who are
conventional in personality, want to be left alone, and refuse the image
build-up will find themselves in the environment they desire.

Don Satz
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