Noboru Inoue wrote: >Now, I am considering like this; don't we stop naming Western/Eastern(this >is a funny word, since earth is round!) music or North/South music, instead >of call them music of earth(not necessary calling "universe", so far, until >Martians bring their music to us). Next century, I hope we will start >non-geopolitic and impersonal music(and arts, I contains Haiku) at least >in our mind. There is already a very strong tendency in this direction, of course, and probably it will inevitable strengthen even more, unless the whole world-wide network of electronic communications and transportation disappears. But I am also afraid of regional and national varieties of music getting lost in a world-wide homogeneous blend. Probably a large number of Japanese people, after WW II, felt that the traditional music was associated with the evil of ultra-nationalism, and that impregnating their nation's culture with the "best" of Western music would be a healthy step forward. But if this means neglecting a very special product of one corner of the earth, it is a sad outcome. Narrow nationalisms can be very destructive, as we can see on our front pages every day. But in music, I think, they can only give life, not take it away. Jon Johanning // [log in to unmask]