From: Alex Honzen
Subject: Jerome Hines and "Modern" Music/Art
To: vocalist-at-lists.oulu.fi
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

I've noticed some discussion in the past about Jerome
Hines' book "The 4 Voices of Man," which I also own.
Coming off of a conversation I was having with a
friend, I thought I would make a post to the list and
see what interested parties of various backgrounds
would think about this.

Basically, in addition to the information on singing
and career that is offered by Hines, he also spends
considerable time later in the book talking rather
contemptuously (or at least dismissively) about what
is referred to as "modern" or abstract music and art.
In one anecdote he talks about putting his foot in his
mouth (without apology) in an early run-in with
composer John Cage. He also talks about a friend's
painter daughter, who he speaks condescendingly of
because she wouldn't give him a "meaning" for her
paintings. His basic take seems to be that these
artists are self-serving (and invalid) because they
"don't care if others understand what they are
creating."

This may not seem to have much to do with singing, but
interpretively, it does. Most frequently performed
operatic works are (with some exceptions) from the 17
or 1800's and are tonal with a linear storyline. This
is also what seems most popular with audiences. I'm
curious to know if a lot of people involved with vocal
music (as I am) have the same attitude Hines seems to
have toward more recent, non-linear and abstracted
trends in the arts. I have my own (strong) reaction
towards his attitude about this, but I don't want to
take up too much bandwidth unless there is additional
discussion. So, I'm just throwing this out there.
__________________________________________________
Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place.
Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com